Ummm duh! Who's trying to be uncomfortably married lol? Yall kill me with this nonsense. Both people need to be stable on several levels- emotionally, spiritually, and yes, financially.
Folks please get your life in order before dating. Then when you do find someone youll be able to spend the suggested 20 on the girl you claim you like but wont take out because 10 of that 20 would go towards her.
Folks please understand that if 10 is too much, for whatever reason, for you to spend on someone then its best not to ask them out. The only thing worse than #wastehistime is #wasteyourowntime
If everyone had to wait to be stable/life in order, no one would date. But I understand the point you're making.
I've never let a man pay for me on the first date. I've always gone dutch.
For long term relationships, sometimes the guy will pay for dinner, I'll pay for breakfast. Sometimes vice versa.
For those who are insistent on paying for everything, I cover the tip -- and I make sure it's generous.
My philosophy boils down to 'I am independent and I own myself.' I'm not worried about how much he spends. I'm worried about:
- how does he treat me? does he walk ahead, behind, beside? does he look me in the eye? is he there, or elsewhere?
- what does he talk most about? himself, his family, his goals, his dreams, his ex, his current? sex? us?
- how is his driving? is he a safe driver or reckless? can he concentrate with a hand down his front? does he obey traffic laws? does he run yellow lights?
- what is the condition of the inside of his car? (not the car itself) his home? (again, not the home itself)
- how does he treat other people? staff? his friends? his family? animals?
(this is the biggest one) a man who treats you like gold but everyone else like shyt is fronting and needs to be avoided.
- does he notice things? what is his reaction when he notices them? (this applies to interracial as well as same race)
- does he drink? if he drinks, how much does he consume, and what does he consume? can he hold his liquor?
- does he smoke? is it casual or is he unable to function without a twig in his hands or mouth? how does he treat the ash?
- is his phone on or off?
- since all people lie, what are the nature of his lies? (each woman's threshold, like each man's, is different.)
All of this is more important than how much is spent on an initial date. Again, brehs, a woman has made up her mind within 3 seconds of meeting you about where she wants you to fit in her life. Spending a bill isn't going to budge that. Your chemistry with her is what gets you in or out.
OP do you really want this girl, or is she merely a challenge to be bartered down now that she's told you the price of her time? Do what you want, but realize no fruit is sweeter than the plum which can't be obtained, no flesh more bitter than the worms infesting it all along.