The first date felt straight out of a rom-com. He brought real roses, opened doors, and actually paid attention. Dinner was easy, charming, and refreshing in a modern dating world where effort feels rare.
When the check came, I reached for my wallet, but he stopped me. “A man pays on the first date.” It felt confident and old-school, not controlling. I left smiling, convinced it was one of the best first dates I’d had.
The next morning, his text changed everything. He talked about traditional roles, being a provider, and having “expectations” when he pays — loyalty, effort, chemistry moving forward. Suddenly, the roses and dinner felt less romantic and more transactional.
That’s when I realized some dating red flags don’t appear at the table — they appear after. Romance without respect isn’t romance, and generosity with conditions isn’t generosity at all.
