If the man doesn’t bring up the allowance during the first meeting, is it okay for me to bring it up indirectly? Or would it be better to ask about it afterward while sending a thank-you message on LINE?

If the first meeting is supposed to end after dinner, I think the best time to ask about the allowance is when he invites you on the next date. When he asks something like, “Would you like to meet on such-and-such a day next time?” you need to ask, “How much is the allowance?” Otherwise, you won’t be able to decide whether to accept the invitation. Even if you were thinking of it as a dinner date, from the second meeting onward, it may be considered a transactional relationship, so he may think no allowance is necessary if it’s just dinner. You should confirm the terms clearly before deciding whether to go on the date. If an allowance is offered in case things progress to a hotel, then you’ll need to say whether you’d still prefer dinner only next time; otherwise, things probably won’t move forward.

If he doesn’t bring it up during dinner, it’s probably best not to ask about it then. After you’ve parted ways, you could casually message him on LINE, saying something like, “What were you thinking in terms of an allowance for our next date?” If a man gets angry over that, then there’s no need for things to develop into an adult relationship (intimate) anyway.

You need to bring it up before going to the hotel—or at the very least, make sure you receive it before you leave. Personally, I always bring it up early myself. I think a man who makes a woman feel anxious enough that she has to ask is no good. I don’t mind being asked about it in advance over LINE, either. If it’s a second meeting, I’d send her the amount myself by LINE before we meet.

> If the man doesn’t bring up the allowance on the first date, is it okay for me to casually ask about it? Given your age, it’s perfectly normal for you to ask, and there’s nothing wrong with it. > Or would it be better to ask after we part ways, in the course of sending a thank-you message on LINE? I think it’s safer to discuss it face-to-face. Personally, if a specific amount came up over LINE, I wouldn’t meet him again. I think you should decide based on what matters most to you. Is the allowance the first priority? Or do you place more weight on chemistry and the relationship? How would you balance those priorities? If you’re honest about your feelings and communicate them directly, you’ll get a better sense of whether you’re compatible, and if things continue, you’ll be able to maintain the relationship with less stress. Men join a club knowing that the relationships involve an allowance, but whenever possible, they don’t want to continue seeing a woman who worries about or prioritizes that aspect—or who brings up the amount herself. Men want the woman to enjoy the date and the time they spend together, and they also want the allowance to make her happy as a gesture of appreciation for being together. But if the woman specifies the amount herself… it’s not like you’re shopping for something…

Judging from your question, I’m guessing you’re a Type B when it comes to dating arrangements. Some women feel offended if an allowance is brought up on the first day, so perhaps the man didn’t mention it for that reason. Whether you should ask is up to you. Some men also feel put off when a woman brings up the allowance, so you could choose to meet him first without asking. On the other hand, if you absolutely wouldn’t be okay with things unless the allowance is satisfactory, then I think it’s better to ask. There’s no single perfect approach that works for everyone. You should choose whatever method you feel comfortable with.