Dating

Rate My Date: The one where he got roped into a drag performance

By SCREENSHOT

Mar 16, 2023

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Name: Jojo
Pronouns: She/Her
Age: 21
Occupation: Masters student
Dating history: Lots of frogs
Looking for: Someone with tattoos and a membership to the Tate Modern

So, after having finally escaped from the complete train-wreck that is university romance, I entered my 21st year looking to have fun and meet people who were more on my level, and not solely interested in the student union dance floor.

I matched with a short king on Hinge and after briefly exchanging niceties, we set a date to visit the local Wetherspoons—romantic, I know. Anyways, the conversation was good—£4 gin and tonics to thank for that—and after knocking knees under the table for an hour or so, we decided to try out a new bar across the road.

We walked straight into a flamboyant yet intimate Drag performance. At first glance we telepathically agreed that potentially this wasn’t the most ideal ‘getting to know each other’ setting but before we had a chance to slip out the door we were acknowledged by the drag queen on stage, welcomed and set at the only free table. Naturally, the last seats left were placed directly in front of centre stage. You can see where this is going…

Despite not meaning to fall upon a live performance, we were immediately gripped. A talent show began and pretty soon we were having the best time, laughing together and screaming in admiration for the incredible performers.

Then came the comedy round—now, this is where things became truly memorable. Naturally, when it was announced that they’d be plucking a drag virgin out of the crowd to dance with onstage, I knew that my date was in trouble. And I was right.

They scooped him up, publicly acknowledging the fact that as a straight white man it was his duty and responsibility to play along—I mean, c’mon, it was the least he could do. And, to give him credit, he took it in his stride and smiled as the queens squeezed his muscles, licked his ear, and finally stripped his t-shirt off. To be completely honest, I think he quite liked it.

We walked home together, laughing and reminiscing on the events of the evening. He didn’t seem to be too scarred by the experience and, for me, it was a serious green flag to see him take it in his stride. We’ve been messaging a little bit since and I’m really keen for another date but I wanted to check what the internet’s thoughts were. Is this guy too good to be true?

Got a date of your own you’d like some advice on? Submit your first date story by filling out this form below and we’ll help you solve all your romantic receipts.

Dating

Rate My Date: The one where she brought a friend

By SCREENSHOT

Mar 9, 2023

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Name: Stephen
Pronouns: He/Him
Age: 31
Occupation: Social media guru
Dating history: Long-term relationship kind of guy
Looking for: One’s soulmate

I recently went on a date with a chick I went to college with. I hadn’t been massively into her at school but we’d spoken time and time again over the years. One day, she caught me off guard as I was walking out of work and asked me if I fancied going for dinner. I agreed as I was pretty hungry after a long shift and thought there couldn’t be anything wrong with catching up. We went for some Italian food (my favourite) and had a pretty good time.

We were chatting away and then randomly she decided to tell me that she had invited her friend to come join us, which I found a bit weird.

So straight away, I tried to figure out the motive behind this. Did she want me to buy her and her friend drinks? Was it some sort of thing to make her feel more comfortable? Or was it for some other reason? Either way, I found this all very bizarre.

A few minutes later, she began ordering ferociously off of the cocktail menu. I’m of course never one to judge, and we were having a fun time, but when she insisted on pre-ordering a bottle of wine for her friend, I began to feel slightly uncomfortable.

The night continued and, knowing that her friend would be arriving shortly, I tried to come up with an escape route. I messaged my mate and asked him to give me a call, instructing him to say on the phone that there had been an emergency and he needed my help. Thankfully, he didn’t hang about and soon my phone was buzzing on the table. I picked up—put it on loudspeaker to really make an impact—and reacted appropriately as my friend lied down the phone that he’d just been dumped and was needing some brotherly support.

This worked like a charm and gave me an opportunity to leave the situation as I feel it would have been super awkward. We’ve been messaging here and there since and if she had wanted to continue the night just the two of us I’m sure that the evening would’ve been much more of a success. Should I try and organise a second round or accept that she might’ve just been using me for the free spaghetti?

Got a date of your own you’d like some advice on? Submit your first date story by filling out this form below and we’ll help you solve all your romantic receipts.