A dating expert has sparked a heated debate on social media after claiming that men should always pay on a first date.
Boasting over 680,000 followers across her Tiktok and Instagram accounts, @Ask.Nelly stated in a video earlier this month that "men should never let a woman pay for a first date".
In the video, Nelly - who frequently uses her accounts to share relationship advice for both men and women - states:
"If you're asking a girl out and then going Dutch, it just shows you're cheap, you weren't raised right, you're not chivalrous, or you're dating outside your price range - and by that, I mean you're taking a girl out on a date you can't afford to be on."
Nelly goes on to say: "So instead of trying to flex on a nice dinner, you're better off taking her on a picnic in the park.
"And even the most progressive girls who insist they split it with you and say they don't mind... do mind.
"Not because they can't afford it, but because it shows us your character and if you're a girl and you've paid for first dates, I want to tell you that he ain't it, sis."
As of this writing, Nelly's video has amassed over 94,000 views, with many TikTokers taking to the comments section to share their opinions.
One comment simply read: "This is entitlement and men aren't walking wallets."
However, one TikToker who appeared to agree with Nelly commented: "I don't mind paying but if I pay on the first date there won't be a second, we can be friends".
A third typed: "Expecting a man to pay means you think your time is more valuable than his. [It's] not."
Another commented: "Lol what? It's 2021 [...] Whoever asks the other person out should pay for the date".
One woman responded to the video, writing: "Am I the only woman who always either pays for the first date or splits it and would never let a man pay [...] it makes me uncomfortable when people pay".
Responding to the critics, Nelly later took to Instagram where she captioned a post: "Just because it’s 2021 doesn’t mean courtship should be controversial. Chivalry is a basic sign of respect toward women.
"I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, women are not equal to men (both biologically and societally) - they are different. Women shouldn’t be treated as equal for that reason, they should be treated BETTER than equal because the stakes are higher, especially in the infancy of dating. I stand by my words."
Let us know your thoughts about who should pay on a first date in the comments section.