When my brother arranged a date with Andy, I wasn’t anticipating a fairy-tale romance, but I certainly didn’t foresee receiving a bill. Andy arrived with a bouquet of flowers, courteously opened the car door, and embodied the role of a gentleman so convincingly that I nearly bought into his charm. Throughout dinner, he was engaging, humorous, and genuinely delightful. Breaking my usual habit, I allowed him to drive me home. The evening seemed to hold the promise of a great first date—until the following morning.
At 7 a.m., my phone buzzed with a PayPal notification: a $37.25 request for our “evening together.” Andy had meticulously listed expenses for gas, parking, and—most astonishingly—“puddle splash marks” on his car. I couldn’t help but laugh. This man had calculated the cost of acting courteous. In response, I sent him $50, accompanied by a note: “$13 tip for opening the door. Best wishes.” Then, I promptly blocked his contact.
When I shared the story with my brother, he was appalled—and outraged. His frustration grew when he learned Andy had boasted about our date at his pickleball group, framing it as some sort of triumph. It soon became clear this wasn’t an isolated incident. A week later, I stumbled upon a TikTok from another woman who had received an identical, ridiculous invoice from him. Reading the comments tearing into his behavior gave me the satisfying closure I hadn’t realized I needed.
Yes, I’m still single, but I’ve gained valuable wisdom. I’m happy to cover my own meal, but I won’t compensate a man for basic decency. Moving forward, I’ll arrange my own transportation, follow my instincts, and reserve tips for servers—not for would-be gentlemen wielding payment apps.