Anyone who sticks up their nose specifically at the cheapness of something is not worth dating for very long. The perception that "all prospective dates are looking for an expensive arrangement that the other person pays for" is defeatist and can easily lend itself to confirmation bias, or worse.

As for masking, doing things outdoors, especially during the day, will have the same effect. And sticking to outdoors is not as much of a restriction as it may sound.

I have a friend who's a trans man, and he started dating another trans man (baby leftist) a handful of months ago, and was telling me about all these dates they did that were just anarchist calisthenics, i.e. exploring how they could break rules and taboos and social conventions. It sounded fantastic, bro is doing it absolutely right.

[–] Le_Wokisme@hexbear.net 2 points 1 week ago

if they're not masking around other people it isn't safe to be around them privately. you don't magically stop being a disease vector when you catch feelings. the bar is under ground and the overwhelming majority of americans dig under it rather than protect themselves and their community.

in five years i've seen three other masks, including a hospital visit.