If nothing else, I took away a vital lesson: always pay close attention to the small red flags before they have the chance to grow into massive, life-altering problems. Anyone who views basic courtesy, kindness, or generosity as a debt that is waiting to be collected is not romantic or charming—they are deeply manipulative.
So now, when friends or new acquaintances ask me about my absolute worst dating experience, I don’t even have to pause.
The story always gets a huge laugh, but I always make sure to add the important punchline: “And he really thought I’d pay.”
The truth is, I did pay a price that night—just not in the way he fully expected. I paid attention. And that valuable awareness is worth far, far more than any dinner bill.
