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How much money should you spend on a first date?

I actually went out with a woman the other day and we bought coffees then went to sit in a park to chat for a cpl of hours. I paid for the coffees (like $12 total for both).

First dates are supposed to be simple, so coffee and park casual situation is great. You can spend the time to assess the other person with no financial pressures. If I got to go on more dates that once every 5 yrs it'd be the go-to.

Anyway I got the impression she was angling to get sex basically straight away from her attitude and approach and near the end she invited me back to her house (a brand new one she had built apparently).

I've msg'd her since and basically said I need time to think on it as I found the experience very confronting being my first real date in close to 5 yrs. Not even really a 'date' I guess - just a 'see what we think of each other in person' catch-up.

I didn't hold hands with her, but we had a quick hug at the end when we both had to leave because of things we actually had to do (which was good as it put a time limit in place).

Would I see her again? I don't know. I haven't been on dates with anyone in years, and to get hints that it's leading to sex on the first meetup is not in my playbook as any sort of 'safe' interaction. She was wearing a lot of expensive bling too which sort of put me off.

Being very scared of sex and intimacy and being neuro-atypical plus demi-sexual means without a good connection I can't do sex in any way that would be enjoyable.

In the end, I was getting the 'ick' (and a sore bum from sitting on an aluminium park bench for ages).
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Nick1 · 61-69, M
It seems like you did ok. She likes you. Probably you should put aside your reservation and open up a little more. She seems ok. If she has brand new house that means she is financially independent. Don’t let her wait too long. Keep communicating with her.
Good luck.
zonavar68 · 56-60, M
@Nick1 I sent her a message today explaining about how our interactions have re-triggered all my fears about dating, romance, intimacy, etc. so she's not left in the dark. Just thinking that we could have ended up having sex freaks me out. Esp because I would have to tell her I cannot enjoy receiving oral if it got to that point and I'd need a lot of help, guidance, encouragement, and support to be sexual again after so long in order to be able to feel comfortable with any level of intimacy.
Nick1 · 61-69, M
@zonavar68 That is good. Hope she understands and helps you overcome your hesitation. At least you kept communication open. Good luck.
zonavar68 · 56-60, M
@Nick1 Thanks. I thought after 8 years since leaving my second ex I could do it again, but I guess I can't. I'm so super-aware of risks to my actual, emotional, and financial safety now.

Oddly the women reached out to me via Bumble where I still have an active but rarely ever used/accessed profile. I learn early on years ago when online dating actually kind of worked before spam/AI bots took over to instantly treat all unsolicited contacts as highly suspicious until proven otherwise. This one is a real genuine person but I can't overcome the fears about what happened in past relationships (not yet, maybe never).
Nick1 · 61-69, M
@zonavar68 I understand it all well. I am on same boat. At least you took first step.