First dates are often a mixed bag of excitement and nervousness, but for one woman, an unexpected comment about her appearance turned her first meeting with a new match into a viral sensation.
Melinda, known as @shelovesheranimals on TikTok, took to the platform on November 11 to reveal the unexpected comment that shattered her expectations: "Wow, you do have a lot of gray hair."
The post has since been viewed more than 1.5 million times, with viewers on TikTok rallying behind her and expressing disapproval of her date's insensitivity. Melinda's journey back into the dating scene after losing her mother has resonated deeply with many.
Viewers saw Melinda, 35, showcase her carefully chosen outfit for the date, underscored by the excitement of a new romantic possibility.
An overlaid text on the video read: "I went on a date today wearing this, super cute right, do you know what the first thing he said to me was, wow you do have a lot of gray hair, but I looked really cute."
"I'm growing out my gray hair, and I have started getting into dating after many years of being single," Melinda, who would prefer to keep her full identity private, told Newsweek. "My mom recently passed away and she always wanted to see me happy in a relationship; I think that is part of my motivation in dating now."
Melinda says she felt shocked by the date's initial comment, especially since she had informed him beforehand about her decision to embrace her natural hair color.
"I had told him ahead of time I was growing out my grays, but I was shocked it was the first thing mentioned," she said.
Despite the unwanted comment, the supportive response from viewers provided Melinda with a sense of relief and validation.
"So you immediately left, right," one viewer said.
"Why is it so important to society that we hide every possible sign of aging?" a commenter said.
"Tell me [you] just walked away. You do look cute," a TikToker commented.
"So nice of him to volunteer the red flag as soon as he opened his mouth. That being said, love the whole look! I'd be tongue tied if I met you IRL," another person wrote.
"It was relieving to know so many other people also found it rude or odd and that I wasn't being overly sensitive," Melinda told Newsweek.
The video's virality also offered the creator a moment of levity amid her more serious content focused on how she is grieving her mother.
"I've gotten such a kick out of the response to the video about my bad date! It was a fun experience to have a viral video. I'm just glad it was one I looked good for," she said.
Have you noticed any red flags that made you end a relationship? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
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