I Can’t Believe He Asked About My Credit Score on a First Date!

Should your FICO score be on the menu from the get-go? Our etiquette expert offers her take

Lizzie Post,

AARP

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Published September 12, 2025

a man and woman sit on a picnic blanket. he is lifting up a picnic basket with a credit score scale on it.

Jon Krause

Your credit score — that powerful three-digit number that can determine whether you get approved for a mortgage, an auto loan or a credit card — probably isn’t something you’d bring up on a date.

Or is it?

Many people aren’t as tight-lipped about their credit as they once were. Credit scores are even showing up on dating profiles.

Around 2 in 5 Americans who’ve included their credit score on their dating profile say they’ve received a positive reaction, a January 2024 survey by Credit Karma found. According to the poll, which surveyed 1,041 U.S. adults ages 18 and older who have used a dating app or are open to using one, two-thirds said they think it’s important their partner has a good credit score.

But that still leaves many people who don’t feel comfortable sharing their credit score — especially on a first date, as one reader can attest.

I went on a date recently that really threw me for a loop. He started talking about his finances and then proceeded to ask me about mine, including my credit score. What gives? Is this the new normal in modern dating?

I may have exited the dating world four years ago, but I must say, I wasn’t expecting this development since I left.

Considering how our finances can impact many facets of our lives, it’s not unreasonable to think they would be a topic of discussion when pursuing a romantic relationship — especially for older adults who may be at or near retirement age. Our views — on how much money a person has in their bank account, what makes for an acceptable salary and who should pay for what when you’re dating — are personal and vary widely. But many of us view money, and, by extension, credit scores, as an important topic to broach before we make a relationship exclusive, move in together or get married.

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So, is your credit score something to put on your dating profile or bring up during a first or second date? This is more debatable, because ultimately it’s a personal choice, and it’s certainly not a requirement for everyone. That means you’re going to have to decide if your credit score is a topic that’s fair game when dating early on.

The Emily Post Institute’s etiquette advice over the last century has largely stepped back from dictating what is proper in the world of dating. Recognizing that there are many different ways to date, who’s to say one person should always pay the bill, or that one gender has the responsibility of “asking someone out”? In that vein, there’s nothing today that says you can’t have a list of requirements, ideals or hopes for a future partner, if that’s how you want to approach dating.

Some people might find it refreshing and reassuring to disclose credit scores and other financial information before getting emotionally invested in someone. Others might find it rude or gauche to let credit scores be a factor so early in the dating process.

When a topic of conversation can trigger such polarizing opinions, it’s important to tread lightly.

You do not have to jump on the “Hi, my name is Beth. Here’s my credit score!” bandwagon if you do not want to. In your case, someone asking about your credit score on a first date might be an indication that you’re not a good match. And that’s OK. If, however, you decide to go on a date with someone who puts their credit score on their Tinder profile, know that the topic could be raised.

If a date unexpectedly asks you what your credit score is and you’re not comfortable sharing it, I would say something like, “I appreciate that that’s important to you. For me, it’s something I’m comfortable discussing further down the dating road.”

Good luck out there!

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Lizzie Post is the great-great-granddaughter of etiquette legend Emily Post. She’s the co-president of The Emily Post Institute, co-author of Emily Post’s Etiquette: the Centennial Edition and co-host of the Awesome Etiquette podcast.