Empathetic 28-year-old boyfriend with financially struggling girlfriend offers to stop doing 50/50 and pay for her, she gets defensive: “I don’t want to feel less independent”

Welcome back ladies and gentlemen of the internet. With modern dating, and the structure of traditional dating being dismantled and sloppily put back together in the past however many years, there's been quite some back and forth debate about paying in the relationship. Some women put this expectation as the most important thing in the relationship, and a man who doesn't pay is a "red flag." Other women feel deeply uncomfortable when a man pays for them, and they'd rather go 50/50 to feel like they aren't being groomed, or relying on their partner. Men also differ on their views. Some men insist on paying, it's part of their masculinity. Other men are happy to forsake tradition to save some extra cash.

I think none of it is wrong, it's just about what the person wants. I absolutely love when a man pays for me, it feels like I'm being treated. However, I don't mind going 50/50. Financial situations should be taken into account.

In the story below, the couple has always done 50/50 with groceries, dates, and everything. The boyfriend notices his girlfriend having to dip into her savings just to keep up, so he offers to pay for more, but gets a defensive response from her.

01
AITA for telling my girlfriend I don't want to split bills 50/50 anymore?

via southworks / Canva

This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.
Advertisement
02

via u/majesticcat84
This man seems so sweet to consider his girlfriend's financial situation. It seems like he's coming at it with a lot of love for her, and a lot of empathy. I understand her wanting to feel independent, but she has to recognize how incredible this gesture is.
03

via u/majesticcat84
04

via u/majesticcat84
Advertisement
05

via u/majesticcat84
06

via StockSnap from pixabay / Canva

This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.
07

via u/majesticcat84
Advertisement
08

via u/HoldFast02
09

via u/HoldFast02
10

via u/donutforget168
Advertisement
11

via u/donutforget168
12

via u/donutforget168
13

via u/droneselfie
Advertisement
14

via u/Peculiar-Lady
15

via u/Peculiar-Lady
16

via u/SerTherapist-89
Advertisement
17

via Artem Varnitsin / Canva

This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.
18

via u/SerTherapist-89
19

via u/SerTherapist-89
Advertisement
20

via u/SerTherapist-89
21

via u/Capable-Limit5249
22

via u/Antique-Cut-8928
Advertisement
23

via u/Mysterious-Jacket-96

Like what you see? Find more hilarious women's memes and crazy stories on our Instagram @Cheezcake_Humor and more videos on our TikTok @cheezcaked

Also From CheezCake

20 Romantic Classical Art Memes Illustrating the Ins and Outs of Intimacy for Medieval Maidens (May 23, 2025)

Trending Now

“Focus on being a real man": Grandma smashes 7-year-old grandson's lego set to spite his dad, he bans her from their home until she apologises

24-year-old refuses to share new Wi-Fi password until influencer roommate agrees to remove videos that show her sleeping in the background: “I don't think I'm asking for much - just basic privacy in my own home?”

Employee graciously lends 29-year-old coworker a dress for vacation, coworker avoids her attempts to get it back despite having regular conversations at work: “I can't wrap my head around the complete avoidance”

Mom refuses to straighten 1.5 year old daughter's curly hair for sister-in-law bride that demands matching flower girls: "It's a ridiculous request for a toddler!"

Parents' favoritism leads daughter to refuse to invite entitled brother to her wedding, they threaten not to come to the wedding: ‘No problem, grandad will walk me down the aisle'