I Ended Things When She Showed Up 45 Minutes Late, but Was It the Right Call?

Navigating the complexities of dating can feel like trying to thread a needle in the dark. Every decision counts, and finding the right path is often challenging. In today’s story, lateness on a first date became the breaking point.

Here’s how it unfolded:

I had arranged a first date with a woman I met on a dating site. We agreed to meet for coffee at 2 p.m. I arrived on time, but at 2:10 p.m., she texted to ask if I was already at the café. I replied that I was, and she told me she was still at home but would leave soon and be there in about 20 minutes.

Her text made it clear that she was waiting to confirm I was actually there before leaving her house, which really put me off. I had taken the chance that she might not show up and still made it on time. Shouldn’t she have done the same? Am I wrong for feeling this way?

I drank my coffee and left at 2:30 when she still hadn’t arrived. At 2:45, I got a text from her asking where I was. I responded, “I finished my coffee and left at 2:30 when you still weren’t there as promised.”

Her reply was a string of scathing texts, accusing me of being terrible and doing everything wrong. She insisted I should have texted her before leaving, among other things.

Do women really expect men to sit and wait 45 minutes for them to show up late—especially when it feels like the only reason they’re late is to make you wait? It came across like some kind of game or test. Well, if that was the case, she definitely failed mine. I’d really like to hear what women think about this situation.