‘He wants to go Dutch but expects me to doll up’: Singapore woman questions dating double standards

A Singaporean woman has questioned the expectation for women to spend hours preparing for dates when the men she meets insist on splitting the bill equally. The issue was raised on a Reddit thread discussing dating experiences in Singapore. The woman shared that some men she went out with had told her to put more effort into her appearance, even for casual outings like walks at East Coast Park or nearby nature parks.

She explained that her usual preparation already included basic items like lip balm, an eyebrow pencil, and sunscreen, and that she rarely used foundation due to Singapore's hot weather. The woman highlighted the seeming contradiction between the expectation for women to dress up and the principle of equality in relationships. She posed a hypothetical scenario involving a man named Mark, who insists on splitting the bill.

In the scenario, Mark tells his date that he always splits the check, and she wonders why she should spend hours preparing for a date when he will likely show up in casual clothes. When Mark asks if she prepared for the date, she points out that she views this as an issue of equality. He responds that dressing up is different, and women like dressing up, while women should enjoy feeling beautiful but also value being themselves.

The post generated mixed reactions, with some users arguing that both parties should make an effort for a date, while others felt that both sides should put in some effort and that dressing up should not be treated as an obligation tied to who pays for the meal.