Woman invited 23 family members on their blind date to 'test' him — and ended up with a costly lesson instead

Blind dates often come with nerves, awkward introductions, and the pressure to make a good impression. In many cultures, especially in China, family approval and financial stability are considered crucial when starting a relationship; that's why it's not unusual for parents to set up meetings or for daters to consider generosity a key sign of compatibility. But one woman’s attempt to test her date’s generosity went far beyond what anyone expected. In Zhejiang, eastern China, a blind date arranged by a young man’s mother spiraled into one of the most unusual dining disasters, according to Taizhou Evening News.

The man, identified only as Mr Liu, 29, agreed to meet a woman for dinner after his mother encouraged him to start dating more seriously. Expecting a quiet evening for two, he promised to cover the bill as a gesture of good faith. But when his date arrived, she wasn’t alone; she walked in with 23 relatives, all ready to join the meal. According to local media, the woman explained later that her decision was intentional and she wanted to see how generous Liu was before deciding if he could be relationship material. The group ordered an elaborate spread of food and alcohol, running up a total of nearly 20,000 yuan (around £2,300).

Liu, stunned by the unexpected entourage, subtly excused himself and slipped away without paying for the feast. That left the woman and her family with the massive check. Reports noted that the parties later reached an arrangement: Liu agreed to cover a small portion of the meal, while the rest of the cost had to be split among her family members. The unusual test made waves on Chinese social media before being deleted, where thousands of people debated who was in the wrong. Some thought Liu should have stayed to cover at least part of the dinner since he had offered to pay, but most sided with him, saying bringing 23 uninvited guests was unreasonable. The debate highlights how deeply tied generosity is to dating norms.

A study published in Communication Studies titled First Date Sexual Expectations: The Effects of Who Asked, Who Paid, Date Location, and Gender surveyed U.S. college students and found that who pays is a key marker of expectations on a first date. Men were more likely to pay for the entire bill, especially when they were the ones to initiate the date. The research also showed that while many believe it’s acceptable for either person to pay, cultural norms continue to place that responsibility on men in heterosexual contexts.

People who came across the story had plenty to say about the unusual date. As per the Daily Mail, one commenter wrote, "Men should pay out of courtesy. But bringing 23 people to a meal is unacceptable." Another added, "If they like each other after the date, then the man should pay. If not, they should go Dutch." A third said, "Usually, the woman would bring one or two friends in case it gets awkward. We as gentlemen should pay. If the woman brings seven or eight people, you should just leave. She wasn't genuine anyway."

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