KUALA LUMPUR — For some Malaysian men, keeping the romance alive could mean stretching their wallets — and a new study suggests some are even willing to go into debt for a date.

According to research by Legasi Research, men continue to shoulder most dating expenses, with 59.3 per cent saying they usually pay the entire bill, compared with just 8.2 per cent of women.

“The data shows that the majority of men still bear the dating expenses, highlighting a strong adherence to traditional gender roles in courtship,” Legasi Research economic researcher Firdzan Nur Yassin, said today in a news conference here to present the findings.

Shopping malls remain a popular dating destination, with 44.1 per cent of respondents saying they frequent them, while 42.8 per cent opt for cafes or restaurants.

Food and drinks are the biggest expense, cited by 92.8 per cent of respondents, while a typical date costs between RM51 and RM200.

But the bill is not always easy to swallow, with 49.3 per cent of respondents describing dating costs as “expensive”.

Men also appear more likely to feel the financial strain, with 27.5 per cent reporting pressure from dating expenses, compared with 16.4 per cent of women.