i think a lot of it has to do with that exciting uncomfortable feeling you have when you have chemistry with someone new, or don't even yet know if you do or not.

when i'm with someone new, i don't want to even think about money, i want to focus on her anyway, so the point of paying for the meal, movie (horrible date anyway...) or social activity we're involved in to me just seems like it takes us out of the whole scenario for a second if i have to even wonder
will she pay or will we split it or pay for what each of us got or whatever...

but your simple solution, miriel, seems to make sense to me...been out of the loop for a while heheh