Woman told an NYC man she was in a relationship after he asked her out three times — his last response left her genuinely impressed
People often back off after one try when someone they ask out turns them down. But one man who approached an Australian model and actress, Laura Dundovic, in NYC was not so quick to give up. He chose to ask her out three times before she revealed that she was in a relationship. To her surprise, the man came up with a clever response when she mentioned her relationship. Dundovic, who posts under the handle @lauradundovic, shared in a video on May 18, 2026, that the man's "elite" confidence left her genuinely impressed.
Dundovic explained that she was in New York City for work and was waiting in line for a matcha when the man approached her and asked for her number. She wasn't interested, but because he was polite, she tried to let him down gently. She said, “I’m only here for a few days for work,” hoping that would be enough. Instead, he confidently replied that he'd gladly make time for her whenever the schedule worked for her. Realizing he wasn't taking the hint, Dundovic gave him a more direct reason, telling him she had a partner. But rather than backing off, the man came back with an answer that caught her off guard. He said, “Okay, I’ll take you and your partner for dinner.”
Dundovic took it to Instagram to express how impressed she was with American men. She admired his confidence, calling the man a “confident king.” Dundovic said she loves American men because of what she sees as their willingness to keep trying without becoming rude or arrogant. The man's conviction and persistence in keeping the interaction friendly stood out to her. “The confidence here is elite,” she admitted.
Dundovic's story was less about whether she wanted to go on the date and more about the confidence behind the man's approach. In her view, he wasn't rude or pushy; he simply stayed upbeat after each response and kept the conversation light. “It is not arrogance,” she noted. That attitude was enough to turn what could have been an awkward encounter into one she found genuinely entertaining. Research also suggests that confidence in men during initial conversations can affect women's romantic interest.
In a study published in the Journal of Personality, researchers found that men who received training on handling speed-dating conversations felt more confident, and women who chatted with them also perceived them as more socially confident. Also, women who found a man more self-assured were more likely to see him as romantically desirable for a short-term relationship and worth getting to know further. The results give an interesting lens into Laura's experience, especially how she perceived the stranger and how her reaction toward him shifted from frustration to genuine admiration.
Viewers also found the man's approach interesting, and many women even compared American men with men in other countries. @jadenlouisedowd mentioned, "I love it too. Aussie men need to step up!" @abixo joked, “That level of confidence is divine!” while @madtev had a different theory, writing, “This is NYC. Try dating in LA; they would never.” @lorianna_nyc remarked, “NYC men are a different breed.”
To see more of her lifestyle content, you can follow @lauradundovic on Instagram.