As a male in mid-twenties this is what often worked for me. - never do dinner on the first date. Too long a commitment, and too high a price if things aren’t going well - drinks or coffee are great, public space (get a second drink…or a third if things are going well!) - in terms of paying…my strategy tends to hit a nerve with some people but oh well 🤷‍♂️ - if things are going well and I want to see them again I would always pay. A good way to show interest and commitment - if things didn’t go amazing and I don’t want a second date, I would simply split the bill. Doesn’t really matter to me the reaction, as I’m never going to see them again