I had been dormant on Tinder for a while and thought it was time to dial up the crazy. I start chatting with a guy who seemed like we had lots in common.
He was very impulsive and would repeatedly text at 4pm to see if we can meet out at 6pm. Not a fan of that generally and especially for a first date.
We finally land on a Saturday night and he said he wants to celebrate because he closed a big deal at work. He picks this great steak house one block from my house. The only part that was a bit weird was that he said, if we get along, we should stay for dinner. I thought, that would be an interesting transition? I guess if he asks for the bill after a drink, I know things aren’t going well? In a word – AWKWARD!
Anyway, I get to the restaurant and he is nowhere to be found. He then texts me and says, I am at the corner table by the fireplace. Thankfully he told me that because his picture is easily ten years old online. I would have never picked him out of a line up. And, he only had one photo which is unusual for a dating profile.
We start our conversation and he was definitely leading with his money. He was saying he only stays at 5-star hotels, has a 3 bedroom condo in the city and his ex-wife was basically a kept woman. He said her job was having lunch and working out.
He was also telling me that he goes to Vegas for a vacation every time they call him. It is his favorite place to unwind.
It then occurred to me, if Vegas calls, you must be gambling with big money. I asked him what his game is. He proceeds to tell me that he plays black jack but will only spend $10,000 a day when he plays. Only. And, he goes a couple of times a year. When I pressed further on that thinking he might have a gambling problem, he said, oh no, my big money is spent gambling with my bookie on college football.
Dreamy!
Now he asks if I want to have dinner. At this point, it was more about me being hungry than anything else. We both order steaks and the server suggest we get two sides. Great. He recommended corn and mushrooms. We agreed that was perfect.
I can't be sure, but, I think he was there way earlier than me because now he is getting really drunk. He is fascinated with holding my hand. It was awkward. If I took my hand back, he would take his hand and tap it on the table until I returned it into his grip.
The meal arrives and when the server went to put the mushrooms and corn on his plate, he waves them off. I say, we could have picked different sides? He said no problem, but I don’t want them. Weird.
We are now struggling with things to talk about. Making conversation is what I do for a living, so I went into work mode. At one point he says, you are tough! I said, why? He said, you ask so many questions! I said, no problem, we can just sit here and stare at each other, I don't give a sh@@.
Now, we had both ordered the same steak but his was larger and he shoveled his in and was done quickly. I was taking more time, partly because my one hand was still being held hostage.
I decided the best way to eat my dinner was to cut my entire steak all at once so that if I only had one hand, I could still enjoy my steak.
At this point he starts scooping more corn on my plate. I told him i didn't care for any more corn. Well, come to find out, the reason he is doing that is because he starts eating the corn straight out of the serving dish! Why in the world didn't he just have it on his plate to begin with?
Next is when the real crazy started. Without asking me, he takes his hands and starts eating steak off my plate! He didn't ask if I was done, or, ask if he could taste my steak (even though we both ordered the same kind). Super odd and I really struggled to stay quiet.
He then invites me to his house the next night so he could make me dinner. I was so uncomfortable in a public place with him, I couldn't imagine doing this. I told him I had plans but appreciated the offer.
Now the bill comes. It is $300.00 for both of us. With tip he was in $360.00. Not sure why he wanted such an extravagant first date. He happily paid the bill though and said he had a nice time. We never went out again.
Lesson learned? Money can’t buy etiquette. And, be weary of someone bragging so much. I had a feeling it was all talk.
Thank you for sharing, friend. You deserve happiness and love your adventures attempting to find it. Wishing you the best along with health and safety!