I would really appreciate any help! I connected with this guy on a dating app a few months ago and we started texting. It naturally paused for a while because I was traveling during the holidays, and he said update him once I returned. However, I had to deal with a traumatic personal matter and needed time to decompress after the loss. I was still thinking of him though and knew I had to text him. A month later, I apologized and explained everything; he was thankfully understanding.
Eventually, it developed into having several phone calls for 2-3 hours each time (the first one initiated by me). Talking on the calls was so natural and just flew by. Then we soon met for our first date in person, and I know the order of events was perhaps already the road less traveled creating a disadvantage, but the date didn’t go well. He mentioned feeling nervous and kept asking if I was too leading up to the day of, so I tried to make him feel more at ease. I recognize that the guy does not owe the gal in that he needs to pay for her, as assumed by certain gender role stereotypes, but from my experience the majority have at least offered to cover a beverage and it is appreciated. He did not, and threw me off even more by taking my coffee (I ordered first and we ultimately had the same order), leaving me there awkwardly waiting for the next one to be made while he put his cream/sugar in. I felt that was strange and rude right off the bat, even with nerves.
When he mentioned the next spot he wanted to head to after that, we went inside but it was too crowded and I consider it to be one of my safe havens in general so I started feeling anxious about spending hours with him there especially after the coffee incident. I politely suggested a similar smaller, less crowded venue and he seemed offput, almost as if I was personally attacking his choice. We did go but he made remarks that alluded it fell short of his expectations. This was right before Valentine’s Day so I wasn’t exactly surprised when neither of us reached back out until he did 1.5 months later, apologizing for ghosting me and saying he wasn’t mentally ready for dating and felt really lost. I haven’t replied and it’s been another month.
Part of me wants to reply but I cringe at the thought of him ignoring it for another month and this continuing to drag out (I take accountability for contributing to that), or worse - ghosting me completely. I don’t see a romantic future with him at this point and want to handle this the right way, or perhaps more accurately damage control. Should I reply or leave it be? If reply, how should I phrase the text? Was the coffee thing just due to nerves? Thoughts on whether guys should pay on the first date and if it’s okay for the gal to counter with a different venue for the first date? Any other input/advice?
You mention gender role stereotypes but then fall prey to one when you clearly think you should be served first because of your gender. If you don’t believe in equality and would rather stick to ancient and out of date traditions that’s fine but perhaps he is a bit more progressive and you are not well suited to each other.
It’s ok for a woman to pay, it’s ok for a woman to suggest a second venue, it’s ok for a woman to make the first move. It’s not 1950 any more.
Regardless, like others have mentioned, having this much to question after one date isn’t a good sign.
“I ordered first and we ultimately had the same order” Read ro me as if OP ordered, he waited a bit and ordered a coffee too, which is why they weren’t served together. But it is entirely possible that I’m reading too much into that sentence
Yes, it’s true and the coffee shop calls out by drink rather than by name, so isn’t it rude that he swooped in to grab mine when he knew we ordered the same exact thing? Please see my comment above for more context
The fact that people are downvoting your comment doesnt speak to the progressiveness of this place at all.
I’m a little new to the downvote part of the platform. How can we see downvotes? When my mouse hovers above the upvote icon, it says 0 Downvotes. Or someone un-did their upvote?
It rectified itself. Nevermind
Thanks for your input. Maybe it wasn’t clear in the post: it was a fast food type coffee shop where you order in line and then sit down. The fact that I placed my order first, before he then ordered a coffee identical to mine, makes me wonder why it would be acceptable for him to abruptly grab the first one that was ready on the counter, without even so much as a word or a glance, and walk away to a different counter to do whatever while I was stunned, speechless, and just waiting for the next one. He clearly saw me waiting, didn’t bother to say a word, and showed no remorse afterwards even if he somehow didn’t hear my order from a few inches away (highly unlikely). First impression in person too. I get that there will be people who don’t care about the coffee ordeal, however I wouldn’t even think of doing that to someone else, regardless of gender or any other characteristic - especially on a 1st date. It’s just weird and rude. At the very least, I would confirm what the other ordered (which he already asked before we actually ordered) and freaking let them have a chance to pick it up, as they ordered first. If at a restaurant, the party behind you was served first for the same exact order, wouldn’t you feel at least it’s a little unfair? And in this case, it was your date who intentionally made that happen, not the waiter/waitress? Anyway, I agree with everything else in your comment