Young People Skip Dating as $150 Meals Deepen Financial Strain
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 17
Young People Skip Dating as $150 Meals Deepen Financial Strain
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 17
Summary
$150 for two entrees, two drinks, an appetizer and tip has become a symbol of why many Gen Z singles are avoiding dates altogether.
High costs matter most when finances are uneven, turning romance into a source of guilt and stress for the lower-earning partner rather than a shared expense.
Cheap alternatives still exist — parks, beaches, museums and galleries — making the bigger barrier less the date itself than broader economic insecurity.
The debate reflects a wider question for young adults: whether strained budgets and unstable work now make dating feel like a luxury instead of a normal part of life.