Call me picky, but I know what I like.

I have a confession to make: I won’t go on a second date with someone who wants to split the bill on our first date.

I’m not talking about casual coffee dates and drinks – they’re a different story, as it’s easy for one person to buy a round and then the next person to do the same. I’m talking about proper lunch or dinner dates, when someone goes to the effort of asking you out and makes a booking at a gorgeous (and sometimes pricey) venue.

This happened to me recently. When lunch was finished and the bill came, my date pulled his wallet out, placed it on the table and then shot me an expectant look. I smiled politely, of course, then started to rummage through my handbag to find my wallet.

From experience, this is when most dates would insist on paying and tell me to put my wallet away – but that didn’t happen this time.

I put my cash down (even though it was more than half the bill), he placed it in his wallet and took out his Platinum MasterCard. The waitress came over, and he paid. While charging his card, she gave me that little side smirk, as though he was such a gentleman for footing the bill for an expensive lunch.

I thanked him for a nice afternoon, kissed him on the cheek and walked to my car, knowing I never planned on seeing him again; going Dutch on a date just doesn’t do it for me.

So why won’t I date someone who wants to split the bill on the first date?

1. Call me old-fashioned

Despite the Tinder era of dating we’re now in, I still get butterflies in my stomach when someone goes to the effort of arranging a date to try and impress me. It’s classy, it’s timeless, and I don’t see it going out of fashion.

2. No say equals no pay

If I were to ask a guy out and plan a date, I’d expect to pay, as I was the one who did the asking and would be expected to choose the place – but not having a say in the restaurant could leave me with unexpected costs. Therefore, no say equals no pay.