Was this a first date? Maybe she was disappointed because she paid the last time and feels like it's his turn. We don't have the full story here.

Maybe she was disappointed because she wanted the time to continue a good discussion, not because she was scared.

We don't have the full story there either. Just an interpretation of events and what people thought about them.

My point is that there are reasons beyond wanting traditional treatment for why a progressive woman might be disappointed in that behavioral choice from a conservative man.

Further, if you are a progressive woman dating a conservative man, how will you assess his level of interest if he doesn't so these things that are familiar or replace them with other behaviors more in line with progressive thought? It wouldn't be out of line, considering the dynamics, for a woman to be disappointed her date didn't offer to walk her home without caring about the walk home in and of itself. It's what the walk home represents, investment, that's the consideration. Not the "protection".