One of the newest terminologies in the dating world is the act of sneating. Sneating (sneak eating) is when you agree to a date with no intentions of seeing the person ever again… just to enjoy a free meal or free drinks. When someone sneats you, they are not interested in you as a potential romantic partner, they are just interested in getting a nice free meal in their belly.
One should not confuse sneating with a bad date. Sometimes you think you're into someone, and you graciously accept a date, knowing that this is a great chance to get to know them. While discussing personal beliefs and goals in life, you realize the you are not compatible with this potential partner. They politely offer to pick up the bill, because it was their idea to take you out. In this situation, you are not sneating -- you simply went on a bad date.
Bad dates happen all the time and becoming uninterested in a potential partner mid-date is simply that. You are only being a sneat if you have no intentions of ever being in a relationship with the other person and still accept the offer.
Signs you're dealing with a sneater
The most obvious sign that you are on a date with a sneater is that they are uninterested from the start. If you bring up something you shouldn't, and your date looks uncomfortable, you just suck at dating. A telltale sign your date is already over you is if they constantly look at their phone. If your date has smiled at their phone more than they have at you, you're in hot water. If you brought your date to a restaurant, and they only stopped looking at their phone to order, they might be trying a dirty sneat.
It's not impolite to respectfully ask if everything is okay. They might have a family emergency that they are being updated on. Communication is key, and you don't want to automatically assume that your date is trying to score a free meal. Express your concern and react according to their response.
Another bad sign is your date gives one-word answers. They should be an active contributor to the conversation. If it feels like you are talking to a brick wall, there's a pretty good chance your date is failing.
You must use your best judgement in deciphering the other person's disinterest. Does your online picture and profile accurately represent what you bring to the table? Have you jumped the gun and bought them an expensive gift before you even went on a first date? Not participating in the conversation does not automatically mean you're dealing with a sneater. You'll have to use context clues to determine if that's the truth.
If your date demands that you go to a fancy restaurant, that can be definite sign of sneating. When you are getting to know each other better, how expensive a restaurant is shouldn't matter. You may want to impress your date and take them to an upscale establishment, but a five-course meal of Michelin star quality can wait for a special occasion.
If your date orders an excessive amount of expensive food, like two appetizers on top of two of the most expensive meals on the menu and a full bottle of wine -- without consulting you first – something's up.
What to do if you realize you're being sneated
When the check comes at the end of your dinner date, you'll have to decide if you are being sneated or not. If you believe that your date was only using you for a free meal, let them know in a respectful manner that you would like to split the bill.
It is assumed that you didn't discuss who will be paying for the bill before you went out (don't do that, it makes you look bad), so each party should go into the date expecting that they might have to pay for what they consume. As long as you are respectful, you won't be in the wrong.