I will NEVER fall for this again! -STORYTIME!
Inspired by some triggered memories via a few dating posts lol enjoy!
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I started working this gig job over a the summer few years ago. Its was food delivery service from a warehouse. Pay was pretty good and it was convenient for what I needed. It was full of mostly men and few women.
As I spent more time at the job there was a lot of flirting between coworkers. I had just graduated from college not to long ago so, this dynamic was very new to me. A few of the guys tried to ask me out and I declined. One of the guys (lets call him Paul cuz I really donโt remember his name now lmao) Paul was short light skin bald man with charisma. I liked him enough to accept his advances (though I shouldnโt mix work w/pleasure but, here we go) and said yes when he asked me out. He was excited, as was I because I enjoyed our witty conversations & jokes. (I also got out of a rs 6 months ago and felt like it was time to move on)
So, boom. Date is set for later that week on Friday. All is well until the next day โฆ Paul starts confirming our date in front of every one near or far at work. I mean out loud across the hall and in person. Like โ We still on for Friday? โ โWe still meeting at 6 right?โ Liike sir, you couldnโt just text me? Whatโs really going on here?
This particular day I worked 10hour shift. The day goes on and every-time we cross paths its the same convo but he is very mindful to speak louder when the other male workers are around. I started to get annoyed. Our coworkers were snickering and there were a lot more eyes on me than Iโd like. I noticed thereโs something else going on.
One of my female coworkers starts to complain about the harassment the next day to myself and older coworker (John) who is pretty introverted, but nice. John then spills the tea about what he had heard. Paul and the other guys had a bet on how many women from the job they could get to go on dates. They were ranked to be the most attractive female workers. We were apparently on the list. The guys didnโt believe Paul actually got a date with me so, thats why he was being so loud about our date to the others for confirmation. He didnโt want to look like a fool or a lier to them, but to me it was already to late.
I was furious! I had heard of women getting caught up in dating bets but, never thought that would happen to me. At the end of my shift, I confronted him via text for at first he denied then finally admitted it. I canceled our date immediately and he apologized. Though i didnโt feel it was sincere but for the sake of work I let it go. He was sorry for getting caught, not sorry for his actions!
When the guys found out that I canceled our date and that I knew about the bet the guys stopped flirting with me, as I could easily take this to HR. However, that didnโt stop them for cracking jokes on Paul. Which I didnโt care. I didnโt want work to be awkward anymore but I also wasnโt going to give that man-child an ounce of my time either.
I learn a few things that day. In no particular order!
๐ฉ๐ฝโโค๏ธโ๐จ๐ฝ.I really REALLY value my privacy.
๐ฉ๐ฝโโค๏ธโ๐จ๐ฝ2.A real man respects his &his womanโs privacy.
๐ฉ๐ฝโโค๏ธโ๐จ๐ฝ3.He has intergrity and doesnโt play games when he wants to court you! Nuff said.
๐ฉ๐ฝโโค๏ธโ๐จ๐ฝ4. That would be the first and last time I ever ATTEMPT to date anyone from my job lol. Your job is there to improve your career and provide a stable lifestyle. Anything else (relationship-wise) is just a bonus, not a priority. Keep it cute & cordial.
๐ฉ๐ฝโโค๏ธโ๐จ๐ฝ5. I canโt stand a loud mouthed man! Ughh! If he too loud he far to concerned about getting attention from anyone and by any means necessary. Be weary of those kind of people!
So fast forward to now, you couldnโt pay me to remember his name lmao. As a Pisces woman, he is so dead to me lol ๐
๐ซต๐พHave you heard of dating bets? Have you or someone you know been caught in one? What did you think of my story and what would you have done if it was you? COMMENT Below!
#datingtips #lemon8challenge #lemon8partner #relationship #firstdate #talkingstage #boyfriend #storytime
Wow, reading my own story again still gets me! It's wild to think back to that time and how much I've grown since. When I first heard about Paul's little 'dating bet,' my stomach just dropped. It wasn't just about the date being canceled; it was the sheer disrespect and feeling like a pawn in someone else's game. Thatโs why I wanted to share more about what I learned, beyond just the immediate shock. First off, that whole experience truly hammered home how much I value my privacy, especially in the early stages of dating. When someone is genuinely interested, they respect your space and don't need to announce your every move to the world. If a potential date is constantly broadcasting your interactions, it's a huge red flag for their intentions. Are they trying to impress their friends, or are they genuinely trying to connect with *you*? This public confirmation behavior, like Paul's, isn't charming; it's a massive boundary violation and a sign of immaturity. A real man, as I learned, respects both his privacy and yours. He courts you with integrity, not with games or public displays designed to boost his ego among his friends. Another big takeaway for me was realizing the delicate balance of workplace relationships. While I initially thought it might be nice to date someone from work, this whole 'dating bet' incident made me realize that mixing work and pleasure can sometimes lead to uncomfortable situations, or worse, harassment. Your job should be a place for professional growth and a stable income, not a playground for manipulative games. If you do consider dating a coworker, proceed with extreme caution. Make sure you both understand the boundaries, keep things discreet initially, and be prepared for potential awkwardness if things don't work out. My advice? Keep it cute and cordial with colleagues, and find your romance outside the office walls. And honestly, dealing with a 'loud mouthed man' became a huge red flag for me after that. It's one thing to be confident, but it's another to constantly seek attention or validation, especially at someone's expense. If someone is overly loud or boastful, it often means they're more concerned with appearances than with genuine connection. Be wary of people who need to prove themselves to others constantly; it usually means theyโre not secure in themselves. If you ever find yourself in a situation like mine, where you suspect you're part of a game or a bet, trust your gut! Those feelings of annoyance or discomfort are valid. Don't ignore them. Confront the person calmly, as I did via text, and prioritize your dignity. It's okay to cancel a date or walk away from a potential relationship if you feel disrespected. Your peace of mind and self-worth are far more important than going through with a date out of politeness. This story wasn't just about a canceled date; it was about learning to stand up for myself and setting clear boundaries for what I will and won't accept in my dating life. Hope this helps someone else avoid a similar heartbreak!
NEVER EVER get your meat ๐ฅฉ where you get your bread ๐ต. Iโm so sorry this happened to you. But you came out on top! ๐ธ๐พ