First dates are always a mixed bag. You walk in with expectations, nerves tingling, and hope that everything goes smoothly. But when things start to go south from the very beginning, it’s hard to recover. This particular story by Redditor dahlia_74 starts like that—a bad first impression that somehow just kept getting worse.

“Went on a first date with someone a few months ago. Off to a bad start, we met at the restaurant and while waiting for our table, he struck up a conversation with one of the band members. He obviously knew him and kept yapping until we were seated, he did not introduce me which was awkward.”

Right out of the gate, things weren’t looking great. Imagine standing there, waiting for your date to acknowledge you, but instead, they’re too wrapped up in conversation with someone else. It’s already uncomfortable, and not being introduced makes it even worse. First impressions matter, and in this case, it’s clear the date wasn’t off to a strong one.

The lack of introduction sends a signal, doesn’t it? It’s like being an extra in a scene where you were supposed to be the lead. You’re left standing there, unsure if you’re even part of the evening.

“The band member came over to our table to talk with him two more times through the date, and I was finally introduced half heartedly the third time.”

This is the moment where things shift from awkward to downright uncomfortable. Three interactions before a proper introduction? That’s a recipe for disaster in any social situation, let alone a first date. A half-hearted introduction after multiple interruptions signals not only disinterest but also a serious lack of awareness on the date’s part.

This is where you might start wondering: is this person here to date you, or is it just another night out where you’ve become background noise?

“He spent the next half hour bragging about how much money his family had, and the rest of the time would not shut up about his music career and recording in Nashville even called himself a B List musician with only a couple hundred monthly listeners on Spotify 😭”

There’s nothing quite like a date that turns into a one-sided monologue, especially when it involves someone flexing their status or achievements. Talking about your family’s wealth on a first date? Major red flag. It’s not that discussing your career is off-limits, but there’s a difference between sharing and boasting.

For the poor person on the receiving end of this diatribe, the words “B List musician” might as well have been a neon sign for self-importance. Cue the internal eye roll.

“After dinner he struck up a conversation with the very pretty blonde bartender, for like 5 minutes. He did not introduce me either. 🙃”

At this point, it’s hard not to feel invisible. Not only did he ignore introducing her to his musician buddy, but now he’s striking up a lengthy chat with the bartender—again, without acknowledging his date. That sinking feeling of being a third wheel on your own date? Yeah, it’s real, and it’s not pleasant.

It’s one thing to be friendly, but when it verges on flirting in front of your date, it’s a whole different ballgame. No wonder she started throwing in the sarcasm by this point.

“Gave me 1 compliment the entire night which was, and I quote, ‘Sorry, this may just be the musician in me, but… I love the way your hair blows in the wind’”

Okay, let’s pause here. Compliments are tricky—they can be sweet or cringe-worthy depending on the delivery. In this case, it’s the latter. “The way your hair blows in the wind” sounds more like a line from a cheesy romance novel, and not in a good way. You can practically feel the awkwardness radiating from this moment.

And the “musician in me” bit? Not helping. It’s almost as if he’s trying too hard to sound poetic and deep, but it’s just coming off as disingenuous. Cue the polite smile and inward cringe.

“Wasn’t sure how to respond to that 😂 it was a comically horrible date. He also insisted on kissing me afterwards which was not cool 🤠”

When a date is so bad it crosses into comedic territory, that’s when you know it’s truly one for the books. After all the missteps, awkward interactions, and self-centered talk, insisting on a kiss is just the final nail in the coffin. There’s no coming back from that level of obliviousness.

It’s the kind of date that makes you laugh afterward but leaves you questioning how it even got that far in the first place.

Final Thoughts: When a Date Becomes a Cautionary Tale

This story is a perfect reminder of what not to do on a first date. From the failure to introduce her to his friends and a bartender to the never-ending bragging session, this guy managed to tick off almost every red flag in the book. But even through the awkwardness, our storyteller handled it with grace, humor, and perhaps a newfound appreciation for better dates in the future.

Let this be a lesson: first dates should be about building connection, not showing off or making your date feel invisible. Oh, and a compliment or two wouldn’t hurt—just maybe leave the “musician in me” lines at home.