Guys, are you still wondering who should pick up the cheque on a first date? If so, you’re not alone. It’s an age-old debate with varying opinions (and controversy); however, when it comes to dating, the trusted traditional etiquette still applies. Fellas, be prepared to open up your wallets.

Despite society’s progressive moves toward gender equality (we’re not there yet, despite women’s strides in job acquisition and income), who should pick up the cheque is less about who’s in a higher tax bracket, who asked who out, or whether it’s dinner or just coffee.

So, what is it really about and what message does it send to your date?

In the matchmaking and dating business, we come in contact with a ton of single women per week whether it’s at business events, gyms, through Social media, etc. We engage with women who are fit, curvy, tall, short, brown, white – you name it. Women love to be candid while we wear our matchmaker hats and it’s in our best interest to listen and make sure we know the ins-and-outs of what women are looking for in men. Our biggest challenge? Women can be delusional – they come to us with their lengthy check-lists of prequalifying attributes and it appears that at the top of the list that will make or break accepting a first introduction is HEIGHT. On countless occasions we have presented successful, funny, family-oriented, educated, handsome and, more importantly, men who are ready for love but the moment a woman hears that said bachelor is not over six feet tall, she writes him off. The pending question in our heads is why are these women bringing us a check-list in the first place if they think the key attribute that makes it through the qualifying stage is height?

Susan was a featured guest on ShawTV go! Calgary where she discussed the dating scene in Calgary. Susan offers up simple and practical advice for single men and women in Calgary so that they can put their best foot forward when seeking romance.

A few tips for couples to keep the romance alive on Valentine’s Day:

• • Do something new with your partner and break out of old routines and predictability. Walk somewhere new, try a new restaurant, a new holiday location, or a fun activity.
  • Spice up your sex life. Try new things in the bedroom that you feel comfortable with. Don’t be afraid to walk in to a sex shop and discover new sex toys, lingerie or video. If things feel awkward at first have a laugh about it. Attend a ‘spicy love course’ – there are lots offered around the city that you can attend together.
  • Send love notes to each other – slip them into her lunch, his briefcase etc (but make sure they are handwritten – email has made things way to easy and impersonal).

Valentine’s Day is all about love, but let’s face it, it can also be a stressful time for everyone especially when it comes to meeting expectations for the big day. Add to that the difference between what men and women expect from their partners for Valentine’s. Will the two sides ever meet?

We all know that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, and sometimes our differences can mean we’re miles apart when it comes to our Valentine’s Day plans.