This man didn’t take you on a date. he dragged you through his evening. There’s a huge difference. You showed up with intention, effort, and openness. He showed up like he was killing time before something better came along. That mismatch alone tells you everything. Let me tell you what really happened here, in simple, honest truth:
He didn’t value the date or you. That wasn’t nervousness. That was entitlement. No compliment, dressed sloppy, taking the remote out of your hand… that’s someone who’s used to putting himself first and expects you to orbit around him.
He showed you his priorities. He didn’t want a movie because he didn’t want to see anything. He didn’t want bowling because he couldn’t win. He made zero effort to create a shared experience. A man who likes you wants to see you smile not see himself win.
You were the only one dating that night. You were trying to make the night fun. He was trying to make the night convenient. That’s not partnership. That’s you performing and he is spectating.
You didn’t “mess up” he revealed himself early. And honestly? Thank God he did. Because you could’ve wasted months thinking he might be thoughtful, romantic, or generous… but he showed you on night one that he’s none of those things. What I think as gently as I can say it:
He’s not your guy. You’re too emotionally aware, too kind, too open for someone this self-centred.
You don’t need to teach a man how to treat you. The right man shows up already wanting to.
Keep dressing up. Keep being warm. Keep being you. Just give that energy to someone who’s actually thrilled to receive it.
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