Dear Eric >> My wife and son got into a heated argument after he told her that he had dated a woman three times, and on the third date, he asked her if she wanted to split the bill. The woman later texted him that she didn’t want to go out with him anymore. My wife told our son that it should be up to the man to pay when dating.

My son strongly disagreed, telling her that she was old-fashioned and that the current practice is for those who are dating to split the expenses. Who is right?

— Confused Dad

Dear Dad >> Dating is about finding a person who shares one’s values and vision for life. One of your son’s values is, apparently, sharing expenses at a certain point. This is totally fine.

Dates can be expensive. My mother used to say, “Romance without finance is a nuisance,” and I always remembered that when I wanted to go on a date, but my pockets were a little light. Your son and the woman weren’t compatible in their views about paying for the date. That doesn’t make him or your wife right. He was doing what works for him and openly communicating with his date about it. One hopes that he’ll find someone who shares that value and has no problem splitting the check.

Dear Eric >> I use the exercise room in my apartment. So does a neighbor who has a body odor so strong that when he is there — or has been there in the previous few hours — I open the window, turn on the fan, prop the door open and wear a mask. There is no staff to complain to. I feel that saying something to him would be crossing a line. Help!

— Workout Woes

Dear Workout >> Although a conversation is the most direct route, it might be uncomfortable and could create a tense situation for you in the building. Because the space has no oversight, take the reins by posting a community note on the door or in the room that acknowledges the gym is a stuffy space and requests that everyone air the gym out during workouts and practices community-minded hygiene. (Think of the signs at pools that instruct swimmers to shower beforehand). Now, this depends on a level of self-awareness that your neighbor may not possess. But, short of talking to him, your next best bet is reminding him — and everyone else — that this is a shared space.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com