Woman Allegedly Demands Rs 10,000 For Date Prep, Internet Calls It 'A Business Deal'

Trends in dating are dynamic and ever-changing. Many are embracing authenticity, with terms like “delulu” and “dating for the plot” becoming more common. People are moving away from pretending to be someone they’re not. This shift has sparked interest in the timeless dating standards that continue to resonate online. So, what is the not-so-new and always-popular dating standard that has piqued the internet’s interest?

Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj, a journalist and social activist, ignited a social media debate concerning those who develop relationships just to extract money from others. Bhardwaj declares, “Dating in India ain’t for beginners.” The argument centres on a woman who is alleged to have asked the man for money twice.

The debate over India’s dating standard began after Bhardwaj published two screenshots of a WhatsApp conversation between a man and a woman who were planning to meet for a coffee date.

The man, in the first screenshot, asks the woman whether she is available to catch up over a cup of coffee. She accepts and requests Rs 10,000 from him so she can prepare for the date. The woman justifies the sum by listing her other costs, which include waxing, manicures, pedicures, nails, dresses, shoes and cosmetics.

“Free dates aren’t exciting these days,” she says after giving the man her UPI ID.

The woman appears to be requesting money from the man once more in the following screenshot.

She claims to have overspent when shopping at the Mall of India and is requesting assistance this time, asking for payment of Rs 5,000–6,000.

As the man asks what she bought, she says, “Shoes and shirts.”

When asked why she now needs additional money, the woman replies that she needs it so she can go to work until her salary arrives. Furthermore, she stated that the current balance in her account is Rs 800.

The post has over 3 lakh views on microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter).

The comments section, as expected, was highly critical of the Indian dating scene.

A user commented, “And the sad part is that so many boys/Men are ready to bear these expenses.”

Another user went on to say, “This so-called dating feels like a business deal.”

A third user said, “It’s getting sicker.”

“Incredible dating trends in India,” read another comment.

Many people, meanwhile, questioned the rationality of a man covering a woman’s expenditures.