TikTok creator Bella, known by the handle @bella_does_whatever, believed her first date was proceeding smoothly. Her plans changed when an unfamiliar person approached her date and claimed he was “way cooler” than he was.
A post on TikTok from Aug. 30, credited to Bella, tells the tale. The beginning was promising: she liked his profile, his bearing and his manner of speaking. Their conversation lasted close to two hours, and she never grew tired of it.
The thing that stood out most to her was when he asked about her lymphedema.
Bella’s reaction was emotional when she said nobody had ever done that on a first date. The question made her feel at ease. They spent time together, ate, and walked around central London before choosing Wok to Walk, a restaurant chain Bella said she enjoys.
The day changed course when another woman at the restaurant spotted Bella and said she enjoyed her videos. Bella replied that she has no issue with such encounters because she is accustomed to being recognized.
A second woman came up to the pair, and she questioned whether they were on their first date. After Bella confirmed that they were, the woman addressed her date directly, telling him that Bella was “way cooler” than he was. Then she proceeded to criticize him without giving any clear reason for doing so.
The second woman’s behavior struck Bella as odd. She doubted the woman was a fan who had recognized her from social media. She also said she could not explain why the woman had chosen to interfere with their date.
Instead of letting the encounter spoil the evening, Bella reassured her date. As they walked back to the station, they had another “really lovely, genuine conversation.” Bella said she found him intelligent and passionate, traits that attract her. She said they exchanged numbers and that she would like to see him again.
Many people responded with disapproval toward the incident. One person characterized the circumstances as “so uncomfortable and weird.”
A different commenter questioned why the second woman would approach a stranger and criticize him at the start of a date, even if it was to “hype [Bella] up.”
Several commenters zeroed in on the bright spots from Bella’s date, with one person praising him for asking about her lymphedema. A second commenter noted that Bella appeared to carry a distinct, more joyful air in the latest update. Others opened up about their own dating stories and wished Bella well if she gets a follow-up meeting.
The caption for the video contained a request from Bella directed at everyone who might encounter her out in public. She wanted people who spotted her on a date to show respect. She went on to say that while they were welcome to give her a friendly wave from afar, they ought to allow her to spend her time with whoever she was meeting without interruption.
The Date’s Timeline
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Bella and her date met | Start of the date |
| They talked for nearly two hours | During the date |
| They got food and walked around London | Before Wok to Walk |
| The stranger approached | During dinner at Wok to Walk |
| The couple walked back to the station | After the encounter |
| Bella posted the update | Aug. 30 |
What Bella Said About the Date
- Liked his profile, the way he carried himself and the way he communicated
- Talked for nearly two hours, never felt bored
- He asked about her lymphedema
- Found him intelligent and passionate
- Exchanged numbers and wants to see him again
Commenters’ Reactions
- “So uncomfortable and weird”
- Wondered why the second woman approached and criticized him
- Impressed he asked about her lymphedema
- Hoped Bella would have good luck on a second date
Bella’s Request
In her caption, Bella asks for one thing: that her privacy be respected when she is out with someone. She made clear that others are welcome to wave from afar, but she wants them to step back and allow her to spend her time with whoever she happens to be meeting without disturbance.
The Outcome
Bella kept things calm by soothing her date during the encounter. The two of them spent a second “really lovely, genuine conversation” together on the way back. She described him as both intelligent and passionate, and she traded contact information with him.
Whether that leads to a second date remains to be seen.
Source material: “‘She’s Way Cooler Than You’: TikToker Says Her First Date Was Going Well Until a Stranger Walked Up and Criticized Her Date to His Face,” The Daily Dot.
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