A seemingly innocent first date act has sparked a fierce debate after a reality TV star admitted it instantly gave him the 'ick'. Best known for his recent appearance on the Aussie series 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' and his whirlwind marriage to influencer Tammy Hembrow, Matt Zukowski has been back on the dating scene since their public split last June. The 30-year-old recently went viral for asking his followers if he was being 'too harsh' after revealing his first date gave him the 'ick' for sending back her steak that wasn't cooked the way she'd requested.
Etiquette Expert Weighs In
Etiquette expert Jo Hayes told news.com.au that the former TV star was actually the one being 'unreasonable'. 'It's completely normal for a person to send back their food if it's not as requested,' Ms Hayes said. While she acknowledged it isn't ideal to be left eating while your date waits, she noted that it's just 'one of those life situations'. 'If you should be turned off by anything, it should be the restaurant that got your order wrong,' she said. Taking it a step further, she suggested Zukowski would have even been on solid ground to request a discount or refund for the experience. Ms Hayes also pointed out that while sending food back for 'nit-picky' reasons could be a turn-off, a ruined steak is well within polite send-back territory. 'This fellow sounds a little bit too easily annoyed,' she concluded. 'Your date is not in the wrong here.'
What Exactly Is the 'Ick'?
The 'ick' is essentially another word for a turn-off, but it's typically triggered by something far more trivial, like a dorky dance move, a quirky habit, or simply the way someone talks, laughs or eats. Relationship psychology researcher Dr Raquel Peel says this sudden feeling of repulsion often stems from a deeper unresolved issue, trigger, projection or insecurity. But in a society where dating apps perpetuate a culture that makes many feel disposable, experts urge people to think before they act on their 'icks'. In this case, the 'ick' for Zukowski was the perceived awkwardness of his date sending her steak back while he proceeded to eat without her.
Social Media Reacts
While there may or may not be a deeper meaning behind his reaction, many on social media thought he was actually the one being 'icky' by not supporting her request and subsequently calling her out online. 'What's icky is you saying icky,' one person commented on TikTok. 'You wanting to eat a well-done steak gave me the ick,' another poked fun. A third cheered the woman on, saying: 'I like that she sent it back, she's not afraid of pleasing you and others around her, good for her!' Other users noted the high cost of dining out, arguing, 'Steaks aren't cheap these days, so why can't she enjoy it how she likes it?'
First Date Dos and Don'ts
When it comes to other first-date etiquette, Ms Hayes says there are definitely some good practices for both parties to remember to maximise a comfortable and enjoyable experience. She believes that 'gentlemanly' gestures like opening doors, letting the woman walk through first, letting her order first, and texting to say you had a lovely time are welcomed. 'Truly, most of the traditional dating etiquette behaviours are as relevant today as they were 50 years ago,' Ms Hayes added. 'The vast majority of women love them, and being treated like a lady makes her feel safe and pursued.' Another highly controversial issue is who foots the bill. 'Whether it's a $50 dinner or a $10 coffee, the person who does the inviting — traditionally the man — should cover the cost,' she said, warning women to beware of dates who suggest splitting it in this situation.
