[cylon]

We had a great discussion here a while back where most of the "modern women" were saying the man should pay, it's expected of him, and he's not masculine if he doesn't. That paying was a sign of respect and proper courtship.

There's also the notion that women look to men to be providers, and these days, the closest thing to that is buying stuff.

Then of course there are other women who say "that is stupid and old fashioned, there's probably something wrong with him."

There is also the chance he thinks (this is only if you haven't had some sort of intimacy together) that if you are paying, then it stops being a date and just two friends hanging out, paying their own way. Perhaps he is trying to demonstrate to you that he is very serious about your relationship. Maybe growing up, society told him women only respond to men with money and he's trying to emulate that. Maybe etc.

So guys get tons of conflicting messages. He could be responding to any one of these factors.

Is he arranging the dates with you? Is he choosing where to go? Is he picking you up in his car and driving the both of you there?

If you care about him and its making him happy, then make him happy and let him pay. If you sense he's doing it out of some misplaced obligation, then gently let him know that you are dating him for him and are not interested in his money and then do something "physical" to demonstrate it.