My boyfriend bought me a small box of chocolates on our first official date, though we had been unofficially dating for over a year (friends with benefits situation turned serious). I found that very sweet, but we have known each other for years and I had specifically mentioned many times that I had always wanted to be bought chocolates "just because". In this instance, him producing this gift meant a lot to me and I knew I had made the right decision in moving the relationship forward.
If, however, he had been a stranger before the date or a casual acquaintance I would have most likely been put off. Gifts generally make me feel as if I owe the gift giver, and while this is fine with loved ones, in someone I barely know I'd just feel incredibly uncomfortable. When I was a teenager, a boy I knew bought me presents because he had a crush on me, but I didn't reciprocate. Accepting the gifts made me feel awful, but rejecting them would have made him feel bad, so I accepted and then had to try and explain that while I was flattered, I couldn't be bought, so to speak. Luckily there were no long-term repercussions, and we managed to remain friends for years.
As for paying for dates, I've never found it to be a problem. I've paid for dates, my dates have paid, or we've split the bill depending on the circumstances. It's just never crossed my mind that anyone would get worked up about payment.
