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[updated: 9/12/18]

Confession time: I originally attempted to invent the TOP10 signs you’re on a bad first date out of my own imagination, but after some amount of time trying to conger up funny content that wasn’t all that funny I decided to turn the pen over to you.

And you did not disappoint.

Well not necessarily you specifically, but I finally went to social media to ask college students and singles like you to submit their worst first date FAILS! And suddenly I had the funny content I was looking for.

What that means to you is that, believe it or not, this Date Night Advice (DNA) comes from actual experiences of real life people (names in parentheses).

Read.

Laugh.

Learn.

And when I say “learn” I mean click any of the hyperlinks below to see what lessons we can learn from each of the TOP10 signs you’re on a bad first date.


#10 – Your date’s opening line is either, “OK, let’s get this over with.“(Matt) or “Are you a parking ticket cuz you got fine written all over you!” (Candi)

#9 – After picking you up, your date stops by their mom’s place for cash to pay for dinner. (Claudia)

#8 – Your date takes a call from their ex, and after cussing them out right in front of you, hangs up and says sweetly, “I’m sorry, where were we?”(Matt)

#7 – Once seated at the restaurant you find out your date’s ex works there, and you “just so happen” to be sitting in their section. [IMPORTANT NOTE: If this happens to you, DO NOT eat anything put in front of you.] (Jerri)

#6Your date keeps “whispering” inappropriate comments like “Do you think those guys are gay?” loud enough for the people at other tables to hear… including the gay guys in question. (Jonathan)

#5Your date spends the evening seeking your counsel on how to get over their ex. (Sara)

#4 – Your date keeps texting friends about plans for later that night after they’re done with you. (Jerri)

#3 – Your date admits to cheating on their ex multiple times… but only because their ex did it first!!! (Jennifer)

#2 – During dinner, your date and your server continue to eye one another and when you leave your date drops a $20 tip… and a personal note. (Jerri)

#1 In the midst of trying to show off how well their vehicle handles wet roads, your date winds up running off the road and into the woods hitting two trees, one which busts your side window. Then as you’re recovering, still covered in glass, they ask you to get out and push. (Lindsey)

BONUS: The next day, you get a follow-up call… from the spouse your date failed to mention they had. (Megan)


Well, I hope you enjoyed this chronicling of miserable mileposts on the road to dating devastation. We originally shared this post over six years ago, but the pain is pretty timeless, isn’t it?

That said, since it has been over a half decade since we first presented this TOP10, with your help I’d like to do it again.

So if you have your own TRUE story of first date failure, it would be my delight to share it with the world in another post entitled: TOP10 First Date FAILS! PLEASE share in the comment section below, or email us.

Date Night Advice (DNA) series: TOP10 Signs You’re on a Bad First Date
The TOP10
Click here to read the next post in the series.





DNA: It’s What’s For Dating

Dug this weekend’s DNA? Be a good friend and share with your friends on the social media platform of choice: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, or Twitter.

The LoveEd discipleship series, Beyond Sex & Salvation, will empower you to prepare for relational success when it counts: BEFORE you fall in love!

It’s NOT for couples, but for any wise individual who thinks they might want to get married sometime before they die. And would like to learn how to better build healthy relationships in the meantime.

Check out all three study guides in our store. You can walk through them on your own, but it’s more fun with friends (that and it kinda makes sense to grow in relational success in actual relationships with others), so consider putting together an FMU LoveEd small group study.

Even better? And ask a rock star married couple you respect to lead it!