Let’s face it, first dates are never easy. They usually follow at least 12 outfit changes and pep talks from your friends in hopes that this time, you’ll definitely meet someone who holds the prospect of becoming “the one.” You go in with sweaty palms and a pounding heart to navigate the rough waters of first impressions, small talk, expectations, insecurities, and a whole lot of awkward moments. You could potentially meet your one true love, after all. Or leave with a new nightmarish story to tell.
See, while every singleton has their own deal-breakers and deal-makers, a string of non-negotiable faux pas stand right at the top of the don’ts list. And when things don’t go as planned, you’re sometimes left with a total disaster. So when Jimmy Fallon tweeted “It’s Hashtags time!” and asked everyone to share their “funny or embarrassing first date story,” the thread immediately became a hit.
Today, we’re taking a deep dive into some of the weirdest, silliest, and most hilarious #WorstFirstDate scenarios, and you know it’s gonna be good. Buckle up, scroll down, upvote your favorite tweets and share your own painfully hilarious experiences in the comments. For even more entertainment, be sure to check out our previous pieces on recent Fallon challenges here: #AddAWordRuinAProduct, #WhyImSingle, and #WorstSummerJob.
#1
Final score: 214points 
Anonymous Anonymous Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
Better safe than sorry!
75 75points reply #2
Final score: 205points Nathaniel Nathaniel Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
I bet he says on his dating profile GSOH a must.
20 20points reply View More Replies…
As the host of The Tonight Show often announces before he reads his favorite responses, each hashtag usually becomes a trending topic on Twitter in the US within minutes. This time, it was all about making people laugh by sharing real dating stories from hell that are nothing but entertaining. And looking at these tweets makes one thing clear — first dates are inherently awkward.
Fallon even kicked off the thread by sharing a funny experience: “My friend went to Red Lobster with a date who insisted on ordering everything in an Australian accent. He thought it was Outback Steakhouse.” Well, a brief scroll through this list proves that some people have had it way, waaay worse.
In fact, a recent survey from Top10.com found that almost 60% of people admit to using an escape plan to get out of a bad first date. But how did they manage to get out of these nightmarish scenarios? Well, 21% of people under 29 years old texted friends and family to call them with an “emergency” that needs immediate attention, and another 21% of people over 60 preferred to be upfront by telling their date that they’re just not interested. Work and “not feeling well” were another two commonly used excuses, while the classic “use the bathroom” but quickly run the other way was a rare choice. But a choice nonetheless.
#3
Final score: 188points Just Jeff Just Jeff Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
“You have 2 minutes to get out of my car”
78 78points reply #4
Final score: 180points 
Jaaawn Jaaawn Community Member • points posts comments upvotes 1 year ago Report
Poor guy. Comments like that stick with you for a long time if you’re insecure.
104 104points reply View More Replies… #5
Final score: 174points 
rspanther rspanther Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
Wanna bet?
82 82points reply
To gain more insight on first-date jitters and how to ensure we have a good time from an expert, We reached out to Anna Eden, a dating and intimacy coach aiming to help career-focused people who’ve “made it” in life to make it in love so they can feel 100% fulfilled. She even shared her own #WorstFirstDate story in celebration of this viral thread: “A guy in Miami. On his way to me, he says the traffic is too bad and he turns around and sends a burrito delivery to my hotel room. I never met the guy. It was a good burrito tho!”
According to Eden, our nerves sometimes get the better of us during the first date because we’re too self-conscious. “Instead of focusing on co-creating, we focus on how we come across and what the other person will think about us,” she told us.
“In general, we tend to attach performance to dates which can create pressure and discomfort. Especially if it’s an online date where you really have to put your face out there and the focus will be on what you’re saying, with less room for feeling the energy and taking in body language as an IRL date which can be more relaxing in that sense.”
#6
Final score: 171points Anonymous Anonymous Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
Now we are all traumatized! But really sorry for the op.
71 71points reply View More Replies… #7
Final score: 157points Mindghost Mindghost Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
You saw the red flags… errr lights which he didn’t
92 92points reply #8
Final score: 156points Nathaniel Nathaniel Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
Sounds like he wants a child not an adult.
89 89points reply View More Replies…
First dates can also feel quite intimidating because it’s vulnerable to open up and “be judged” by a potential partner, Eden added. “I think especially now, after these past two years of lockdowns and isolation, many singles experience social anxiety after staying home for so long. … Suddenly we don’t get away with the sweatpants and we gotta put on our social skills. Honestly, even the extraverted got a bit introverted after this time!”
The coach pointed out that our nervous system prepares for the first date as we would go into the gladiator stadium — it tunes up all the stress levels and gets ready to fight or flight. “When in reality, we are just about to go on a date. Luckily we can teach our nervous system to unlearn the danger aspect of dating by practice and actually start to love going on dates. We get to see it as a fun meeting where we stay unattached to the outcome,” Eden explained.
#9
Final score: 154points Nathaniel Nathaniel Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
Awkward!
50 50points reply View More Replies… #10
Final score: 149points 
Eva Kašu Eva Kašu Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
Aaaand the last. I hope.
68 68points reply View More Replies… #11
Final score: 148points 
Buren Buren Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
RUN
97 97points reply View More Replies…
But let’s just acknowledge two widely known facts. First, almost all of us, at some point or another, have been on a bad date. Second, hearing strangers share stories about these absolutely awful experiences is nothing but entertaining.
“[There’s] definitely a recognition factor and the refreshing imperfection these stories communicate,” Eden noted why we feel amused reading these tales. “They show what it is to be human, beyond flawless Instagram updates. It’s important to bond around that, the real-life stuff. We all had dates that went wrong and perhaps those felt a bit shameful, but this massive amount of shares going on now reminds us that we are not alone and it’s actually quite funny!”
