Part 2/7:
Anna recounts her experience on a first date where her date never offered to pay or even expressed gratitude, leading her to feel that she was only there for a free meal. Her initial reaction was to rationalize that women invest significant time and effort into their appearance—through makeup and clothing—thus deserving of some acknowledgment and fair treatment. However, she recognizes that even in her own experience with women, these expectations play out similarly, highlighting common social norms across genders.
This realization made her see how ideas about masculinity and femininity influence behaviors — expectations about paying for dates, politeness, and appreciation—whether spoken aloud or implicit.