Yeah, I hear what you're saying.Personally I'd find this kind of date as a green flag, but it depends what your're looking for. Her hesitancy in getting physical suggests to me that she's not very experienced and doesn't just get it on with everyone she meets in person. It also sounds like she needs a certain comfort level with the person before she gets physical. If she's willing to get together again despite justifiably not getting the gift on the first date, I would try again. Actually, I'd be willing for date two to not go "all the way" if there was at least some escalation, and seeing if it happens on date three. In my opinion, there's the potential here for some kind of semi-exclusive or exclusive arrangement which is what I prefer, and is worth putting the work into. On the other hand, if you're looking for a sure thing I can totally understand why the date would have been frustrating for you, and SPs are certainly more straightforward in that regard.
It's possible with this girl had we gone on a few more platonic dates things would have escalated, but that
felt like far from a guarantee.
I find the lack of clarity with these dates frustrating. If you're incredibly blunt you risk scaring the girl off.
If you are too sheepish you find yourself paying hundreds of dollars for platonic "dates". I've tried to make
it clear in my text messages with the girl what I want without being crass. I guess some girls don't quite
get the message.