I went on a first date with Vanessa, a woman I met through a dating app who described herself as “high maintenance but worth it.” I assumed she was being playful until we arrived at a high-end downtown restaurant. Before we even sat down, Vanessa pulled a shiny silver bell from her purse and rang it to get the server’s attention. I chuckled at first, thinking it was a quirky joke, but it soon became clear she was completely serious.
Throughout the evening, Vanessa rang the bell every time she wanted something water, bread, a refill. She expected immediate attention with each chime. But the restaurant staff wasn’t having it. They deliberately ignored the noise, pretending not to notice. Vanessa’s annoyance grew with every unanswered ring, and the tension around us only escalated. Finally, the manager approached, casually commenting that the bell must be broken since no one seemed to hear it.
The moment everything unraveled was when a fellow diner grabbed the bell, tossed it up onto the restaurant’s roof, and left a $20 bill on our table, calling it a “replacement fee.” The patio erupted in laughter while Vanessa sat stunned and furious. I tried to explain the value of courtesy over theatrics, but she insisted I just didn’t appreciate “class.” That’s when I realized this was easily the most ridiculous date I’d ever had.
By the end of dinner, I quietly paid the check and walked away, certain I’d never see Vanessa or that bell again. If I learned anything, it’s that arrogance disguised as elegance doesn’t impress anyone. And as far as I know, that bell’s still on the roof right where it belongs.