I Went On A Date Thinking I’d Met Someone Special, But His Next Call Changed Everything
I thought I had met someone truly impressive on a date. He ordered expensive dishes, talked about luxury travel, and seemed sophisticated. But when the bill arrived, he insisted we split it—and then later texted me demanding an extra $3.75 for a coffee refill I’d had.
I paid to avoid further contact, but he messaged again days later asking to split the cost of an espresso we shared. I ended things immediately.
A week later, I ran into him at a party. He brazenly asked me to pay for a complimentary water. My friend later told me he had a reputation for nickel-and-diming his dates.
A month after that, I witnessed him stealing from a donation box at a charity event. I reported him, and he was removed. He later texted, blaming me for ruining his reputation.
Months later, I saw him at a grocery store. He looked tired and admitted he’d been deep in debt, and his petty behavior was a misguided way to cope. He apologized and said he was working to change.
I genuinely wished him well. The experience taught me that pettiness often stems from hidden struggles. While it doesn’t excuse poor behavior, it’s not our burden to carry.
Set boundaries, trust actions over words, and remember that people can change—even if the path is messy.
