When my brother encouraged me to go out with his friend Andy, a flicker of reluctance stirred within me. Despite this initial hesitation, I chose to embrace the opportunity. To my profound delight, Andy surpassed every anticipation—he arrived with a warm smile, a bouquet of flowers, and impeccable manners. During our dinner, he posed insightful questions, listened intently to my responses, and sprinkled the conversation with humor that had me laughing. Following a succession of lackluster past dates, I found myself pondering whether Andy might be a refreshing change, someone truly worth knowing. As the server brought our dessert, a spark of optimism bloomed, suggesting that my brother’s suggestion might have been spot-on.
I’ve long maintained a firm principle: never accept a ride home on a first date. Yet, when Andy declared it was the courteous thing to do, I wavered briefly before agreeing. True to his word, he drove me home safely, parking neatly in front of my building and waiting until I stepped inside. That small gesture of care left me feeling that he was genuinely considerate. After closing my door, a smile lingered on my face, and I wondered if this could be the beginning of something meaningful.
That optimism faded quickly. The following morning, my phone pinged with a payment request from Andy. He had meticulously listed the evening’s expenses, billing me for gas, parking, and even a so-called “car cleaning fee.” The total amounted to slightly over $37. Stunned, I chuckled at his boldness before sending him $50, accompanied by a brief note: “Thirteen dollars for opening my door.” Immediately after, I blocked his contact and shared the screenshots with my brother, who was equally astonished by the absurdity.
A week later, I came across a TikTok where another woman recounted an eerily similar encounter, extending right down to the outrageous invoice. It became evident that Andy had turned his dating life into a peculiar side hustle. The online community roasted him relentlessly, and I found a strange comfort in their witty remarks. What could have been a disheartening experience transformed into an amusing anecdote I now share with friends. Fundamentally, it reinforced the importance of trusting my gut—and sticking to my rule of always securing my own ride home.
