A woman shared her eye-opening experience on Reddit after blocking a man following a first date that took a surprising turn. Feeling that he had invaded her privacy and tested her financial boundaries, she sought validation from the community about her decision. It’s no secret that many women have their own first-date horror stories, and this one stood out amid the plethora of online accounts.
The evening began at a fancy restaurant of her choosing, where they settled in for what she hoped would be an enjoyable dinner. When the man asked her out, she didn’t have a specific restaurant in mind. However, when he inquired about her favorite dining spot, she candidly mentioned an upscale establishment known for its exquisite but pricey dishes. She was upfront about the costs, suggesting they could opt for a more casual place, like a beloved Mexican restaurant that offered fantastic food at a fraction of the price. Her favorite restaurant typically ran about $500 for a meal, while the Mexican spot was much more budget-friendly.
Despite the price tag, the man insisted on going to her favorite restaurant, eager to experience the renowned cuisine. For her, this wasn’t the norm; she usually reserved such lavish dining for special occasions or personal treats. On a first date, she preferred a more laid-back atmosphere, focused on getting to know the person rather than the food.
As the evening unfolded, they enjoyed lively conversation and indulged in appetizers, main courses, and even dessert. When the bill arrived, both offered to split it. She hesitated, feeling a bit uncomfortable, as he had initiated the date and had been the one to suggest the pricey venue. Typically, she preferred separate checks on first dates, as she believed it was prudent for men to assess whether they wanted to cover a woman’s meal, especially if there was no chemistry.
When the server brought their separate bills, she placed her card on the table, and so did he. To her surprise, he grabbed her card and declared he would cover both checks. A moment later, he glanced at her card and quipped, “Oh, now I finally know your last name.” This comment sent alarm bells ringing in her mind. As a bartender, she was well aware of the risks associated with sharing personal information and felt uneasy about his sudden interest in her details.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that he was playing mind games, perhaps testing her to see if she would offer to pay half the hefty bill, which totaled around $250. “I felt like he was checking to see if I was a gold-digger or something,” she later reflected, especially since she had explicitly mentioned they shouldn’t go to such an expensive restaurant for a first date. After thanking him for dinner, she went home and promptly blocked him.
In her Reddit post, she expressed her frustration, particularly at the fact that he had looked at her card, which made her uncomfortable. After reading the comments, she decided to send him money for her share of the bill, reiterating that she hadn’t forced him to choose the restaurant and would have been perfectly happy with a more casual meal. Many users rallied behind her, supporting her right to cut ties with someone who made her feel uneasy. However, some suggested she might have been overthinking the situation, pointing out that it seemed unlikely someone would spend over $500 just to memorize her card number. Others advised that she should have paid her part before blocking him to avoid any appearance of being in it for a free meal.
But this wasn’t the only eyebrow-raising story circulating online. Another tale involved a young woman who faced a different kind of conflict with her boyfriend on his birthday. An 18-year-old shared her frustrations on the “AITA” subreddit, detailing her relationship with John, a 20-year-old, which had been largely free of toxicity but strained by her vegetarian lifestyle.
Since the age of 11, she had committed to vegetarianism based on strong moral beliefs, but this often clashed with John’s expectations, particularly when it came to dining out. Just days before her Reddit post, they went to his favorite upscale restaurant to celebrate his birthday. John indulged in the most expensive steak on the menu, while she requested separate bills, which left him visibly shocked.
“Are you joking?” he asked, clearly taken aback. She stood her ground, reminding him of her long-standing rule against spending money on meat. John had assumed she would cover the meal since it was his special day, but she found his rationale lacking. She even offered to pay for the wine and side salad while expecting him to cover the steak, but this only escalated his anger, leading him to storm off to the bathroom in frustration.
After waiting for what felt like an eternity, she decided to pay for her portion of the meal, the wine, and the salad, puzzled by his sudden disappearance. As she left the restaurant, she couldn’t help but wonder how a birthday celebration had turned into such a bewildering and contentious situation.
Both stories highlight the complexities of dating and the importance of communication and understanding boundaries. Whether it’s navigating financial expectations or dietary choices, the world of modern dating continues to throw curveballs that can leave anyone feeling bewildered.