@baldPrussian The issue I see here it that that overly saccharine "I would love to have one of your works but they are so lovely, I suppose I can't afford them." sounds pretty much how a CB would initiate communication and might put a dent into the artist's first impression, especially when they have had prior encounters with CBs. — Suthek 14 hours ago

why not offer to take turns paying ? I don't like leaving a woman to pay, I was raised that way and I cannot easily negate that.I could accept taking turns, because it gives that feeling of being treated to something to each party in turn. I personally wouldn't care if my partner made more money than I do. He's likely to find out anyway, so why not be upfront, in a nice way. — bigbadmouse 56 secs ago

In the case of passport you have a deadline. There are things that will always have a deadline. By picking up a date for holiday you agree to a deadline and, automatically, a moment when to start the thing that need to be done. Same with starting a job. I don't think it was a slavery so choosing a starting time for a job was her choice. Which pulled other "when to start" into existence. OP seems to be more of a person who want people to stick to their guns rather than planner. IF you say A and you know it means you have to say B in 30 seconds he expect it to follow. — SZCZERZO KŁY 38 secs ago

i upvoted you, its a good answer and its like you read my mind — bigbadmouse 3 mins ago

Interesting but not proper. — Allen Haley 1 min ago