Woman Says Hinge Date Criticized Her Under-Eye Bags Before Meeting, Then Asked Her to Pay for His Matcha

TikTok Creator Documents Uncomfortable Hinge Date Experience

TikTok creator Samara, known as @samraoncamera, shared a two-part storytime series detailing a first date arranged through the dating app Hinge that quickly drew polarized reactions from viewers. Samara described the man as attractive, tall, and charming based on their phone conversations before meeting in person. However, she said several interactions before and during the date raised concerns, beginning with a pre-date FaceTime call where the man told her she looked different from her photos and pointed out her under-eye area, saying she looked tired. Samara said those comments made her self-conscious, but she still agreed to meet him.

Apartment Observations and Restaurant Changes

During their video calls, Samara also noticed details about the man’s apartment, describing it as sparse and lacking furniture or decoration. She spotted a GoodLife fitness towel and questioned where he got it, to which the man reportedly joked that she should not tell anyone about the towel. The pair later switched their dinner plans after their first restaurant choice lacked availability. He suggested Chotto Matte, an upscale Toronto restaurant, after learning about the scheduling issue. Samara said she expected him to have checked the menu before suggesting the restaurant.

Dinner Dynamics and the Matcha Incident

According to Samara, the restaurant described its menu as shareable and tapas-style. She said the man ordered sushi and suggested she order a chicken dish, apparently without realizing the menu was designed for sharing. Samara had eaten very little because she expected a full dinner. She claimed the man later said he felt full after eating a large chicken salad. The pair then left to find dessert elsewhere, walking around Toronto until they found a matcha shop near closing. Samara claimed the man asked her to pay for his drink. She said she paid about $20 but felt ready to end the date.

Viewer Reactions Split Between Both Parties

The comments quickly shifted toward Samara’s choices before and during the date. One viewer wrote, “Once a guy insults you and you still talk to him, it’s on you.” Another user questioned why she continued after the eye-bag comment, writing, “when he insulted u about your eye bags shouldn’t went on date.” A second comment asked, “you didn’t get the ick when he insulted you but you got it from the towel…why?” Other viewers focused on Samara’s attraction and dating standards. One user called her approach “shallow” and criticized her focus on his looks. Another viewer suggested the man wanted to make her insecure, writing, “He’s trying to make you insecure so you can chase him.” Another commenter asked whether a future husband should open with comments about someone’s under-eye area.

Criticism of Samara’s Commentary

Part 2 also sparked criticism over Samara’s apartment and towel comments. One viewer wrote, “‘I’m not here to judge’ umm weren’t you judging his apartment and towel?” Samara replied that she could privately judge potential partners. Another user asked, “Did he pay for dinner? If so paying for dessert isn’t that big of deal.” Samara defended her reaction and said both people left the dinner hungry. The two videos show Samara’s account of one uncomfortable dating experience. Her comments about money, attraction, and expectations drew different reactions from viewers. Some focused on the man’s behavior, while others questioned Samara’s choices.

Why This Matters

This viral dating story highlights ongoing conversations about modern dating dynamics, red flag recognition, and the public scrutiny that follows when personal experiences are shared on platforms like TikTok. The divided comment section reflects broader debates about accountability in dating—whether the responsibility lies with the person exhibiting questionable behavior or with the person who chooses to continue engaging despite early warning signs. The incident also underscores how financial expectations on first dates, particularly in high-cost cities like Toronto, remain a flashpoint for disagreement. As dating app culture normalizes sharing intimate experiences for public consumption, creators like Samara navigate both the validation and criticism that come with viral visibility. The Daily Dot was unable to independently verify the events described in Samara’s videos; the details above reflect the account as shared on TikTok by @samraoncamera.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Samara and where did she share this story?

Samara is a TikTok creator who posts under the handle @samraoncamera. She shared the story across two TikTok videos using the hashtags #storytime, #dating, #baddate, and #firstdate.

What restaurant did they go to and where is it located?

They dined at Chotto Matte, an upscale restaurant located in Toronto.

Did The Daily Dot verify the events described?

No. The Daily Dot stated it was unable to independently verify the events described in Samara’s videos. The details reflect the account as shared on TikTok by @samraoncamera.