Etiquette suggests the one who asks is the one who offers (or is offering without saying) to pay. This is typical for the dating world so on today's social culture if the woman asks it is fair to assume she is choosing the restaurant AND footing the bill. If the man (or woman) being asked feels uncomfortable (or wants to make it clear that it is as friends not as a date) then be quick to offer to pay your half or at least pay the tip. Insist if it is that important for the meal to not be misconstrued as acceptable flirting.

If it's friends, then it is equally polite for the one being asked to offer to pay for themselves. But the asker still assumes responsibility if the one they asked is hard up for cash. It is fair play to then offer to take them out to eat sometime on your dime next time.

If it's a business lunch is also acceptable for one to pay the bill and the other to pay the tip since the meal is deductible, the client is usually the one being treated to a free meal. If it is a coworker, it defaults to shared costs. If it's a boss then it is the one who asks unless the boss insists and you've offered to contribute.

In some cultures it's a show of dominance who pays the bill and there can be fierce competition for who gets to. So the correct answer to this question depends on two things:

1. Who is asking whom under what circumstances.
2. Where one is being asked and in what country (or country of origin of the asker).

Be forewarned though, being asked if someone can buy you breakfast is still code for spending the night. But out of context it might just be because it's that early in the morning. :)

Whoever did the asking / inviting should plan on paying however it's nice if they other person offers half, or offers gas or offers to pay the tip.

First off money only goes from me to girls. Bend with the tide and go with the flow. It is a dream to think it might go the other way. If the flow was reversed for even a brief moment in time, the forces that brought the world to this point would reinstate themselves and the norm would prevail. That is the way it is. I do not fight it. I just try to keep a handle on how much they spend when they are with me. The guy always ends up paying in the end.

Women tried to reverse the roles of protector and provider in the women’s lib days of the 1960’s. But soon they sat back and accepted it. It is not I think, that girls want to play the role of receptor. It is just that physically and financially, the guys set it up that way, and women are kind of stuck. So guy’s if you like the pleasure of their company, just pay up and shut up.

With the changing views of today's society i think this is a situation that should be discussed between the two parties before the date begins. I personally have known women who would be insulted if the man tries to pay for the bills and have known some who were insulted if he didn't. There are also some women that feel that if he pays for everything then they are obligated to do certain things and therefore would prefer to go dutch treat. With views changing much more rapidly than they used to and everybody having a different take on any given situation both parties need to discuss what they expect and what compromises, if any, they are willing to make.

If your older than 12 the man pays. I have gone out with women just as friends and I always pick up the tab. It is just the normal thing to do. The only way the woman pays is if she can sign for it on a company plan or she owns the restaurant.

Pretty much since the beginning of time men have always paid on first dates. And this has pretty much stayed the same. If the woman offers to pay half take it other wise i think the man is stuck paying the bill.