A first date can be nerve-wracking. You have no idea if you’ll like the other person or if they’ll like you. And prior to the date, it’s hard to prevent your mind from running wild, imagining all of the possible scenarios. What if he’s super creepy and I want to leave immediately? Or, what if he’s perfect but I end up with food in my teeth the entire night?
There’s only one way to find out if you’re compatible: being brave enough to go on the date. And if it doesn’t work out, well, hopefully you’ll at least get a good story to tell. Netizens have recently been recalling the cringiest moments they’ve ever experienced on first dates, so we’ve compiled a list of their stories below. Enjoy scrolling through these tales that might make you happy to simply stay single, and be sure to upvote the ones that you can’t believe are true!
#1
Dated a lawyer. We met for lunch. After we ordered, his phone rang. It was his business partner. They proceeded to talk THE ENTIRE DATE. I don’t know why I felt I had to stay (old fashion values perhaps?) but I did. When we were done eating (he’s still on the phone), he pays the bill and we start a walk. I’m heading to my car with him walking with me. When we get to my car, he attempted to kiss me! Dude, you just in muted me for 30+ minutes. I don’t think so.
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27points
#2
Another date, the guy kept trying to hold my hand and touch my leg. I kept removing his hand from my leg. So finally I said I needed to leave. He said he would walk to my my car. He went to put his arm around me and I couldn’t stop him and he grabbed my boob with his hand. I turned around so fast and was like “you can leave now or I’ll scream” he walked the other way. Men.
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25points
#3
The guy spent the entire dinner lobbing Seinfeld quotes at me. It got to the point, when he went to the bathroom, the table next to me said if I wanted to run, they would cover for me by claiming I had an emergency.
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24points
The best way to go into a first date is with an open mind. But according to a 2023 survey, it takes an extremely short amount of time for people to decide whether or not they want a second date: 19 minutes to be exact. As far as how daters make this decision, physical appearance definitely plays a part. But apparently, manners, personality, and conversation skills are even more important.
Over half of the survey respondents also said that they would get the ick if the other person mentioned intimacy on the first date. Other topics that you should steer clear of on a first date are exes and religion. But something that will impress 76% of people on the first date is making it clear that you’re concerned about the environment and live a sustainable lifestyle.
#4
He said to me, in all seriousness, “I hold the women I date to a higher standard than I hold myself”. Buddy said the quiet part out loud.
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23points
#5
I was in the military and lived in the barracks on base. He said we were going out to eat, so I dressed up cute. He picked me up in a Mercedes that was filthy on the inside, trash everywhere. Then he took me to the Wendy’s on base- through the drive through! At the window, his card was declined so I had to pay. He apparently thought we were going to go back to my room and have s*x. I made him drop me off and sent him on his way.
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23points
#6
I met a guy who seemed perfectly fine on paper. Met at a public place where I was comfortable and familiar with the exits. He was so arrogant, rude to our server, very condescending about my drink and food options. When the check came I insisted on paying half and he asked me if I could even afford it?! Then had the audacity to want to follow me home. I told him he had a better chance of seeing Jesus. Drove 20 minutes out of my way home to make sure he didn’t follow me.
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22points
Now, if you’re determined to land a second date, Hinge has some advice. They explain that the perfect formula for getting a second date is timing + enthusiasm + intent. Three-quarters of Hinge users expect a follow-up message either the same day or the day after their date. Meanwhile, 44% of daters on Hinge say that the most attractive aspect of a follow-up message is the person expressing enthusiasm or interest.
And nearly half of all Hinge users prefer their match to show interest in a second date, but it’s not a requirement to immediately lock down the location or specific details. Of course, it doesn’t matter what the person says later if the first date was a trainwreck. But if you’re genuinely interested in them, don’t be scared to make that clear!
#7
He was late and he forgot his wallet so I bought myself some coffee and at the end of the date he yelled at me, “did you want me to be on time or did you want me to bring my wallet?” And I just told him, “I want you to go home and think about what you just said.”
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22points
#8
It was my second year at university, went on an internet blind date with a law student. He turned out to be a Christian Right extremist who patiently explained to me that men just wanted to take care of women, and I should let them by being obedient and settling down.
On one hand, way to go all in on a first date. On the other hand, thank you for helping me dodge nice and early.
On one hand, way to go all in on a first date. On the other hand, thank you for helping me dodge nice and early.
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22points
#9
Went on a date where this man decided to mock everything that I loved: hobbies, movies, books, etc and then doubled down and began criticizing anyone who actually enjoyed anything about those things. He got heated, I felt threatened. I shut down and just waited for my ride to get there. It was bizarre.
