Banking associate Celia Tan was at a mid-range restaurant for what she thought might be a promising first date but when the $20 bill came, her date took out only $10 from his wallet.

"So I knew I had to pay the other $10," says the 27-year-old singleton.

"I'm an independent woman and I'm comfortable paying for myself, but if he wants a relationship, that's not the way to start," she adds.

They never saw each other again.

Times may have changed and women may have become more financially independent but when it comes to first dates, tradition prevails.

SundayLife! conducted a quick survey of 60 men and women, aged 23 to 35, to find out who should pay on the first date and found that men are still expected to pick up the tab.

Twenty-two out of 30 women felt men should pay, and this is not just the view of the women. Men, too, were overwhelmingly in favour of paying on the first date, even if the woman offers to foot her share.

Of the 30 men, 23 say they would want to splash the cash. The main reason - it is the gentlemanly thing to do.

Says iPhone application developer Daniel Quek, 27, who has a girlfriend: "I think most girls expect it and you don't want to disappoint."

Accounts associate Aaron Jenson, 24, who has a girlfriend, says: "Tradition isn't the only reason. If we have a chance to give a good impression, who wouldn't want that?"

Assistant Professor Ho Swee Lin of the sociology department at the National University of Singapore (NUS) says modernisation has yet to "transform some deeply entrenched attitudes towards 'masculine' and 'feminine' behaviours and identities".

NUS Associate Professor of sociology Paulin Straughan, 49, says gender roles are also "perpetuated by popular culture, where the male leads are normally the ones in active pursuit of the female interests".

But the men interviewed do appreciate it when women offer to pay their share, saying it shows sincerity and concern, and is "a thoughtful gesture".

Financial sales manager Dennis Ng, 30, who is in a relationship, says: "The woman should offer out of courtesy, but the guy should still pay."

Dating agency owners generally agreed that paying on the first date should be the man's responsibility.

Click on the thumbnails to see what celebs have to say, or read the full story here.