Red flag/Dealbreaker

Meet up once more time only to see if he pays you back or even then asks for another twenty pounds. Then once you get/have your answer - you can end it or continue knowing whether it was a genuine request !! You will be rest assured then.

I’d say follow your gut feeling. I do. Unfortunately some ppl are out not looking for love only your cash. I had a work friend who went through something similar. Walk away before you get into deep. I’ve being on few dating sites and Ive even being in long term relationship with someone but he cheated on me with someone else online. So I’ve given up on men lol now it’s about me and my family and grandkids.

Maybe he’ll borrow £20 from another date over the weekend ?

Kick him into touch! This is just the slippery slope to asking you for larger and larger amounts.
I wonder just how many others he has on the go. Don’t think you are the only one!
You’re wise to see through him this early on.

Most people have a credit or debit card they can use these days, and not many rely on cash. I wonder why he had neither cash or cards he could use for petrol. It might be worth asking him (in a kind way) what his situation is and why he had to borrow the money. I would be curious if nothing else. Does he own a house, car etc. You will be able to detect if he is telling you the truth. If you feel he isn't then walk away.

So he doesn't have cash on a Friday but will come Monday. What's he going to be doing to find the cash over a weekend. And, why did he not arrange to meet up on Monday when he would cash to cover his petrol instead if Friday. Say goodbye now.

Well I wouldn’t be seeing him again, just in it for money, you’ve had a lucky escape

You are right to trust your gut feelings. I've never been wrong trusting my gut and the only time I ignored it my car was broken into! Good luck for the future.

Why not wait to see if you do get it back?

He's hoping you'll meet him on Monday and say keep the money. So tell him to post you the money, so you're not out of pocket, if you want to give him your address; or use one of a friend. Then, block him.

Well, I have just realised how very naive and unstreetwise I am! Thank you ladies for opening my eyes !!!

Alarm bells big time, please do yourself a favour and get rid of him!

The suspicious side of me would question whether asking for a relatively small amount of money would be his entree into asking for more on subsequent meet ups. Maybe he was assessing your reaction to gauge whether you may be a soft touch. I think asking you how you were fixed financially on a first meeting is a complete no no and based on that I would definitely draw a line under any expectations from a relationship with this person. Absolutely go with your instincts the flag is very red indeed I'd say!

Would have felt like saying “Sorry, I didn’t bring my purse with me as I assumed we wouldn’t need any money to go walking”.

As others have said, apart from anything else, if he’s so disorganised not to have sufficient petrol in his car, he sounds like a waste of space.....

I agree with all thats been posted, i can`t add any better advice.

You were very lucky he showed his hand so early in your relationship .

The words ‘touch’ and ‘bargepole’ spring to mind.

Alarm bells ringing like Big Ben
I have also found that online dating is a minefield and you have to be very carful,

Being on your own is a far better position to be in than caught up in a net of lies deceit and a bad fish

Big big big alarm bells, that was just a taster ...you gave him £20 he probably would have given it back to build your confidence in him he would have reeled you in more and more then there would have been some ‘real crisis’ for a larger sum
You were being groomed well done for seeing through it and not letting your heart rule your head

Shame about the next lady who may not be so savvy

Wow, red flag the size of Wales! If he'd arrrived all flustered and said he'd come without his wallet and the tank was on red could he borrow a fiver just to get home I'd have laughed lent him £20, enjoyed the walk and then reviewed his suitability. then rejected him because I like organised people!

Alarm bells would ring with me. It may only be £20 now but who knows what it may be further down the line should you stay with him. Let him keep the money and put it down to experience.

He must have been aware of how much petrol it would take to get to your meeting point and back, therefore he must have either planned or assumed that you would go to his assistance. Follow your own instinct, tell him to keep the money. Then don’t answer his calls or texts and delete him from your phone. Mark it down to experience and be thankful that you only lost £20, it could have been so much worse.

NotAGran55 that went through my mind too. I’d rather he had arranged the meet up for when he could afford it. Not that it was even an expensive date. We walked the full time without stopping for as much as a coffee. Oh well, glad others feel the same and it’s helped make my mind up.

As others have said , write it off to experience .
What would he have done if you hadn’t got any cash with you!

Thanks everyone for the feedback and I’m going to go with my gut on this and call it a day.

I’d rather lose £20 now than a lot more a bit down the line when feeling have maybe developed although the way I’m feeling now it’s unlikely. I would just be far too proud to ask someone for money like that. He also doesn’t get paid for nearly another 10 days so can see it being more than a one off.

He seemed a catch but I did joke with a couple friends there will be issues somewhere. Just puts you off! I’ll stick to my own company again lol ?

Your last paragraph sums it up. Be relieved it’s only cost £20 and some disappointment to end this now.