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21points
Are you enjoying these stories about absolutely terrible first dates, pandas? Keep upvoting the ones about dates that you would have run away from too, and let us know in the comments below what the cringiest moment you’ve ever experienced on a date was. Then, if you’re interested in checking out another article from Bored Panda discussing absolutely awful first dates, look no further than right here!
#10
I turned up and the guy told me he had a gift for me. Kinda freaky, but ok, maybe it’s ok. He hands me this gift bag and inside, was a black lacy thong. I didn’t know what to say. I should’ve just left, but instead I agreed to go for one drink.
The guy was totally different in real life than he was in his messages. After a pretty awkward 30 mins or so, I made my excuses and went to go. He tried to kiss me and then messaged me later, super positive about how it went. Like he legit thought it went well and wanted to arrange a second date.
We did not have a second date.
The guy was totally different in real life than he was in his messages. After a pretty awkward 30 mins or so, I made my excuses and went to go. He tried to kiss me and then messaged me later, super positive about how it went. Like he legit thought it went well and wanted to arrange a second date.
We did not have a second date.
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21points
#11
Met her at a bar, proceeded to laugh and spit beer all over her arm. Why she continued to date me, I'll never know.
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20points
#12
Guy spent the entire date giving me hypothetical questions “let’s say I’m running late from work and you were planning on cooking dinner, would you make the meal and eat alone or would you wait for me?” “Let’s say you were wearing a dress I didn’t like, would you insist on wearing it or change for me?” Also he was about 10 years older, and 75 lbs heavier than what his profile showed. Like you think I won’t notice?!
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18points
#13
Went on a date to the zoo with an acquaintance I knew from school. He proceeded to loudly point out all the animals he could take in a fight. In what world could your 12 stone a*s beat a fully grown adult gorilla or rhino, Paul? He also said that if he was on a plane and the pilot died mid-flight, he would be able to take over and fly the plane for the rest of the journey. And no, he was not a pilot.
We had lunch in the park and he kept pointing out how I'm prettier than his ex, I've got a better body than his ex, I'm funnier and smarter than his ex. Shut the f*ck up about your ex and don't you dare try to lift me up by putting another woman down.
Three days later he and his ex got back together.
We had lunch in the park and he kept pointing out how I'm prettier than his ex, I've got a better body than his ex, I'm funnier and smarter than his ex. Shut the f*ck up about your ex and don't you dare try to lift me up by putting another woman down.
Three days later he and his ex got back together.
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18points
#14
He said he was a non smoker. I got there early and saw him smoking in his car. When he came inside he reeked, and when asked told me that he had to drop a family member off and they smoked in his car. The lying already.
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17points
#15
He took me to a restaurant where his daughter was the server. He bragged about how beautiful I was. She was VISIBLY uncomfortable. As the evening wore on, I figured out his goal was for his child to bring back a message to her mom that he was able to “find” someone. Yeah dude. For about 90 minutes until she figured out what a jerk you are.
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17points
#16
He was wearing a suit and brought a briefcase to a dive bar. Said vegetarians (like me) were destroying the environment. Got angry when I beat him at ping pong. Also mentioned he had some “skin condition” that made it so he couldn’t do dishes so I would need to do all of them, but luckily we could just turn it into a s*xy dom/sub game. 🙄🙄🙄 What a weirdo.
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17points
#17
Mine was WILD This man spent our first date telling me about a very specific bedroom fantasy he wanted his future wife to participate in. Then he casually mentioned that his brother and his brother’s wife do something similar. SIR??? This was our FIRST time sitting together at a table. You don’t even know my favourite food yet and you’re already giving me the requirements for the position of “future wife.” And the funniest part? He only bought me an energy drink.
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16points
#18
This guy took me to a restaurant and ate all of my garlic knots in front of me and then started saying all this stuff about how horrible women were and they need to learn to respect men and how he hated his sister for dating a black guy. Then when we got back in his car he started unbuckling his pants and said “hey wanna give me a blow job?” I said that I would just walk and thanks but no thanks!
He texted me after trying to set up our second date. Blocked.
He texted me after trying to set up our second date. Blocked.
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16points
#19
I am not sure if it was the part where he took his shirt off in the middle of a crowded bar to show me the Blessed Virgin tattoo he had done on his back in memory of his mother.. the part where he reached under my skirt to squeeze the inside of thigh and say “a little toning up and you’d be super hot,” the part where he yelled at me for not finishing my meal.. or the part where he licked my face in the car because I didn’t want to make out.. I am so glad that young women today have Uber and cells phones! Getting out of bad situations in the early ‘90’s was hard!!!!
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16points
#20
Once had a guy ask me about a million times if I'd ever been beat up and then couldn't understand why I wouldn't go home with him.
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15points