Asking Eric: Splitting the Check Creates Rift Between Wife and Son

Asking Eric: My wife’s dating advice to our son seems outdated. Who’s right here?

To pay or split the check, that's the question.

Asking Eric: My wife thinks men should pay for dinner. My son says she’s old-fashioned

Dear Eric: My wife and son got into a heated argument after he told her that he had dated a woman three times, and on the third date, he asked her if she wanted to split the bill. The woman later texted him that she didn’t want to go out with him anymore. My wife told our son that it should be up to the man to pay when dating.

Asking Eric: My wife told our son ‘the man should pay’ ... he strongly disagreed

he told her she was old-fashioned and that the current practice is for those who are dating to split the expenses. Who is right?

Asking Eric: Splitting the check creates rift between wife and son

Advice columnist R. Eric Thomas answers his readers' questions in this July 21, 2025 edition of Asking Eric.

Mom miffed by son's request to split check with date

Dear Eric: My wife and son got into a heated argument after he told her that he had dated a woman three times, and on the third date, he asked her if she wanted to split the bill. The woman…

Column | Asking Eric: Splitting the check creates rift between wife and son

His wife strongly disagreed with their son’s decision to ask to split the bill on a third date.