Great point! When I was playing around with dating apps 9 years ago, I was surprised when a woman got upset after I asked for separate bills.

I didn't see why I should treat someone I'd never met to dinner. The whole date felt awkward – she ordered the priciest stuff on the menu! Well, everyone's free to order what they want – and pay for it.

Afterwards, I asked friends about it. They laughed and said, "Welcome to American dating culture, especially on apps like Tinder."

I wasn't a fan. When I grew up in the '80s, dating meant you already knew the person. At some point, if there was a spark, the guy would ask the girl on a proper date, often a fancy dinner.

His intentions were clear. He's not taking her somewhere expensive just to be friends – there's romantic interest!

In small-town life, a woman could get a reputation. If she's just using a guy for a free meal, word gets around.

So, she had a strong incentive to be upfront: "Sorry, let's just be friends. How about a cheap place to hang out?"

Of course, she'd offer to pay her share, though he probably won't let her. But that's another issue.

This "Tinder Culture" is pretty messed up. "Foodie call" is spot on.

My takeaway: If I don't know the person, a walk in the park first lets me check for chemistry. Those just after a free meal will bail, since they have different goals.

My advice: Vet your Tinder matches with a few park walks and conversations, then decide if it's worth a real US-style date.