PH
There's actually research on the phenomenon sometimes called a “foodie call.”
Researchers defined it as accepting a date despite lacking romantic interest because the person wants a free meal.
Across two studies of heterosexual women, 23% to 33% reported having engaged in a foodie call.
Greater acceptance of the behavior was associated with certain personality characteristics and more traditional gender-role beliefs.
The study doesn't mean anywhere near one-third of all women date for free meals—the samples and context matter.
But it demonstrates that researchers have actually studied something usually treated as an internet dating joke.
Sometimes “she only came for dinner” apparently isn't just a meme.
© Social Psychological and Personality Science (2020)