Back in the old days, when men were the primary earners and women were less likely to be able to pay their own way, it became accepted that the man would pick up the bill on dates. However, these days, where a woman is just as able to pay her own way as a man, the practice seems a bit dated, if not obsolete. In some cultures - Scandinavian countries for example - a man assuming that he needs to take care of business on a first date can come across as insulting and more than a little condescending.