I went on a first date with Vanessa, a woman I met on a dating app who warned me she was “high maintenance but worth it.” I thought it was a joke until we showed up at a fancy downtown restaurant. Before we even sat down, Vanessa pulled a shiny silver bell from her purse and rang it to get the server’s attention. At first, I laughed it off as a quirky icebreaker, but I quickly realized she was serious about using it throughout the night.

Every time Vanessa wanted something whether it was water, bread, or another drink she’d ring the bell loudly, expecting immediate service. The staff at the restaurant, however, didn’t play along. They started ignoring the bell, pretending not to hear it at all. Vanessa’s frustration grew as her bell-ringing went unanswered, making the whole scene increasingly awkward. Eventually, the manager approached, telling her the bell seemed broken since no one could hear it.

The climax came when a nearby diner snatched Vanessa’s bell, tossed it onto the restaurant’s roof, and left a $20 bill on our table as a “replacement fee.” The entire patio burst into laughter, and Vanessa was left red-faced and furious. I tried explaining that politeness matters more than gimmicks, but Vanessa just couldn’t see it. She accused me of not appreciating “class,” while I realized this was the most absurd date I’d ever been on.

By the end of the night, I paid the bill quietly and walked away, knowing this was the last time I’d see Vanessa and her bell. The lesson? Entitlement doesn’t impress anyone it only makes things awkward. And that bell? I’m pretty sure it’s still stuck on that roof, exactly where it belongs.