Debating Ghosting My Disrespectful Coworker After Disastrous Blind Date: AITA?

A 28-year-old woman refused to let a “sure, we’ll just grab a drink” setup turn into a second chance, even though the guy is her coworker. The date with Alex, a 30-year-old man from her own department, didn’t just flop, it went full chaos mode.

He talked about himself nonstop, brushed off her interests, and even managed to be rude to the server, then dropped a sexist remark that left her uncomfortable. When she tried to steer things back to normal conversation, Alex kept dragging it to his achievements like the restaurant was his personal TED Talk stage.

Now she’s stuck balancing her gut feeling with the reality that he works a few desks away, and that’s where the real mess starts.

Original Post

So I'm (28F) and recently got set up on a blind date by a coworker (30M) named Alex. We work in the same department but had never really interacted outside of work before.

The date was an absolute disaster. Alex spent the entire time talking about himself, dismissing my interests, and being overall rude to the server.

At one point, he made a sexist remark that made me extremely uncomfortable. I tried to steer the conversation to more neutral topics, but he kept bringing it back to himself and his achievements.

By the end of the night, I was just counting down the minutes until it was over. After we parted ways, Alex texted me saying he had a great time and was looking forward to the next date.

I haven't responded yet and I'm contemplating just ghosting him. I feel like he was so self-absorbed and disrespectful that I have no interest in pursuing anything further.

But I also don't want things to be awkward at work. Should I just ghost him or should I be upfront about not wanting to see him again?

Am I the a*****e for potentially hurting his feelings by ghosting him? Really need some outside perspective.

The situation presented by the 28-year-old woman navigating a disastrous blind date with her coworker Alex illustrates the intricate dynamics of workplace relationships. Such encounters often come with significant emotional and professional risks, as the article indicates. The failed date not only affected their personal connection but also has the potential to create lingering discomfort in their professional interactions.

Crossing personal boundaries in a work setting can lead to increased tension, underscoring the necessity of maintaining a level of professionalism. Open communication is crucial in this context. By addressing feelings and experiences directly, individuals can reduce misunderstandings and help ensure that the workplace remains a conducive environment for all involved. The implications of this blind date extend far beyond the initial encounter, highlighting the importance of navigating such complexities with care.

Comment from u/gamingmaster99

Comment from u/coffeelover_88

Comment from u/the_real_drama_llama

Right after Alex texted “I had a great time” like the sexist comment was a fun icebreaker, she’s left wondering if he even clocked how bad it was.

The awkward part is that she can already picture running into Alex at work, smiling politely while he assumes they’re still on for date number two.

It also echoes the “loaning my struggling artist sister money” debate with her risky career change.

They recommend establishing ground rules before entering a romantic relationship at work, including how to communicate changes in the relationship status professionally. By doing so, employees can avoid the pitfalls of emotional fallout seeping into their work life, ensuring a more harmonious workplace.

Comment from u/bookworm47

Comment from u/crafty_kitty

If she ghosts, she’s not just dodging a man who ignored her, she’s potentially creating a new workplace vibe with Alex as the main character.

If she’s upfront, she risks turning a blind date disaster into an ongoing conversation in the same department where they already have to see each other.</p>

We'd love to hear your take on this situation. Share your thoughts below.

Navigating workplace relationships can be complex, particularly when a blind date leads to an awkward situation.

This scenario underscores the complexities of emotional reactions shaped by personal encounters and workplace dynamics.

Now he’s wondering why she went quiet, and she’s wondering why he thought that remark was date-night material.

For a bigger family blowup, read why she considered skipping her sister’s wedding over Chris.