Dating

Today's Special: Allergy Surprise

After dating a guy for two weeks, he asked me if he could cook me dinner on our next date. He told me that he was going to make me his specialty and that it would be the best thing I ever tasted! I didn’t mention my allergies, because I was so excited that he asked me, and a bit of me didn’t want to risk altering his “specialty”. When I went over that night, lo and behold, his specialty might as well have been called “Allergy Surprise!” because it was loaded with things I’m allergic to. I was so embarrassed when I told him that I wouldn’t be able to eat it, and he got upset with me for not telling him earlier.

What can others learn from this?

Tell people up front about your allergies. It was really unfair of me to let him cook a whole meal, knowing that I might not be able to eat it. That was our last date together. I learned a valuable lesson in that it's hard for people to take you seriously if you don’t even take your allergies seriously.

Sorry to ruin the moment but...

I was at a friend’s birthday party where I was flirting with a girl that I’ve had a crush on for a while. We were really connecting and were about to kiss until I smelt that distinct familiar odour of peanut butter. I pulled away before our lips even touched and asked her straight up “were you eating peanut butter?” Needless to say things got a tad awkward! She told me that she had a peanut butter cookie that someone brought to the party. I then explained my peanut allergy. I found out she was a keeper right then as she told me that would be the last time she would eat peanuts when I’m around!

What can others learn from this?

An awkward situation like this can (and should!) be avoided! If you are dating and have food allergies, it's wise to bring up allergies with people you might be intimate with sooner rather than later. I usually bring it up by asking them “what are 3 really unique things about you?” Hopefully they will ask the same to you, and you can let them know about it then.

Have you experienced a difficult allergy related dating situation? How did you manage it? Share your experience!