"If a guy doesn't pay for you, you're not being treated like you're special."

The above line is from an odd little article written by a woman who says she's a feminist and "a battler of gender inequality," yet thinks guys should pay for the first date. Hypocritical much? Moreover, what if the guy is going through a financially rough stretch, or you were the one who asked him out in the first place? More important, how do you expect to go into an equal relationship with someone when you're forever expecting him to buy?

I've often gotten into arguments about this with my friends, male and female alike, because most argue that guys don't mind being gracious. Fair enough, but if the gent insists on paying I will at least be courteous enough to thank him kindly and buy the next round of drinks (or pay the tip, or whatever), and I would certainly not go out expecting the guy to pay or judge him for doing so/ the lack thereof. It seems an odd thing to base judgment on, particularly when it's a first date with a guy you hardly know.

At least, that's the way I see things. What do you guys (and gals) think about such situations?