Bad Date #4: The Really Blind Date

Here’s a lesson I learned a long time ago:

Never meet someone from the internet without seeing a picture first.

I was about 20 or 21, maybe in my second or third year of college at UF in Gainesville, when I started talking to a guy from Orlando. We hit it off over the phone—hours of conversation, easy banter, real connection.

He told me I’d seen his picture before (spoiler: I hadn’t), and he spoke so highly of his appearance that I... just went with it. Young, naïve, and curious, I agreed to meet him.

We planned a date for one of the weekends I was visiting home in Orlando. He chose a popular restaurant near International Drive.

I pulled into the parking lot, and as I stepped out of my car, he greeted me with a rose. Sweet, right?

Except...

I had never seen this man in my life.

He was not what I expected physically—and definitely not my type. But I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt because our phone connection had been so strong.

I kissed him on the cheek, placed the rose in the backseat, and tried to keep an open mind.

When Words Disappear

We sat down at the restaurant.
And then... crickets.

He had nothing to say.
This man who had once talked to me for hours was suddenly shy and stiff. To pass the time, I started listening to two Italian men at a nearby table and translated their conversation (I was taking Italian at the time).

He asked, “Is something wrong?”
I said, “No... I’m just surprised you’re not talking much.”

His reply?

“I’m nervous.”

I gently reminded him that we’d been talking nonstop for two weeks—there was no reason to be nervous now. But the vibe was gone, and so was the conversation.

The Turning Point

After dinner, he suggested we head downtown. I thought, Why not? At least we won’t have to talk much.

On the way, he stopped at a gas station. That’s when he looked at me and asked:

“You’re not attracted to me, are you?”

I was stunned. Cornered in his car, caught off guard, and way too young to have a polished answer. I tried to deflect and told him we should just enjoy the night.

But he pressed me to answer.

So I did—honestly but gently. I told him I wasn’t physically attracted to him, but I had come on the date because of our amazing phone conversations. I hoped we could still have a good time.

Unfortunately, there was no conversation, no chemistry—just awkward energy and silence.

And Then It Got Worse

We ended up at a rooftop club downtown. On the way up, I dropped my license, and he offered to hold it for me. I let him.

I was determined to make the most of this disaster.

Then we started dancing.
And I could feel... things.

His manhood was aggressively pressed into my back.

Nope.

I turned to him and said I needed to use the restroom. He walked me to the door. I splashed cold water on my face and spent ten minutes breathing.

When I came out, I asked him to take me back to my car.

The Meltdown

As we walked to the garage, he turned to me and said:

“You are the most selfish, self-centered b**ch I’ve ever met in my life. I can’t believe I let myself care about you.”

I was speechless.

I responded:

“Are you joking? I tried to talk to you all night—and you couldn’t hold a conversation with someone you’ve been talking to for two weeks?”

He just kept going.
Insults. Name-calling. Anger.
I stayed silent the rest of the ride.

When we finally reached my car, I slammed his door.

Never looked back.
Never got my driver’s license back either. 🙃