So Should You Pick Up the Check?
by Natalie Pace.
Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher
Fortunately, thanks to the hard work of the women who have come before us, American women are free, free, free to get an education and get pretty much any job we desire, so, thankfully, many of us can afford to pick up our own checks. But should you? Or should you politely excuse yourself to the powder room just before the check arrives, to allow him to make the choice? Should you discuss it beforehand? Should you take charge and just snatch the bill before he does? As if procreating the species and having a monthly period wasn't hard enough, now we have to figure out an entirely new mating dance! Who picks up the check?!!
The question really isn't whether or not you should pick up the check. The question is: what kind of relationship are you interested in? Once you are in a relationship, you'll be giving your hot guy a say in a lot of things, but when you are just dating, your job is simple. You need to pick the right dream guy so your time together doesn't become a nightmare. Now, picking up the check (or not) sends a relationship signal to your date early on about the kind of relationship that you are interested in. So be sure that you are smart about the message you send, so that you are setting yourself up for the relationship you truly desire!
Are you more of a Demi, a Princess Di or a Hillary?
Girls Who Pick Up.
* Do you like treating your friends to a good time?
* Are you so wealthy that the only guy who can pick up your check is Stavros Niarchos III?
* Do you own your own Gulfstream jet?
Let's face it. Britney Spears could have dated one of the Google founders, if she wanted to play Grace Kelly in the relationship. Whether it was a conscious choice or not, she picked a dancer to be her husband and the father of her son. Since the goal is to be sexy, sassy, smart and happy, make sure you make your choices before you start drinking! If you have more money than the Queen of England (like J.K. Rowling does), or have a dream job that you want to place first in the relationship, and/or are looking for someone to play a supportive role to you, then, by all means, reach for the check (with all of the femininity that you desire to summon) on ALL of your first dates.
The challenge of a woman who rules the roost in a relationship is finding a great guy and not just a leech who is fawning all over you because he can't afford his own cover charge! Demi Moore didn't do so badly with Ashton!!
Girls Who Are Provided For.
American girls are doing pretty well in the Queen department. Grace Kelly, the Queen of Monaco and Princess Caroline's mother, was an American actress when Prince Rainier came calling. Queen Noor of Jordan, originally of California, was a Princeton graduate who dreamed of working in the Peace Corps when King Hussein asked her to marry him.
Queen Noor chairs the first meeting of KHF Board of Trustees, June 30, 1999.
Queen Noor is now one of the most important voices for peace in the world, and, even more importantly, in the Middle East. She is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hussein Foundation, proving that playing a supportive role to a great man is not such a bad gig. (Note: a great partner is the key in all of these scenarios.)
Girls Who Want an Equal Partnership (and Pick Up the Check Sometimes)
Politics aside, you have to admire the strength of the Clinton's marriage and relationship. (It can be argued that Hillary picked a great, horny man. She's been quoted as saying, "It's hard to keep an old dog on the porch.") During his Presidency, Bill Clinton gave Hillary more power and influence than any other First Lady in history. She leveraged that into winning a seat in the Senate, and is now a leading Presidential contender for the next Democratic primary, with one of the most popular and powerful world leaders as her biggest cheerleader!
So, to pay or not to pay is an important choice! But, the most important decision you'll ever make isn't who pays, but picking a great partner. Brokers and Lovers: It pays to pick a good one, regardless of who buys lunch.
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