On a first date, is it etiquette to order a fairly low-priced meal?

Question

On a first date, is it etiquette to order a fairly low-priced meal?

Answer 1

I think that is a good rule to go by ...

Answer 2

It depends if you are planning on putting out....I always get the steak and lobster....i'm a s**t...whatever..

Answer 3

Sure, it's great etiquette, especially if it's a first date. Usually these are the things guys look out for, despite us always offering to pay. If we take a girl out on a first date and see that she's ordering the most expensive meal on the menu, it'll definitely make us wonder how expensive it would be to have them as a girlfriend in a long run.

Just wait until the second or third date, then order yourself a nice, expensive meal :)  

Answer 4

You should order a medium priced meal or whatever you feel like eating.  

Ordering an extra-expensive meal either means that you have expensive tastes or that you expect a man to pay with gifts to date you.  Ordering the cheapest thing on the menu means you are uncomfortable, perhaps afraid the man is trying to buy you and you don't want to let him--it shows either a lack of trust or a lack of self-esteem.  

That said, if you have the right attitude about it, you can order whatever you want.  If you are feeling guilty about getting lobster with your steak but you really want some lobster, offer to split it with him.  

The guy picked the restaraunt, and there is no reason to take you someplace expensive on a first date--if he's interesting, he'll get a second date, if he's boring, it won't matter if he spent $200 on the meal, you won't see him again.  If he brought you there, either he has money and doesn't think it is that expensive, or he is treating himself at the same time he is treating you and you should help him have a good time while spending his money.  As long as you aren't spending his money just to see what you can get away with you should be fine.  Ordering more food than you can eat, insisting on champagne, or otherwise throwing money away will make it look like you can be bought and are negotiating over the price.  

Deciding to just have a salad makes it look like you wish you had never agreed to go out and that you are counting down the seconds until the date is over and you can go home.  Deciding to order something other than the grilled chicken makes it look like you are trying to enjoy a fun evening out--and that's the impression that is best to give--that he has a chance with you and that you are a great woman, but he isn't going to win you over with a good cut of meat.

Answer 5

It depends on where you go. If you are uncomfortable with him paying, split the bill. Or make sure you can pay next time.If you go somewhere cheap, order whatever you want.

Answer 6

You should order whatever you like. If its expensive, then its expensive. A first date shouldnt be at a very high priced place. It takes away from getting to know each other. The distractions and whatnot

Answer 7

no, as long as you swallow you can get whatever you want.

Answer 8

Well I wouldn't go around ordering lobster and champagne. But I would definitely not order something cheap that I don't like. Make sure you find something reasonably priced that you like to eat. I agree with everyone else medium to low priced meal is best.

I have gone out on dates where what I really wanted was kind of pricey and I asked the guy if it was okay for me to get something in that price range.  

Answer 9

Yes, don't order the expensive meal.

Answer 10

Traditionally, yes, it's considered proper to order "from the middle", as they say - not too pricey, but not the cheapest.

Answer 11

i would order whatever i would've ordered if i were paying for it myself. if order something that you would not be able to afford, that means you're taking advantage. if you order something really low to try to be nice, that says you dont think you're worth it.

order what you would order in any other circumstance. be yourself.

Answer 12

It depends on where you go and what you feel comfortable doing.  If he decides to take you to somewhere very upscale/high-priced, then order what you like.  You may try to be somewhat humble though to let him know what you are like.

If you are going to a fairly low-priced place, then I would try to order low-priced.

You could also suggest going dutch if you really feel uncomfortable like some people are saying.

Answer 13

yes, order something medium priced.  If your date orders something very expensive or suggests something like that for you, it would be OK to order  something expensive.

But as the others said, it would depend on the type of restaurant too.

Answer 14

It may be etiquette to go 'dutch'. Order what you want.

But otherwise, - order something of appropriate value as your dinner partner, - and finish your food, - if he pays.