The Economic Transactions of Dating (open discussion)

This is a member-suggested topic specifically on: Dating as an economic transaction: when love becomes a marketplace. Shortened the event title above for simplicity. If you have any topic suggestions of your own, please send them my way and we'll make it happen. This is a casual discussion event open to all views and perspectives. Respect for others is a must (or at least try).

There are many unwritten expectations when it comes the dating world. If you are dating online there is a healthy exchange of messages that will begin first, followed by the appropriate moment to meet in person. The place, time and general atmosphere come with certain expectations, and if we’re going to call it a first date, there’s the question many would wish perhaps the rules should be written: Who pays on the first date?

The beginning of a new relationship begins with some degree of an economic transaction, and this may continue throughout an entire relationship. Should the dynamics of the economic transactions define the relationship? Is this part of what makes two people compatible with each other?

This can extend beyond dating and for any friendship or relationship. For some people who text back and forth, it can feel imbalanced if only one person initiates all of the texts, or calls, or asks to hang out. In some friendships when they go out for dinner or drinks, one person may offer to pay, with an unspoken expectation that “you’ll get the next one”. On one level this creates the opening to hang out again in the future, but there is an economic transaction that is always occurring with friendships like these, where both are expected to keep up.

This could go in many other directions but we’ll leave it here and see where this takes us. What are your thoughts? Come join us for a fun discussion!

Rule Of Etiquette: The goal is to have a productive free-flowing discussion, while also giving everyone a fair chance to participate accordingly. If you have any trouble getting a word in, please use the "Raise Hand" feature. We have a loosely enforced 3 minute timer but please be mindful of your time and the number of people waiting, and know that you can always put yourself back in the rotation for additional talking points. It is also encouraged to engage with others on your turn so that we can have more of a free-flowing dialog, rather than each of us just taking turns on our soap boxes.

Hope you can join us!