Internet users have been left arguing amongst themselves after a participant on the show First Dates asked if he could split the bill with his date. It was on the Valentine’s Day special that 30-year-old Isaac was on a date with 26-year-old Maya. Immediately he caught viewers’ attention when he sat down at the bar and ordered a water, and he became visibly nervous when Maya arrived and ordered a more expensive beverage.
Ladies it’s 2018, don’t bang on about equality and then snub a guy for splitting the bill. Took some guts to be honest like that. Everyone starts somewhere #DontJudge #FeetFirst #FirstDates #Isaac
— Jo (@J88LWE) 16 February 2018
Afterwards Isaac explains how he believes in a modern relationship. Speaking to the cameras he discussed his thoughts and feelings,
“My friends were like ‘Isaac be the gentleman, be the gentleman! Pay for the whole meal!’.”
“I said ‘Look, if the lady likes me for who I am she not gonna worry about what’s in my wallet, and we can always just go half and half on everything.’”
Isaac, did you not see her face when you first said about going Dutch? Absolutely no need to ask again.... and again.... #FirstDates
— ✨Kathy✨ (@GinQueen13) 16 February 2018
But it seems Maya didn’t have quite the same attitude.
“I’m very traditional,” she told the cameras. “And although I don’t mind being modern, in a traditional way a man should pay.” Isaac’s response?
“This is what my number one fear is. Would I be losing points if me and you were to go halves?”
“Yeah,” Maya answered coldly.
Why agree to go on a date if you can't afford it!!😯#FirstDates
— Dawn Williams (@dawn79_dawn) 16 February 2018
Perhaps a little harshly, the internet was ready to tear into Isaac for being stingy. But, it turns out that Isaac has had a pretty hard life and simply does not have a lot of money to throw around. After losing his mother to cancer Isaac’s life took a turn for the worse and he wound up homeless and sleeping on the streets. Eventually he managed to secure accommodation at a local YMCA where he is still living today.
Speaking about his experiences he told the cameras,
“I loved my mum to bits. I was always the mummy’s boy. I just lost myself. Every day I was arguing with somebody. My brother kicked me out. One of my grimmest moments you could say, there was a winter’s night. I actually had to sleep with leaves covered over me, wrapped up in a sheet in the gutter. I was crying my heart out in the morning for missing my mum.”
This immediately melted the internet’s heart, as well as Maya’s.
This man was homeless? My heart is breaking. Can we start a “Go Fund Me” Page? I want to help him. #FirstDates
— Patricia Ashwood 🦄 (@MrsAshwood) 16 February 2018
“He’s got nothing to be ashamed of whatsoever,” she said. “He’s very romantic and I’m not use to that at all. The whole date I think I must have said “how sweet” a million times.”
We’re firm believers that the way to anyone’s heart is via the stomach… 😜#FirstDates pic.twitter.com/N8d0xKxrbB
— First Dates (@FirstDates) 16 February 2018