SINGAPORE: Bad dates can happen to anyone, but one woman’s experience takes the cake—or rather, the iced milk tea.

After what she thought was a pleasant outing, she was left in disbelief when her date requested she reimburse him for a teh peng (iced milk tea).

Taking to the r/SingaporeRaw forum last week, the woman recounted her unusual encounter, sparking a flurry of reactions from fellow netizens. She had been in touch with the man, who is in his early 30s, and they seemed to hit it off, especially bonding over their shared love for mala (spicy stir-fried dishes). So, she suggested dining at a local food court.

The Date Begins

On the date, the couple ordered mala to share, and she graciously covered the meal. Later, when he offered to fetch drinks, she thoughtfully asked him to grab her a teh peng as well. Everything felt seamless during the meal, until the conclusion of the evening when things took a bizarre turn.

The Unusual Request

After insisting they meet again, he reminded her to pay him back for the teh peng. Confused, she questioned how a grown man could not afford such a small amount. This led her to reconsider splitting the mala bill, suggesting he deduct the price of the teh peng and transfer her his half. Unsurprisingly, that didn't sit well with him.

The man erupted in anger, accusing her of being unfairly calculative, which left her incredulous. Seeking to avoid further confrontation, she told him not to reach out again, only to realize he never sent his share for the mala either.

The Aftermath

Feeling a mix of shock and amusement, she turned to Reddit, asking: "Is this all a fever dream??? Am I worth less than a teh peng??? Should I give up on dating altogether?"

Her post quickly garnered over 600 upvotes and sparked intense discussion. Many users condemned the man’s request, labeling him as excessively petty. Reacting to the absurdity, commenters highlighted a glaring double standard: why should he ask for payment for a simple beverage while he wouldn’t cover the meal?

Some took the opportunity to recommend humorously exaggerated consolation prizes, while others pointed out that the man’s behavior could be a sign of financial struggles rather than mere cheapness. One user suggested that such drastic frugality might indicate he was in a tough spot economically, invoking sympathy for his situation.

Broader Implications

Amidst the madness of this bizarre dating story, another narrative emerged from a different woman in Singapore, who expressed discomfort over unwanted attention from a male colleague. Posting about her experiences of receiving unsolicited gifts since Valentine's Day, she shed light on the evolving dynamics of workplace relationships and the challenges many face in this regard.

These incidents highlight not only the unpredictability of modern dating but also the social pressures and expectations that come into play, leaving many to question, "What on earth is going on?"