“Money can’t buy me love…but it sure know pays the bills around here”-Tamar Braxton

Going out on the first date is all about first impressions—personality, physical appearance, and attitude. But, somewhere along the line—blame it on a schizophrenic economy—finances became a major factor in what makes for a good first date impression. Recently, most of the Twittersphere (that’s the Twitter population at large, for you you non-tweeters) found itself caught in heavy debate: Is $200 too much for a man to spend on the first date. Naturally, the men said yes, with many going as far to say that such an expense shouldn’t be spared if said woman is not a permanent situation, and/or not guaranteed to “put out” at the end of the night.

To the ear, $200 for the first date can seem a bit intense, depending on your geographical location. But anyone in New York, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles knows that $200 for a date can be easily spent. Even if you’re going on the typical (read: BORING) dinner and a movie date—that can easily push over the $100 mark if there are drinks involved. If you’re of the adventurous, exploratory dating kind, then purchasing tickets to a show, going rock climbing, bowling, making pottery, a cooking lesson—paired with a good dinner, that’s not at a chain restaurant (i.e. Chilli’s, T.G.I Fridays, etc.) will easily hit $200, maybe even over that mark.

While an expensive date never hurt anyone, in my experience, it does not serve as an indication of value (I’m priceless), nor is it indicative of my date’s net worth. Remember, a first date is only a determinate if someone is worth your time getting to know. Being impressed simply because a date cost $200 is shallow, and in my opinion, is grounds for a trap—an expensive date is not a plug for character or intent

For me, its about quality, not quantity—which is how most of the women responded during the “debate.” I have personally always been more impressed knowing I was spending time with someone who put thought into the context and content of the date—picnic at a free concert in the park featuring my favorite artist, a trip to the museum for a great exhibit, a free wine tasting (Ladies, chances are you won’t know it’s free…unless you’re nosy).

What do you think? Is $200 too much to spend on a first date?

—Suezette Yasmin Robotham/Justin Dwayne Joseph

TAGS: cost, dating, Finance, first dates, gentleman, Justin Dwayne Joseph, love, Money, price, Relationships, single men, single women, sueZette yasmin robotham, TWITTER