This thread is terrible.

This is what you need to know about dating:
The goal of dating is to find a sexual partner that you are comfortable with. There are men who play the dating game because they think they can pay for sex at a premium (discount for bulk purchases) and women who date only to get someone else to pay for dinner and a movie. You want to avoid people like that.
Still, dating is about sex, so if your not ready for sex, don't date.
"Goal" and "finding" are important words and should remind you not to have sex on the first date. Spend some time getting to know the person.
Also, men will respect your right to say "no" more if you pay half. Say you want to from the outset and if your strapped for cash suggest something cheep and don't accept expensive dates. It's not that most guys will rape you, it's just if you feel your not ready they will resent you less. It also changes the dynamic in a way that makes guys more patient. If they pay for everything they will feel almost like their on a "DatingSim" style timetable, only shorter because highschool (or even college) guys have less access to funds than the protagonists in those games.
Lastly, if you really don't see yourself being sexual with some guy, tell him. If you do, likewise. Be clear about where you stand. If your a virgin and are afraid it will hurt he needs to know. Not on the first date but before you have sex.
Good luck.