It’s 2024, and we’re all about equality, right? But when it comes to dating, there’s still that unwritten rule that the guy should always foot the bill. I’ve seen this play out countless times in Lagos, and honestly, it’s about time. It’s common knowledge that the country isn’t getting easier for any gender.
Just the other day, I witnessed something that left me speechless. I was having brunch at this bougie spot in Lekki when I overheard a couple at the next table. The lady had ordered all the expensive stuff on the menu without a care in the world. When the bill came, she casually pushed it towards her date, clearly expecting him to handle it. To my surprise yet delight, he suggested splitting the bill. You should have seen the look on her face! She became insistent, arguing that it was the man’s responsibility to foot the bill. The man reminded her that the date was her idea and it’s only fair that she bears some of the cost. I wish I stayed to see how it all went down but I really hope they didn’t break each other’s heads.
This incident made me reflect on my own relationship and how we handle our finances. I realized I’d never really considered the implications of always expecting the other person to foot the bill. It wasn’t until a few weeks later that I had my own eye-opening experience as I decided to treat my boyfriend to a fancy dinner, feeling like a boss babe. “Babe, tonight’s on me!” I declared confidently. But when the bill arrived, my eyes nearly popped out of my head. I blamed myself for not checking out the menu on their Insta before choosing to visit.
Yes, you guessed right. We settled to split the bill, thanks to our gomoney app. I wasn’t about to lose all the money in my wallet because of man – or food. Although, I have to give to my man for being such a kind soul. No tension, no awkwardness. Just a few taps and the bill was sorted. He had even offered to pay for the whole thing but I insisted on splitting the bill. The universe was definitely in my corner that day.
This not-so-funny yet hilarious experience changed everything finance in my relationship. From having real talks about our monthly income and budget, to documenting our money goals, and practical ways we could support each other, we left nothing on the table. We even began exploring the gomoney app to save for specific individual & collective short-term goals. and monitor monthly expenses. Now, we plan our outings and ensure that our budget fits the restaurant. If it doesn’t, we simply pass.
Splitting the bills with your partner might feel weird at first, but trust me, it always changes the game. As a matter of fact, by sharing responsibilities, you’re laying a solid foundation for a lasting relationship. It’s about time we moved past the conventional expectation that men should always foot the bill. Romantic relationships involve two people and both parties should be able to reach a consensus on how best to handle certain situations without external influence, it’s a win-win at the end of the day.
This really goes beyond splitting bills; it’s two people making a deliberate effort to build a healthy financial partnership especially when marriage is in view and financial education is key to achieving this. As you already know, bills don’t ever get easier but with banking apps like gomoney, you can adequately plan your money as you should.