6 people dish on the worst date they’ve been on in Charlotte
We’ve all been there. A really amazing person with ocean eyes ended up kissing you like a fish. Or maybe it was your fault the vibe went south, and you tried to make a move on someone at a bar and fell down the stairs instead. Regardless, we feel your pain. And we got some readers to tell us their worst dating stories in Charlotte. Don’t worry, we’re not naming names.
The following stories were edited minimally for brevity and clarity.
The one where everything seemed meant to be, until he lied about his age.
The date when it all went wrong: Second date
Date spot: Ru Sans
The story: I met a blue-eyed Brazilian man out at the bar and he asked for my number. It wasn’t until a year later when we ran into each other again that I decided to go on a date with him. (Meant to be, right!) First date was great. He told me stories about his family, that he was 25, and by date two I had a gut feeling the stories and his age didn’t add up. He mentioned at 25 he was a member of a country club, he went to college in Kentucky, owned a business, blah blah blah. I ended up Googling his phone number and found out he was about 38 years old, lived in Kentucky, never went to college there and was previously married, with two kids. WHAT?!? On Valentine’s Day he asked to go to the movies. I blocked his number. Good riddance. –MC
The one where a gurney and an ambulance had to get involved.
The date when it all went wrong: First date
Date spot: Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
The story: I met up with a girl I had met through some new friends. I was relatively new to Charlotte at this point, so I was trying to make friends ASAP. We met at OMB on a day where it was at least 95 degrees outside. After sitting out in the shade for a while, we decided to move inside for some ac. We found a spot at a standing high top table. I started not feeling well — mainly dizzy. So I found a spot to sit down hoping to feel better after sitting. After a few minutes I felt all right enough to get up and close my tab. I took about four steps toward the bar and then collapsed to the ground. I had never passed out before so I had no idea that my symptoms were leading to this. I immediately came top; there was a very drunk woman yelling in my face “are you on drugs” repeatedly. I was confused and looked around to see all 300 or so people crowded inside staring at me. My date was standing off to the side clearly uncomfortable and confused. OMB called 911 and I had to deal with the EMTs rolling a full gurney into OMB. I told them I was fine so I walked out with them (meanwhile my date is following along). We all climb in to the back of the parked ambulance and they take my vitals, etc. Ultimately they didn’t know what was wrong with me, and had my date sign as a witness for me denying further care. Not surprisingly, we didn’t go on another date. –JM
The one where it was normal, until the air drums came out.
The date when it all went wrong: First date
Date spot: Tavern on the Tracks
The story: I met this fellow through Tinder, and we decided to meet up for a drink after a few days of texting. It started off pretty normal, but then the music got louder and this guy (who was also in a band) started getting really into it. He would be mid-conversation and stop talking to play air drums/guitar, and then start talking again like it was normal. After this happened at least 10 times, I made an excuse to leave. –BS
[Related: I’m 26, have never had a serious relationship, and still don’t want one right now]
The one where he wasn’t exactly a lawyer.
The date when it all went wrong: Second date
Date spot: Fahrenheit and All American Pub
The story: I met a guy on Tinder and we went out twice, had a good time. I started noticing pieces of our conversation weren’t adding up, so like most twenty-something girls, I took to some old-fashioned internet stalking. Come to find out, the “lawyer” I had gone out with was not a lawyer. He just worked for a law firm. Ok, no big deal, but kind of weird to lie about. I called him out on it nicely because he was obviously embarrassed, and he insisted he was actually a lawyer. Then admitted he wasn’t. THEN admitted that he was actually kicked out of law school for drug arrests. I said I didn’t want to hang out anymore because of his dishonesty and you would’ve thought I ended a five-year relationship due to his over-the-top reaction about our “connection” and how I wasn’t giving nice guys like him a chance. Side note: I ended up marrying an actual lawyer two years later. –LD
The one who just wanted to take shots.
The date when it all went wrong: First date
Date spot: Blue Olive Lounge
The story: This was our first time meeting — we had only been messaging online. We were supposed to meet at a restaurant but I forgot there was a major college basketball game on and the place was packed, so we had to quickly change plans. He suggested a nearby hookah lounge. I had never been there before, but it was close by. I quickly discovered this was his hangout and he knew pretty much everyone there. Not really ideal for a first date — a dark, seedy bar full of hookah smoke and questionable characters. When I arrived, I was felt very out of place. I was clearly overdressed and people were staring at me. There was nowhere to sit so we had to stand — and I had heels on. He had on jeans, sneakers and a white tee. Really? He was also already drinking. He bought me a drink and we started awkwardly making small talk. He kept cursing (like repeatedly dropping the f-bomb) for no reason (although he said he knew my religion was important to me). Within minutes I discovered he pretty much lied about his job — he said one thing before and then that night said he had quit a job he hated and just “kind of” started his own business a couple weeks ago. …We finally got a table and he asked me did I want to take shots! On a first date? Was it going that badly or did this dude just like to turn up during any occasion? I declined and he proceeded to take shots without me. Mercy. Then his friends came over to the table. …He went outside, without telling me, and left me alone with his friends for about 20 or more minutes! At that point I was ready to go. –-VB
The one with the bad tipper.
The date when it all went wrong: First date
Date spot: Foxcroft Wine Co.
The story: He looked great on paper (i.e., smartphone screen). Attractive, age appropriate, worked at a reputable company, could engage in fun text banter and picked a great venue for a first date. After a long day at the office and dashing from a super hard workout, I was really looking forward to a nice evening of wine and nosh. He showed up 20 minutes late, steered me away from the glass of wine I wanted (perhaps I should have held my ground there, but I was trying to be polite), and told our waiter that no, we would not be ordering food, just a glass of wine each. And then he nursed that one glass for over an hour while evading every question I asked. While he did pick up the check, I noticed a $1 tip. We separated awkwardly in the parking lot. I went back in and left a bigger tip and then went home in a fit of hunger and ate half the contents of my refrigerator while shutting down my dating app profile. Maybe it wasn’t the worst date ever, but it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I’m seeking a relationship in a more organic fashion now: by doing what makes me happy! –KK
Featured photo: CharlotteFive
This story was originally published May 6, 2018 at 11:03 PM with the headline "6 people dish on the worst date they’ve been on in Charlotte."