I hadn’t dated in four years, and had just gone through a bad break up, so was emotionally unsteady and unprepared for the dating world. But when the first post break up nice guy asked me out to dinner, I was so flattered and surprised, I automatically said yes. I met him at the restaurant; we were about to order, when he leaned across the table and asked me, “So, am I paying for this or are we splitting it or what?” I had assumed we would split the bill (arrested dating development), so I said, ‘No, I’ll pay for myself.’ Didn’t realize what a schmuck he was until I told that story to my girlfriends, at which point I realized it was over before it began.

—Sasha

Aftermath: One more “date,” where I paid for myself—again.

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