A TikToker went viral after a woman refused to leave his car when she realized he had taken her to Olive Garden on their first date.
The video comes from user Nonitane (@nonitane) and is captioned: “First date takes the wrong turn after ‘cheap’ restaurant choice!” The clip went viral with 1.6 million views and sparked a debate about modern dating. Etiquette and the role of restaurant selection in making a good first impression.
In a world where first date impressions are often influenced by social media’s portrayal of luxury and extravagance, Nonitane’s video captures a candid and controversial moment that has touched many.
@nonitane
The first date goes in the wrong direction after choosing a “cheap” restaurant!
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The video shows a heated exchange between two people on a date, with the man filming from his point of view. The woman expresses her dissatisfaction with his choice of Olive Garden as the location for their first date, saying, “You took me to Olive Garden. It’s Olive Garden. That’s the problem.”
The astonished man defends his choice: “I took you to a restaurant. This is our first date. I don’t even know you.” The conversation escalates when the woman asks, “Do I look like a girl in a chain restaurant?” and the man replies, “No, I don’t think you look cheap, but I think im “Your attitude is pretty cheap right now.”
The debate continues with the woman criticizing the man for not taking her to a fine dining restaurant, to which he responds, “I’m not going to spend all this money and waste money on a date where I don’t even know the person.” know.” The argument highlights a conflict between expectations and values, with the woman expecting a more upscale dining experience and the man seeing Olive Garden as a reasonably good choice for a first date. Unlimited pasta? Come on, girl.
The comment section developed into a battlefield of opinions, with many users siding with the man and criticizing his date. One user wrote: “Take her to a fine dining restaurant and leave her there. Bye!!” Another user questioned the source of such expectations, asking, “Where do these ladies get this kind of attitude from?” But some commenters offered a different perspective, such as one user who wrote, “I wish someone would take me to the Olive Garden. “Hey buddy, can you find this girl?”
This incident reflects a broader trend on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where life is often portrayed through the lens of luxury. Top restaurants like Nobu, Carbone, and Taylor Swift’s favorite Cipriani often appear in posts, potentially setting unrealistic expectations about what a “real” first date should look like. This can create a disconnect between the reality of most people’s lives and the vastly heightened expectations created by social media.
Nonitane’s video is more than just a viral sensation; It’s a snapshot of modern dating dynamics, where expectations can collide in dramatic ways. It serves as a reminder that while social media can influence our perception of what is desirable or acceptable, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and compatibility. Whether it’s an upscale restaurant or a casual chain like Olive Garden, the right date will appreciate the gesture and company more than the setting.
It should be noted that another woman previously went viral on TikTok for exhibiting the exact same behavior: refusing to go to the Cheesecake Factory on a first date and ditching the man who took her the air. After much back and forth, the man informed her that he felt their values were mismatched and drove her home after telling her he was not interested in pursuing a romantic relationship.
Both incidents stem from another TikTok post in which a woman shared a list of places she wouldn’t visit on her first date. Needless to say, the list caused some controversy.
Could it be that the Olive Garden clip mentioned above was an attempt by Nonitane to replicate the success of another video? Or are there just so many people who are very particular about where they eat on a first date?
The Daily Dot reached out to Nonitane for more information via a TikTok comment.
*First published: November 23, 2023, 6:30 p.m. CST
Jack Alban
Jack Alban is a freelance journalist for the Daily Dot covering current human interest/social media issues and how real people are reacting to them. He always strives to incorporate evidence-based studies, current events, and facts relevant to those stories to create your not-so-average viral post.
Originally posted 2023-11-24 05:40:14.