A woman shared her dating experience on Reddit after she blocked a man following their first date, feeling that he had crossed personal boundaries and tested her financial independence. She was looking for confirmation from the online community about whether her decision was justified.
When the man initially asked her out, she didn’t have a specific restaurant in mind. However, when he asked about her favorite place to dine, she mentioned a high-end restaurant, while making it clear that it was an expensive option. She even suggested a more affordable Mexican restaurant as an alternative. The average meal at her favorite place could cost around $500.
Despite the price, the man chose the expensive restaurant, eager to try it. For the woman, dining at such places was reserved for special occasions, and she generally preferred more casual settings for first dates. Her primary interest was getting to know the person rather than indulging in a luxurious meal.
On the night of the date, they ordered appetizers, entrees, drinks, and even dessert, enjoying each other’s company. Aware of the steep cost, she offered to split the bill, hesitating slightly as she did so, knowing he had insisted on going to the expensive restaurant. She explained that she was unsure whether he would cover the entire cost, but he quickly agreed to her offer.
When the server brought separate checks, both placed their cards on the table. At the last moment, the man grabbed her card and insisted on paying for both. He then remarked, “Oh, now I finally know your last name,” as he glanced at her card.
This comment made the woman uneasy. As a bartender, she knew how easy it could be for someone to memorize a card number, and her thoughts immediately went to the potential for fraud. Beyond that, she was frustrated by his sudden decision to cover the entire bill after agreeing to split it. She suspected he was testing her to see if she would pay her share of the $250 bill, wondering if he was checking if she was a “golddigger.” She felt particularly annoyed since she had initially advised against dining at such an expensive place on a first date.
After the meal, she thanked him, went home, and promptly blocked him. His actions, particularly looking at her card, left her feeling uncomfortable, and she didn’t want him knowing her last name.
Following feedback from the Reddit community, the woman decided to send him money to cover her portion of the bill. She clarified that she never pressured him into dining at the restaurant and would have been perfectly happy with a simpler, less costly meal. Reflecting on the situation, she realized it was a lesson learned.
Many Reddit users sided with her, agreeing that she had every right to cut off contact with someone who made her feel uncomfortable. Some, however, thought she might have overreacted, with one commenter suggesting, “I highly doubt someone would spend $500+ and waste an entire evening just to memorize your card number.” Others felt she should have paid her half of the bill before blocking him to avoid giving the impression that she was using him for a free dinner.