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Singles dream of dating feeling like a hilariously wholesome sitcom, but it can also be a cringeworthy reality show with episodes titled "Mommy's Boy at the Restaurant" and "The Awkward Movie Night."

Recently, a person who goes by the nickname Nocta on X asked other platform users to describe the worst dates they've been on, and their post immediately went viral.

As of now, it has been viewed over 22.3 million times, with thousands of people contributing their experiences to the discussion, so we decided to scour the thread and show you the most memorable ones.

Continue scrolling to check out our hand-picked entries and the talk we had with dating coach Blaine Anderson — you will find it spread out between the images.

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    These stories might represent a broader picture. Among those who are on the dating market – the 15% of American adults who are single and looking for a committed relationship or casual flings – 67% say it's going either not too well or not at all well.

    While single-and-looking men and women report equal levels of dissatisfaction with their love lives and the ease of finding romantic interests, women are more likely to say they have had some particularly negative experiences.

    #3

    Worst-Date-Stories

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    Jeff White
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok, early in the list but I have to admit this first post has set the bar pretty high. I'm sure it CAN get worse, but I'm not sure how.

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    Singles are often open to seeing people with many different traits and from a variety of backgrounds, which also entails a level of uncertainty.

    "Especially with someone you're not very familiar with, my best piece of advice for planning a first date is to avoid getting too creative!" Blaine Anderson, dating coach and founder of Dating By Blaine, told Bored Panda.

    "Asking a woman to drinks tends to be a safe and time-tested bet. Find a bar you love, particularly one that has non-alcoholic options because not everyone drinks these days, and then feel free to use it as the venue for all of your first dates. Because you'll always be at the same spot, you give yourself something like a home court advantage with this strategy!"

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    #7

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    sbj
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Woah! Go back to the bit where he lost a testicle because his rabbit died, I need more info

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    #8

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    AnnaRachelle
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had similar happen. We had spoken in line for months. He came for a visit and we went into the city centre. He got a tattoo of my name,I big letters down his forearm. After going home he called me to tell me he was going to move in with me. Told,not asked. Freaked me out. Blocked him.

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    Of course, there are plenty of reasons why a date might take a turn for the worse, but Blaine, who has helped over 3,000 people find love, thinks guys tend to make two mistakes over and over again.

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    "The first one is exclusively focusing on forming an intellectual connection, and not a physical or emotional one," she explained. "This is a mistake that intelligent and introverted guys make in particular!"

    "The second one is over-sharing, and talking too much about themselves. I think a lot of guys feel like they need to impress the woman they're out with, and they don't realize that they talk too much about themselves as part of that process," the dating expert added.

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    #12

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    rullyman
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What the hell? Who does that. Not only putting herself in harm's way but others too. Someone had to jump in and save her.

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    It can be quite difficult to end a date early in a polite and smooth manner, even if it isn't going well. "You always want to balance being direct with being empathetic," Blaine Anderson said.

    "Depending on how early you want to do that, there may not be a truly polite way — cutting a date off after less than 30 minutes is probably going to feel rude no matter how smooth you are."

    #13

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    Nannychachi
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope. Not on a first date. Even years in, I still ask my husband first if I can have a bite.

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    #14

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    Nannychachi
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You're just too picky, Darnell. I'm sure she was a fab boss babe!

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    #15

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    Jeff White
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    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All together now boys and girls ... RED flags awaving, RED flags ahoy!

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    #16

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    Jeff White
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Did you have his phone number to call him back? No wait, you couldn't, he stole your phone.

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    However, if you're in a situation where you just have to hit the escape key, Blaine suggests saying something along the lines of, "Hey, I'm so grateful you took the time to come here to meet me. I can tell I'm not feeling a romantic connection, and I want to be respectful of your time, so I want to part ways for now, but I genuinely wish you all the best."

    "Just don't be surprised if the person you're out with asks for more of an explanation!" she added.

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    #18

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    Szzone
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Like, he only drank water? In any case, what if the guy was broke?

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    #20

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    Brendan
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe it's just me, but it wouldn't have occurred to me that the traces of food in my mouth would give her an allergic reaction.

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    It can be exhausting to keep putting yourself out there when Cupid has turned his back to you. Which is probably why almost half (49%) of Bumble users are prioritizing their own work/life balance over actively looking for love.

    However, you might run into your special someone even if you're not trying to. Just keep your eyes open, and remember, there's no such thing as a perfect date.

    #21

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    DragonofMordor
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone who is rude to staff is an instant turn off. Treat people decently.

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    #23

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    FrogMan
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Patrick Swayze tells Demi Moore that he loves her, she says “ditto” and then he climbs up on a shelf.

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    #24

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    Blue
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That could be legit. Bringing someone along they trust as protection

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    #27

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    censorshipsucks
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yay for us another south african. Ocean Basket is a chain of fish and chips restaurants. Not romantic, not fancy.

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    #28

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    #30

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    censorshipsucks
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wow. For non-South Africans, Kauai is a health food takeout restaurant. Apologies for the cultural appropriation to the Independent Kingdom of Hawai'i.

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    Note: this post originally had 67 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

    Ic_polls

    Poll Question

    What would you do if your date was going as badly as some of those shared in the article?

    Stick it out till the end to be polite.

    Excuse myself and leave early.

    Try to turn it around with humor or a change of activity.

    Be honest and say that I'm not feeling a connection.