Hinge Date Invites Her Out and Hints He Will Spend on Her. Then He Can’t Use Apple Pay on Nokia When the Bill Arrives: ‘What’s Going On in 2026?’
Sign of the times?
The internet is losing it over this viral clip that perfectly captures the chaos of modern dating in 2026. U.K. creator eznae, @eznaey on TikTok, shared the cringe-worthy moment from her Hinge date at Flat Iron, a budget-friendly London steakhouse. The video, which has racked up hundreds of thousands of views, shows her mid-bite into a burger when the off-screen man starts debating how to pay.
According to the footage, he claimed she had previously said she’d “trick on” him – slang for covering the cost – because TikTok was paying her well. When pressed about Apple Pay, he admitted he only had a “Nokia brick.” Eznae’s reaction was pure disbelief. “Get your money up,” she told him. “This must be AI.” She ended up paying the bill, and he still asked for a second date.
The caption, “He made me cover the bill for flat iron and also wants a second date, what’s going on in 2026?”, has become the rallying cry for anyone who’s ever dealt with a first-date financial fumble. The video taps into a much bigger conversation about dating norms, financial expectations, and the role technology plays in modern romance
In 2026, contactless payments are the default
Showing up without a way to split the bill is basically a social crime. The fact that this guy’s carried a Nokia brick only added to the absurdity. The comments section exploded with reactions, ranging from outrage to dark humor. One user wrote, “nokia brick?? HOW THE FREAK DID HE USE HINGE??” Another pointed out the obvious red flag: “why are we leaving our homes with no money ?”
Women shared their own horror stories, like one who said, “This is an old trick to try us. Been through that Apple Pay didn’t even exist lol ‘forgot my wallet’ as his nearby house, told him to go back. Sir you invited me, I’m not paying the entire bill! ?”
Meanwhile, a guy in the comments summed up the collective male embarrassment: “So damn hard to defend mandem sometimes man. Like why would a sane person even do this, just stay at home, now looks you’ve pissed her off, you’re never getting another chance with her when you could’ve just stalled till you’re good ???? broooo!!! ?♂️”
The exchange has struck a nerve because it’s so relatable
Dating apps like Hinge have made it easier than ever to meet new people, but they’ve also created a minefield of unspoken rules and expectations. Who pays? How much effort is too much? And why does it feel like everyone is just winging it? Eznae’s video is a snapshot of the small humiliations and negotiations that happen every day on first dates. Whether it was a genuine mishap or a bit of performance art, it’s resonating because it feels real.
This isn’t the first time a Hinge date has gone viral for all the wrong reasons. Just last month, a Denver woman shared her own nightmare scenario after her date refused to cover the $60 bar tab. According to AllHipHop, Elise Beck, who goes by @ealbeck on TikTok, said she arrived at the bar first and put her card down to start a tab. Her date showed up, ordered a beer, and the night proceeded without a hitch – until the bill arrived.
When the waitress asked if she should charge Beck’s card or switch to another, her date didn’t move. No wallet reached for, no offer to split. “This man’s not moving towards his wallet,” she recalled. “He’s not like, ‘Oh, let me get that.’” Beck, not wanting to make the waitress uncomfortable, told her to charge her card. His response? “You sure?” She wasn’t, but she paid anyway. His promise to Venmo her back never materialized at the moment.
Instead, he walked her to her car, gave her a hug, and told her to text when she got home. The next day, he floated the idea of a second date. She replied, then sent her Venmo username so he could pay her back. What he did instead was use her full name to find and follow her on Instagram. It took days of reminders before he finally sent the $60. By then, the damage was done. When he invited himself over for a wine night, she shut it down. “I’m so sorry. This isn’t gonna work.”
These stories are a sign of the times
A 2025 survey by dating app Wisp found that 64% of women prefer the person who initiated the date to at least offer to pay. Meanwhile, a Venmo community survey revealed that 66% of users think it’s inappropriate to send a payment request after a date without discussing it first.
What’s interesting about both of these stories is how they highlight the gap between expectations and reality. On paper, dating apps make it easy to connect. In practice, they’re a minefield of unspoken rules, financial awkwardness, and outdated technology. Whether it’s a Nokia brick or a forgotten Venmo promise, the little things can derail a date faster than you can say “split the bill.”
For now, the best advice might be the simplest. If you invite someone out, be prepared to pay. If you can’t pay, don’t go. And if your phone is a Nokia brick, maybe upgrade before your next date. Because in 2026, even your tech can be a dealbreaker.
(Featured image: eznae @eznaey on TikTok)
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