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While the Japanese language doesn’t assign any national descriptor to the practice, it does indeed have a phrase for “going Dutch:” warikan, which translates literally to “divided bill.” And of course, if Japanese society has a phrase for splitting the bill, some people also find themselves asking if it’s OK to do so on a date.
Popular messaging app Line’s electronic payment Line Pay division recently polled 35,915 of its users between the ages of 20 and 39, asking them who pays on their dates and how they feel about it. Starting off with a question for just the ladies (17,886 of whom responded), the survey asked how they felt about splitting the bill on a date, and found that the vast majority were OK with the idea.
● Splitting the bill evenly is OK: 69 percent of female respondents
● I want the guy to pay for everything or more than half: 25 percent
● I want to pay for more than half: 3 percent
The idea of splitting a bill in a non-50:50 ratio might seem kind of odd, but it’s not entirely unheard of in Japan. With so many restaurants also serving a wide variety of alcohol, it’s not unusual for a couple out on a date to consume several adult beverages, but often with the guy knocking back more rounds than the girl. Because of that, sometimes a guy who’s feeling slightly generous (or perhaps self-conscious about paying for everything if the relationship isn’t serious yet) will offer to pay more than half, in recognition that a large part of the bill reflects things that he ordered for his own enjoyment.
But while many of the women in the survey said they’re OK with going Dutch, when the survey asked the 18,029 men how things actually shake out on their dates, the result showed that even splits aren’t all that common, as the guys described the way their bills are settled as:
● I pay for everything: 52 percent
● I pay more than half: 38 percent
● We split the bill evenly: 6 percent
● She pays for everything or more than half: 1 percent
● Other: 3 percent
Those displays of largesse aren’t something all of the men really want to do, however. When the survey asked the guys who pay for everything or more than half how they actually feel, they said:
● I want to pay for everything/more than half: 60 percent
● I actually want to split the bill evenly: 14 percent
● I actually want her to pay something, but less than half: 11 percent
● I actually want her to pay for everything: 2 percent
● Other: 13 percent
Looking at the numbers, it seems like the 25-plus percent of guys who’re unhappy about paying for so much of the date might actually have a pretty good chance of their date being receptive to the idea of going Dutch. However, it’s important to bear in mind that the survey was done by Line Pay polling its users, and that one way the app is being marketed is by showing how easy it is to use for splitting restaurant bills. Here’s one highlighting what a pain it is having to split a bill using cash, because of things like needing exact change, some people needing to leave in a rush, and a host of other reasons.
It’s likely that Line Pay users themselves, statistically, are more receptive to the idea of splitting bills, and downloaded the app specifically to make that part of their lives easier. Because of that, Japanese women as a whole might be less accepting to going Dutch than the 69 percent of the women in the survey who said they’re OK with it, so if you’re a guy taking a girl out in Japan, it’d probably be best to be mentally prepared to pick up the entire tab, at least early on in the relationship.
Source: Line
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- External Link
- https://soranews24.com/2018/12/12/how-do-japanese-women-feel-about-going-dutch-on-a-date-survey-investigates-finds-gap/
23 Comments
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lostrune2
That's what I suggest that pretty much guarantees a 2nd date
Kangaesugi
If it's the first date, and particularly if I'm not feeling a connection, I'll pay half. I don't want a guy acting like I owe him something because he paid for the date. If it goes further than that, then I'd say the person who invites pays, or take it in turns.
philly1
To pay my own way enables me to maintain an equitable balance of power in the relationship without thinking that since he has paid he thinks he'll get laid. I don't like to attribute motives like that to other people, and this way I don't have to second guess whether or not he is after something.
If I am asking for advice or consulting the person in some way, I take the initiative to pay out of gratitude for his time and opinion on the matter.
If he expresses that he would like to pick up the cheque for some reason, I listen respectfully and usually accept. However, I make that acceptance conditional: I will accept the kindness provided that he will allow me to pay next time.
I like to keep things on an equal footing for both of us.
Darren
Globally it is now the age of women so expect women in best and highest paid jobs . Also women are high percentage college grads and the UN agenda 21 wants it that way.
CaptDingleheimer
Fellas. It's simple. Wanna increase your chances of getting laid?
Pay the darn bill.
lostrune2
If ya show the lady the best time, she'll pay ;-)
Serrano
"She pays for everything or more than half: 1 percent"
So only 1% of the guys are smart. Tee hee!
Actually I agree with Reese here. If you ask her out you pay her way. If the guy has a financial problem, if the girl cares for him at all, she'll help out with the bill.
"When I feel like a girl is only using me as a meal ticket I'll suggest splitting the bill when the check comes."
If you invited her out, you pay her way. If you feel she's just using you, don't invite her out again.
Commercial: Bill - 394,632 yen. hahahahahahahahahaha
Even funnier is when the collected money falls into the nabe pot, hahahahahahahahahahahah
Chico3
Good commercial!
kurisupisu
I got paid for by some ladies the other day and I want complaining at all...,,,
Andrew Crisp
The person who does the asking out pays the bill
tokyo-star
so is the reverse true: if she suggests a time to hang out, is it on her? or is the maximum outlay just "halves"?
Chico3
I agree with that.
I also agree with that and then that's it for that relationship.
Chico3
Depends on the relationship and who's doing the inviting. In general, I just go with the flow and enjoy the date. If she pulls her wallet, then I will pull mine anyway. Most of the time, either I'll pay or we pay for our own. I wouldn't use the word "want to pay" or "expect to pay." In my case, more like "offer to pay."
The loser percentage, IMO.
Reese
peoplethesedays nice explanation but way too complicated.
If you ask her out, you pay her way.
peoplethesedays
As bold as it may sound, the premise "I pay for everything" is engraved with a "I expect something in return"
In this case, if a man pays for everything in a date, at the end of it he is "entitled" to receive something in return: most of the cases, sex.
The women expecting for the men to pay for everything are basically selling their time and implying their time is more valuable than the men they're dating. That's obviously not fair.
As the ever existing earning gaps thrive in this Economy, one of the most viable options IMO would be for the female to contribute a little given her capabilities. The next step would be for the male to accept or not this gesture.
In most cases I wouldn't accept any contributions from the female counterpart, but at least it's nice to see when they try to be "not-divas".
As men are not "entitled" to sex while paying in a date. Women are not "entitled" to freebies. But it's great to have a good balance, or a good intention.
timeon
If it is the first date with somebody I am romantically interested with, I always pay. Once we are in a relationship, we either take turns, or we split the bill, but I usually do pay more.
sf2k
Popular in Montreal to have separate bills entirely but I can stand corrected on that
Madden
When I feel like a girl is only using me as a meal ticket I'll suggest splitting the bill when the check comes.
Bintaro
Why do I never meet anyone like that ?
Wallace Fred
Sharing is caring. Some prefer taking turns too.
thepersoniamnow
I always pay and she always smiles.