Money is becoming an issue in our 6-month relationship.

My girlfriend and I are both in our 20s. We come from different backgrounds, hers is a middle class one, mine is upper class. We both work, but my job makes easily 5x as much as hers—think office assistant X consultant. I've always been used to a more lavish lifestyle—weekend hops to Europe, nice dinners—I do admit that I am spoiled, but I always figure that as long as I can afford something, I should be able to get it.

The issue isn't the fact that she doesn't want to live the same kind of lifestyle that I do; the problem is, she has started to insist on keeping up with me financially lately. At the beginning, she would have no issue with me covering all the costs of our activities, but now that we are becoming more serious, she says she doesn't want to feel like she is a burden to me. I have never thought of it that way, and I don't even enjoy being able to provide for her, or any kind of that stereotypical gender role kind of thing: my past partner made more than me and I had no issues there.

It's gotten to the point where she wants to start working overtime so she can keep up with me. She says she feels bad that she has to think about how she spends every dollar so that she can keep up with my lifestyle: she's started going out less, doesn't see her girlfriends as much, etc. Working more at the rates that she is paid just means that she will be more money rich but less time rich, and the result will be the same, except she will be overworked to boot.

Apart from this, there only really seem to be two alternatives, though: having her not contribute anything to our activities, or me giving up on the things that I am used to having (and that she seems to want too, as it turns out).

How do we talk about this like adults to reach a reasonable consensus? If I spend 75+ hours a week in an office, shouldn't I be able to spend that money in whichever way I want with whomever I choose to do so? It's gotten to the point where we can't talk about it without there being some kind of drama.

Sit down together like you are in a board meeting discussing the company price to earnings ratio.
Sound cold and corny? No, it shouldn't.
Take paper and pen, each of you, and write down your take home income on the far right top. Draw a line and make 3 columns: known fixed or near fixed expenses each month, frivolous expenses next, and what you can spend far right. I'm sure you can figure out how to fine tune that to make it work.
Say "How about you spend X percent of your take home on total fun (with me OR with others), while I spend that same percent. I can give up some extravagances, and you can stop worrying about how much you contribute." Or something! Make it clear that it's not forever. It's not a cold, calculating 'contract.' Do you have a sense of how much you like her, what the future holds? I can tell you, speaking as a woman, that she could be gauging where you stand about your next step together... there are a zillion little ways to find out, and in a roundabout way, this is one.

When two people date they should be able to compromise and resolve whatever issues they have or what's the point of dating?

I fail to see what the discussion is about since the simple compromise is very obvious... sometimes she contributes to the activities... sometimes she does not, and likewise you spend on the lifestyle you want... while doing less lavish things as she wants....sometimes.

For your part though, listen well to her position, concede and capitulate to it WILLINGLY sometimes, and get the same in return, because the bottom line is expecting to get what you want all the time, and being unwilling to give at all, will never work. Without that honest communications in calm, rational civil terms a relationship simply cannot survive and to be frank, many do not.

Maybe you are not compatible for the longer term which is always a consideration for any dating relationship EXPERIMENT. Clearly she places a huge significance on being an equal in the relationship, and being able to carry her own weight. That's not a bad thing, and should be respected.

Money is the number one reason for most divorces. The issues must be sat down and talked about.

The last two responders are men. Please believe me when I say that there is more to this than meets the eye. Chances are very good that she wants to know where this relationship is going. If that isn't included in whatever 'discussion' you have, you will continue with the same drama you say you have.

To be very blunt, if love + love with a defined future are not added to the very reasonable logic you present, then she sees herself as not much more than paid entertainment.
Many women don't care!
She is a rarity. Don't lose her.

Reading your post made me wonder how you come across to her and other people. What behaviors of yours has made her react this way? Are you pompous and pretentious? It may be something worth considering.

My partner and I have been together 7 years. I make more and not once has this topic been an issue. I am not sure either one of us remembers what the other person makes. We have a shared bank account (married now) and we share everything. It's never going to be an issue in our relationship. So consider how you are contributing to her feeling this way.

If she feels the need, or has the desire, to share in the costs of going out together, another option is one many married, or couples living together, use. Discuss and decide on a reasonable percentage that you both contribute to an entertainment fund. Yes, your monetary figure will be higher, but going by a percentage can be a more equitable system that works well for many couples.