He asked her to prove she’s ‘real’ by saying his name fast on video 20 minutes before their first date — her comeback is comedy gold
As scams and deception rise on online dating platforms, many people are losing trust in new connections. A comedian named Elisha Tan shared a story on Instagram under the handle @elishatan on April 11, 2026, about a strange pre-date request that left her more amused than impressed. Twenty minutes before their scheduled date, the man she was supposed to meet asked her to prove she was "real" by sending a video of herself saying his name quickly. In the video, she revealed her actual response and the savage comeback she wished she had come up with.
Tan immediately shared with the audience, joking, “What in the two-factor authentication is this?” She then explained further details about how they weren’t meeting at a fancy location but just for a casual stroll, which made the demand feel even more ridiculous. She politely refused, emphasizing that she wouldn’t record herself just to satisfy his request. Later, she reflected that she could have teased him further instead, jokingly asking him to send nine photos so she could pick one with a school bus she wanted to throw herself under, turning the absurd request into a playful thought experiment.
The post instantly resonated with many because of Tan's clever, no-nonsense reaction and has gained more than 65K views since being shared online. She also emphasized in the caption, commenting, “Excuse me, but I’m not about to record a demo reel just to prove I exist.” By sharing the incident, she highlighted the importance of maintaining boundaries and not letting anyone pressure you, even in casual dating scenarios.
She added that the unexpected request came just before they were supposed to meet at a nearby park, only a ten-minute walk from his place. She managed to turn what could have been an awkward situation into a humorous moment, all while clearly demonstrating the importance of self-respect. She commented that this was the "dating ick of the week" for her, highlighting the quirky and frustrating side of online dating today.
Sometimes, the best way to handle an annoying date is with a firm response, just like one woman recently experienced. Threads user Sophia Kerubo went on a date where she spent time chatting and getting to know her companion. However, one comment from the man caught her off guard. Her date randomly offered a backhanded compliment, saying, “You’re pretty for a dark girl.” Instead of getting upset, she fired back with a clever line, saying, “And you’re confident for a man with that hairline,” which left him speechless and created an awkward silence in the room.
Kerubo later pointed out his behavior to her date, “See how crazy backhanded compliments sound?” and left him to ponder his harsh words. The moment showed how a confident, witty reply can turn an uncomfortable situation around. Her story later resonated with many online as it highlighted how subtle insults can be addressed firmly without aggression. By standing her ground with humor, she made it clear that she wouldn’t tolerate disrespect while keeping the interaction memorable.
For more amusing dating stories, follow @elishatan on Instagram.