What are the two words you imagine a woman wants to hear more than anything? If your answer is "marry me" or "I do," then you should probably reconsider your priorities.
Most people just want to hear "free food."
One Redditor posed the question, "Women of Reddit: How often do you go on dates just to get free food?" and the responses may surprise you.
Me? Never!
Overwhelmingly, most women responded that they never go on dates for the sole purpose of getting a free meal.
And poohspiglet responded like a boss and cut straight to the point with, "I go on dates for the D. The free food is a bonus."
Well, sort of...
Free food may not always be the point, but it's sometimes the only highlight.
Redditor romanticheart's response received more than 3,000 upvotes. She said, "I've never gone specifically to get food. I have, however, been on dates where the food was the only good thing I got out of it."
Redditor jberd45 likened the situation to a Seinfeld episode and said, "Ha! That reminds me of the 'Yada Yada Yada' episode of Seinfeld: Elaine talks about a date, says, 'I had the lobster bisque, yada yada yada.' George says, 'You left out the best part.' Elaine says, 'No, I mentioned the bisque.'"
I haven't, but my friend...
Some Redditors shared stories of friends who went on dates just for the food. Notafakeinterpreter said:
I used to be friends with a girl who did (and probably still does do) that. I can't fully understand it. They're inviting you out because they're interested in you. If you don't like them, don't go out and lead them on.
When we were friends, she would do it at least twice a month - she even tried to convince me to do it. "It's a free meal, why not?!" Uhhhh maybe because I have a conscience?
Needless to say that's a friendship I do not miss.
Redditor trashlikeyourmom responded, "One of my roommates in college used to do it. She would always make guys take her to Outback Steakhouse so that she could also steal the steak knives with the wooden handles. We were the only dorm room on the hall with decent silverware."
Outback Steakhouse?
Yes, but times were rough!
Some Redditors got really real, and admitted they went on dates for free food when they were broke. xfitsally said:
Fellas do it, too, sort of...
But the strangest response was actually from a man. BuffaloMark said:
Im sorry my answer doesn't completely apply to your question as I am a man and I never had a date you any of the cases but still feel the need to reply.
For 4 Valentines Days now (1 of which I had a GF for), I have made a reservation for 2, months ahead of time at different very nice restaurants in town. I show up dressed well with flowers in hand and get seated while 'waiting' for my date to arrive. I never plan on anyone ever coming. Ill have some drinks, stare at my phone and usually an hour or so later, I tell the waiter that she must not be coming and order dinner anyway. I sit there by myself and have a nice dinner and drinks and year after year, the restaurant offers to pay for my meal. I always intend to pay but they never charge me. I dont do it for a free meal and drinks (although thats nice), I get some weird satisfaction playing a role outside of my normal life. Strange, I know, but try it one year, it can be fun if you do it well.
Seems like misleading people for free food isn't endemic to one gender. This guy definitely wins the award for strangest food con. Redditor lisasimpsonfan put it best by responding, "George Costanza move if I ever read one."