I don't know if you guys are upset about the amount you are paying or that women seldom take the initiative to take the check. If it's the former, just don't go to places that are beyond your budget. For the latter, it's normal protocol for the requestor to plan and orchestrate whatever is necessary to complete the date, this includes payment. The objection to this is if the sharing of these things is agreed to when the plans are being made.
For me, I didn't take anyone to a major dinner date until after we were both well beyond the qualification stage and felt that there was some type of mutual commitment. Otherwise, the dates were always casual; coffee, a matinée, comedy of dance club, bicycling, bowling etc. Note that these things are relatively inexpensive and I occasionally preface things by saying, "Let's go to the club, first round is on me."
Now people may feel that a situation like that would be difficult to do in most cases. Remember that I had previously qualified the woman previously and part of that process is determining if she is a giver. Also, I have realized that women who are of a giving nature are very receptive to guys that "share" in the dynamics of the relationship. Sometimes it takes a little coaching like DJ Alejandro's coffee example. I have successfully used the same line.
One last thing, for a woman to be giving does not necessarily mean that she has to have a lot of money. She just needs to make attempts to contribute to the relationship. PL, I understand that students are strapped for cash, that's the norm. However do any of them initiate the date? Do they give you homemade gifts or even cook for you. Things like that are signs of a giver, it isn't how much they spend, it's the thought and effort that goes into it.
Qualifying the woman as soon as possible and not following the standard pattern of the "let's go out to dinner" type dates does work. Step out of the box and do things differently.
