If I remember correctly (it's been over 16 years), my wife suggested separate checks the first time, and I told her I'd pay this time and she could get the next one if she wanted to go out again.

I think I still ended up paying for the next one (or separate checks), but that wasn't a cultural norm thing, I just get uncomfortable with other people paying for me.

My current fiance said she almost didn't want to go on a second date with me because I wanted to go Dutch on our first date. She still tells me to this day that I'm lucky I was cute.