My brother encouraged me to meet his friend Andy for a date, and though I felt hesitant at first, I agreed to give it a try. To my delight, Andy surpassed all my expectations. He arrived with a bouquet of flowers, exuded politeness, and showed genuine attentiveness throughout the evening. At dinner, he posed insightful questions, listened carefully to my responses, and sparked laughter with his humor. After enduring numerous lackluster dates, I began to wonder if Andy might be someone truly special, someone worth exploring further. By the time we reached dessert, a quiet optimism bloomed in me, hinting that my brother’s suggestion might have been spot-on.
I’ve always held a firm principle: never accept a ride home on a first date. Yet, when Andy described it as the “chivalrous” thing to do, I wavered briefly before agreeing. True to his word, he drove me home safely, stopping directly in front of my door and waiting until I stepped inside. That small gesture of care left me feeling that he was sincerely considerate. As I closed the door, a smile spread across my face, and I couldn’t help but think this could mark the beginning of something meaningful.
The enchantment faded quickly, however. The following morning, I discovered a payment request on my phone, sent by none other than Andy. He had meticulously listed expenses from our date, including gas, parking, and even a peculiar “car cleaning fee,” totaling just over $37. Stunned, I chuckled at his boldness before sending him $50, accompanied by a brief message: “Thirteen-dollar tip for opening my door.” I promptly blocked his number and shared the screenshots with my brother, who was equally astonished by the turn of events.
A week later, I came across a TikTok video where another woman recounted an eerily similar experience, right down to the absurd invoice. It became evident that Andy had turned his dates into a peculiar side hustle. The flood of online comments poking fun at him brought an unexpected sense of amusement. What could have been a disheartening moment transformed into a humorous anecdote I now share with friends. Above all, it reinforced the importance of trusting my instincts—and sticking to my rule of always arranging my own transportation home.
