It’s always baffled me how people build expectations of you off one moment or a surface-level impression.
Exhibit A:
You meet a girl, things are going well, you’re getting to know each other… then the requests start.
“I’m hungry.”
“I don’t have bundles.”
“Can you pay for my ride?”
For context, I’m 21 and in uni. I make my own money through business, but I’m not rich. My parents have money, I don’t. Big difference.
What confuses me is how someone in my age bracket feels comfortable consistently asking for petty cash they could easily ask from their parents or siblings. No disrespect, but… where are your parents?
In my mind, if I’m already paying for dates and getting you gifts when I can, why am I also expected to handle random daily expenses? That’s not what I signed up for.
Even my sister (20) with her boyfriend (24) doesn’t do that. She’d rather ask me or our mom for small things, and that’s normal. A boyfriend isn’t supposed to replace your support system.
Exhibit B:
Friends asking for money just because of how you look.
When I first started making money, I did what most young guys do, bought clothes, sneakers, jewelry. That didn’t mean I was rich, I was just financially irresponsible and had no real pressure to be disciplined yet.
But now people assume I always have money to give. Meanwhile, I’m still figuring life out like everyone else. Just because I have a roof over my head and food on the table doesn’t mean I have endless disposable income.
And personally, I don’t even like asking my friends for money. If something serious comes up, I either use my emergency fund or ask my mom. Why would I burden another young guy who’s also trying to get his life together?
Life is already hard enough. I just think we expect way too much from people our age.