When my friend Mia set me up with Eric, he seemed like a dream — flowers, a thoughtful keychain gift, and charming conversation during dinner. He insisted on paying, calling it the “gentlemanly thing to do.” I left the date feeling hopeful. But the next morning, I got a shocking text: an itemized invoice for the date.

Eric had listed the cost of the flowers, the gift, and even his chivalry — each “service” paired with expected “payment” like a selfie, a compliment, or a second date. At the bottom, he warned that non-payment might result in him telling our mutual friend Chris.