First dates can be awkward, and mine with a guy named Mark, who seemed polite and charming, started off smoothly. He showed up on time, looking sharp and confident, so I believed it would be a nice evening worth giving a shot. But as dinner progressed, he started bragging about his gym routine. What’s more, he talked about it the entire night, making no effort at all to get to know me.
When the server brought the food — he ordered grilled fish, no sides, while I got truffle gnocchi — he commented, “You can tell how much self-respect someone has by what’s on their plate.”
I tried to laugh it off, but his comment did stay with me.
Things took a turn when the dessert menu arrived. Before I could even look at it, Mark closed it and told the waiter, “She’ll pass. She’s had enough.” I wasn’t even sure if I heard that right, could he really be saying something like that on a first date?
“Actually, I’d like to see the menu,” I said, but Mark cut me saying, “Dessert is just empty calories, sweetheart. I prefer skinny women.”
Rather than get upset, I chose to respond with grace, because yes, dessert really is a privilege. I smiled at the server and asked to send desserts to two lovely older women sitting behind us. Seconds later, I joined their table.
We spent the rest of the evening laughing and sharing desserts, from tiramisu to panna cotta while Mark stayed glued to his table, clearly out of place.
One of the women raised her glass and said, “You made the right choice.” Everyone around us smiled, and in that moment, I felt a quiet confidence wash over me. Honestly, standing up for myself had never felt so good.
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