The Romance Recession

Remember when finding love was as simple as getting set up on a blind date or meeting someone at your local dive bar? According to The New York Times, Gen Z isn’t just dating less than previous generations; they’re in a “romance recession.” The question becomes: Is chivalry dead, or can daters just not afford to be chivalrous anymore?

Queens native Grace Sakellariou told The New York Times that more men are asking to split the bill, even on second or third dates. While that likely would have been considered a dating indiscretion not long ago, maybe it’s less about romance and more about rising costs. Between expensive dinners and everything else that comes with dating in New York City, splitting the bill may just be the financially responsible move. Studies show it could even save you money in the long run. According to a StreetEasy analysis, New Yorkers who share a one-bedroom apartment with a partner save more than $25,000 a year in rent—money that could instead go toward a future down payment or paying off student loans.

Ultimately, this era of dating is still an investment, and it’s up to the individual to decide if it’s one worth making. Dating apps alone these days can run monthly subscriptions upward of $30, and that’s before you’ve even met the person and picked where to go. Maybe the better plan is to opt out of the Hinge subscription, splurge on the overpriced latte instead, and hope to meet your spouse outside the neighborhood coffee shop.