My date suddenly started singing at the top of his lungs

[Sonjing]

I went out on a first date yesterday night with a man met on OLD.

I feel like he made such a fuss to organise what he thought was “the perfect date”. He took me to a park to show me a romantic spot (he even said he had planned the stroll from where we met to the park, in order to ensure the stroll was scenic and romantic enough!). After drinks and dinner, he insisted on taking me to a romantic belvedere terrace to show me the view, even though I said I was feeling cold.

Once we get to the belvedere, suddenly the guy starts singing “Bella Notte” from the Lady and the Tramp. Properly singing at the top of his lungs, like he was the protagonist of a musical. He then insisted I should sing with him too, and he got visibly disappointed when I said I can’t really sing. He kept singing for a solid 5 minutes and attempted a few dance moves too, while people nearby were staring at us in disbelief.

I genuinely feel like I should delete all dating apps and resign myself to a life of singledom, if this is the alternative

A meat raffle? I have never heard of such a thing. Is it, without sounding dim, literally a raffle to win meat?

How do I not have such a thing in my life?!

Is that you Sarah B?

Meat raffle?! Fucking hell!

A couple of weeks ago I was meeting friends for a curry and decided to use the bus. Standing at the main stop, a man walked up. He was carrying two large black plastic bags containing pink helium filled balloons. He asked when the next bus was and did it really stop at X. He then told me he was worried about missing his stop.
Told him not to worry as it was also my stop. Transpired he was going to sane curry house to meet for the first time, someone he'd been chatting to one line. He then confided that the black bags contained 4 balloons he was planning to hand over to his date on arrival. He planned to take them out of the bags before he went into the restaurant.
I was of course in the restaurant before him so said to my friends 'i predict a man will walk in here soon and he will be carrying 4 pink balloons'
They were amazed when he did. He walked over to a woman sitting near the bar, with his balloons bobbing behind him and handed them over to a very nonplussed woman. I am ashamed to say my lot clapped and cheered
The waiter showed them both to a table, where the woman tied her balloons to the back of the chair. He gave me 👍 when I went to the bar so am assuming the balloons worked their magic .

Dh has just reminded me I took him to a meat raffle on our 11th date. He's not even British so was even more astounded.

What's a meat raffle? Is it just a raffle where you win meat? Does anything else happen? Are there meat related bands singing and beefy cocktails or is it just, "Packet of smoky bacon, expiry tomorrow: No 134".

Any word from him OP?

Meat raffles usually take place in pubs or social clubs. Yes, the prizes are a load of meat!

OP, I think you are really selfish to deny us a second instalment

I agree - OP should take one for the team and go on a second date and record it for us.

OP where are you based. I know someone who would conceivably do exactly this.

He sounds like he would be a fun mate to have! Completely over the top date wise but only if you read the book on "typical dating social norms" ....slightly bonkers, but I doubt he will turn out to be an abuser or after just one thing!

Well, I’m NOT a regular at meat raffles or a connoisseur (that date was my first/last experience of one) but basically it’s was an old country pub and all of the meat was displayed on a table with raffle tickets attached. You waited for your lucky number to be called and make off at the end of the evening with half a lamb, pigs trotters, ribeyes. If you’re a meat lover this may be to your liking but what with the ever present smell of an abattoir and the smoke (smoking allowed in pubs, back in the day) I was not tempted to stay for a second drink.

OP, I am begging you to have a second date and take him to a meat raffle. Outweird him.

Has anyone seen the Inbetweeners movie? The bit where Neil starts dancing robotically in the night club? I was working when a neighbour I'm friends with came in for a drink and to meet a bloke for their first date. They ended up staying and he learned the dance off by heart and did it at every opportunity. She was mortified but he turned out to be a really nice guy who wasn't afraid to laugh at himself and she gave him a chance. They are now married and second baby is due in November. So op you never know.

The dance in question if anyone is interested.

I actually really like it.

I am wheezing.....so hard!

dance moves as well!! Oh Op you poor poor thing! Please go on a second date for me? I think it's the least you can do!
I haven't laughed so much since that guy on the Fourth Plinth proposed to his girlfriend and she ran away!

I am essentially quite unkind to people

That's hilarious... how did you react. 🤪

On one date, the guy offered to drive me home but said he needed to quickly stop at a friends house. Turned out he needed to stop at the friends house to pick up a load of cocaine which he'd later be cutting and bagging.

Free I have the film on my watchlist ready to watch. Thats just put me in the mood. I hope its good.

Unless it's Eddie Vedder or whoever no bloke should play the guitar /sing/serenade or whatever. It just screams idiot

I thought meat raffles only take place at car boot sales?

No. I've never been to one, but regularly drive past a pub that advertises having one once a month on a Sunday.

I really want to go to a meat raffle now!
"I'm going out, kids! Dinner is whatever I win!"

@StormTreader - is everyone a winner in a meat raffle? This just keeps getting better and better.

I have no idea! We should go and find out!