Date mocked women who read romance novels for having ‘unrealistic expectations’ — her comeback made him leave immediately
First meetings can reveal more than expected, especially when opinions clash early. A woman, Melanie Codina (@melaniecodina), shared how a casual coffee date took an uncomfortable turn when the man she met openly said he did not like women who read romance, claiming they often have unrealistic expectations. What followed was a calm but confident reply from her that led him to leave soon after. The story described how the normal conversation instantly shifted during the meetup. The short incident was shared online on Threads on February 2, 2026, and drew attention and praise from readers.
As they talked, her date suddenly said, “I’m not a fan of a woman who reads romance novels. They have unrealistic expectations.” After a brief pause, she confidently replied, “You mean, I simply have expectations, and you’re not someone who can meet them. Got it.” The response shifted the mood instantly. According to her post, the man was caught off guard, paused for a moment, and then chose to end the meeting immediately. He told her he was going to "take off," to which she had an even more epic reply — "Thanks, I’ve got a book to read." Describing herself as a "hopeful romantic" in her bio, the woman had no second thoughts about her preferences or her response in defending them.
In a comment, she added to her confident move by sharing, "Moment of regret afterwards because I didn't even get the chance to mention I also write romance. It would’ve been fun to see his face with that one!" As an author, Codina was clear about what she wanted and wasn't afraid to say it out loud. The moment may have been brief, but it reflected a bigger picture about how people view relationships and personal interests. In such situations, people often reveal their values quickly, and it becomes clear whether they align or not, which can save time and avoid confusion. In the end, the encounter stayed with her as something she could look back on with humor. She ended the interaction calmly and chose to move on rather than argue further.
Sometimes, the best way to respond to a rude comment is with a clear and sharp comeback. The internet applauded the woman's confidence and sass. @dearpdxgirl wrote, "I'm still laughing about this. Picturing him sulking away, attempting to console himself." @darlenemarshallauthor remarked, "My day is complete. Thank you." @michelinareads247 remarked, "I give you so much credit for being able to come up with that response in the moment! Good riddance!"
For more interesting dating stories, follow @melaniecodina on her Threads account.