#12
Final score: 147points 
Rachel Howard Rachel Howard Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
The audacity
62 62points reply #13
Final score: 147points 
Bluebrains Bluebrains Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
I wonder what he was trying to accomplish with that statement lol
86 86points reply View More Replies… #14
Final score: 137points 
Wysteria_Rose Wysteria_Rose Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
No made up story was required; that’s straight up rude and assault but whatever you need to do to get the heck out of there!
73 73points reply
When, for whatever reason, your date is a total fail and you’re left sitting there confused, how should you react? Do you make up an excuse and run for the hills? Or do you somehow shift your mindset and try to carry on? Well, Eden’s advice is to first avoid setting expectations for the evening in the first place. “When you have expectations on dates, you set yourself up for disappointment.”
“Secondly, we have to remember we are humans, and we are not meant to match with everyone,” she continued. “Try to shift the focus from a bad date to ‘you’re not in alignment’. In fact, there’s never anything wrong with anyone, you’re just not a good match! And that’s okay. At least you had a meeting with a new person and hopefully, you learned something at least.” And lastly, remember that you’re not obliged to stay. “You don’t owe your date anything and if something makes you uncomfortable, you can actually politely leave.”
The most important lesson to take away from these dates is to see them as single experiences that do not determine your future dating life. “Keep the hopes up and see how you can become even more conscious with your dates the next time. For example, only go on dates with people you have a good feeling about and people who are in alignment with what you are looking for,” the coach added.
#15
Final score: 135points Jaaawn Jaaawn Community Member • points posts comments upvotes 1 year ago Report
My mind instantly goes to the episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S where Ross wears leather trousers. It’s hilarious 😂
86 86points reply View More Replies… #16
Final score: 126points 
Powerful Katrinka Powerful Katrinka Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
Was he 12 years old?
18 18points reply View More Replies… #17
Final score: 124points 
anarkzie anarkzie Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
Men are such dogs.
38 38points reply View More Replies…
We were also curious to learn whether there are any helpful tools or tactics we can use to make sure our future dates will be smooth sailing. “If you practice self-love, it’s easier to get excited about dates because you already feel good about yourself. My advice before a date is to stay centered in your own energy, perhaps meditate before, ground yourself, and take five deep breaths on the way there,” Eden told us. “Then, be yourself! Always.”
If you feel nervous during the date — zoom out. “Picture yourself sitting there and zoom out until you see yourself from outer space. Look how small you are and how insignificant this situation is in the big scheme of things. In the interaction, remember it’s not a job interview! Yes, you want to show your best side, I get it, but remember you are also there to see if this person in front of you sparks something inside YOU. Trust energy and not only the words.”
#18
Final score: 123points Eva Kašu Eva Kašu Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
C´mon, you could murder him with his own axe and steal that stereo…
95 95points reply View More Replies… #19
Final score: 115points 
Michael Largey Michael Largey Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
Yes, it’s true. No one would ever love you like she would. That’s the point.
48 48points reply #20
Final score: 112points Michael Largey Michael Largey Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
Sounds like quite a catch.
67 67points reply View More Replies…
Dating coach Eden was more than happy to share her go-to advice that makes the modern dating arena a little less challenging. “This is the first step, get clear on what you want and practice manifestation around who you are calling in. If you’re single, get clear on: What do you desire in a relationship? How do you wish to relate? What are your values?”
Then, make sure to craft an exceptional bio on dating apps. “It can be short, but the important thing is that it creates a realistic impression of you and what you’re about,” the coach continued. “Some key tips: have clear and updated photos, no sunglasses and no kids that are not yours, please. Mention in your bio what you are looking for, it makes it easier to match with the right person.”
#21
Final score: 109points Nathaniel Nathaniel Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
Before he showed you his other infections further down?
70 70points reply View More Replies… #22
Final score: 107points Eva Kašu Eva Kašu Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
Well, this is kinda cute…but no from stranger.
49 49points reply #23
Final score: 103points Tara Moov Tara Moov Community Member • points posts comments upvotes 1 year ago Report
But you were already on a date with one of the firemen who had witnessed him being a bore, yes? I hope!
43 43points reply
And, most importantly, do the inner work. “As we work on ourselves and cultivate more self-love, we will raise our frequency, be more confident and naturally be drawn to partners that are actually a good match for us.”
Eden concluded by saying that a part of this is also to open your heart. “In today’s world, we’re sometimes closed off due to fast pace and hard work, and we forget about our heart. If you want to attract romantic love, practice tuning into love in all kinds of situations. How can you open your heart to the neighbor? Bus driver? A tree? Your body? How can you stop for a second and allow the energy to flow, the love to rise, in small everyday situations?”
#24
Final score: 102points Eva Kašu Eva Kašu Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
*disgusted noise*
57 57points reply #25
Final score: 96points Nathaniel Nathaniel Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
As if it would be okay even if it was an Outback Steakhouse?
79 79points reply View More Replies… #26
Final score: 91points Buren Buren Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
Is his first or last name Bean?
47 47points reply View More Replies… #27
Final score: 89points Michael Largey Michael Largey Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
“Titanic” got me crying at the middle of the movie. Because it was only the middle of the movie.
75 75points reply View More Replies… #28
Final score: 89points 
Agent 8433599 Agent 8433599 Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
Eww 🤢
17 17points reply #29
Final score: 87points 
3 Owls In A Coat 3 Owls In A Coat Community Member • points posts comments upvotes 1 year ago Report
Just a lonely horse boy looking for his horse girl
44 44points reply View More Replies… #30
Final score: 86points Just Jeff Just Jeff Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 1 year ago Report
Was it that VERY impressive advanced beat-boxing? Cause that would have been lit!
21 21points reply
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