I went on a date with a guy my friend set me up with. He showed up with flowers (not a grocery store bunch, actual roses). Dinner was perfect. He was charming, opened doors, and pulled out my chair. When the check came, I reached for my wallet. Big mistake. “Absolutely not,” he said, sliding his card down. “A man pays on the first date.” I walked away thinking it was one of the best first dates ever.

That was until the next morning when I saw that he’d sent me a Venmo request for half the bill—plus the flowers. Subject line: “Fair’s fair .”

I stared at my phone, jaw on the floor. The roses? $38. Dinner split? $47.50. He even added a $2 “service fee” for “handling the reservation.” I laughed, then cried, then blocked him.

My friend called, mortified. “I had no idea he was that guy.” Apparently, he’d bragged in their group chat about “teaching women independence.” I sent him the full amount with a note: “Lesson learned. Next time, I’ll pay upfront—and bring my own flowers.”

Now I tell everyone: charm is free, but always check the fine print.