Date etiquette - meal cost

[CowboySong]

I'm going on a date for dinner with a man I have met online. I have already met him once. He has told me that he likes to pay (I did buy a round a drinks too!). We're going out for dinner. I will want to pay half because of the type of person I am but I am worried he won't accept this. The issue therefore is this... I looked at the menu and what I want to eat is one of the most expensive dinners! Is this cheeky? Obviously I will happily pay but I'm worried he will think I'm taking the piss before the bill arrives. Or am I overthinking this? It's a pub not a fancy restaurant btw.

I’d say we’ll go half.
I don’t care who asks who out, i’ve always insisted on paying my way.
If he still insists then no worries.
Enjoy your date

I'd give a slightly different take here.

He said he likes to pay

You said you like to pay your half

Why does his preference trump yours?

I'd feel very uncomfortable starting off on this footing that your preferences don't get a look in for fear of offending him.

I'd say upfront ' I'd really prefer to pay half, I'll feel uncomfortable if you don't accept this'. And is his desire to appear gallant or whatever overrides his willingness yo listen to you then he's written himself out the picture.

IMO it's really important to set the groundwork right, so he listens to you and accepts that your opinion is as important as his. Him refusing to let you pay is a tiny red flag to me

Ribs? Attagirl

I wouldn’t be dating anyone who insisted on me doing anything.

Why should OP have to give in twice to pander to a man's preferences, and a man she barely knows?

She's not allowed yo pay even though she wants to

She's not allowed to order what she wants in case he thinks she's a CF

Please can someone rationally explain why this is fair?

Way to set yourself up as the submissive partner from this point forwards

If he’s paying, order something medium priced or he will think you’re a cheeky fucker, and you don’t want to put him off you.

You can pay the second time and order what you want.

A man who wants to pay all the time is a red flag, but there’s nothing wrong with alternating rather than going Dutch. And who cares if it makes him happy to pay first.

@Luredbyapomegranate

If he’s paying, order something medium priced or he will think you’re a cheeky fucker, and you don’t want to put him off you.

You can pay the second time and order what you want.

A man who wants to pay all the time is a red flag, but there’s nothing wrong with alternating rather than going Dutch. And who cares if it makes him happy to pay first.

It's a pub. Everything is around the same price. It's a second date. He paid the first time.

Ribs is a brave choice. Prince would be proud.

Always surprises me how many women don't pay their share on First Dates.

I don't understand why a men should pay.

Just order what you want. I wouldn't want to be on a date with someone eating my second choice just so they didn't have to pay a few Linda extra. I would offer to pay, but I'd also expect him to be happy to pay for what I wanted if he likes paying so much.

@Sparkletastic bravo!
(Please god no rips when she sits down. Not in a second date in a pub)