As the Minister for Equality, Irene Montero has stressed, remarks like these can backfire in surprising and sometimes sharp ways, especially when spoken on national television or in casual settings. The following collection examines ten of the worst compliments heard on First Dates and why they often miss their mark, leaving the giver looking awkward instead of charming.
These moments tend to linger in memory not for the sentiment they aimed to express but for the embarrassment they cause to the person delivering them and, in some cases, for the unintended humor they provoke.
1) “I wish I was cross-eyed so I could see that face twice”
The complete line goes, “You have a beautiful face. I wish I were squinting so I could see that face twice and keep it in my retina.” The speaker was a 29-year-old from Seville, the recipient a 45-year-old from Alicante, and the reaction was a polite but firm decision not to pursue a second meeting given the unusual compliment that followed the initial enthusiasm.
2) “I didn’t know there was a nuclear plant nearby… Because you shine”
The recipient answered with surprised delight, followed by laughter. In front of the cameras she admitted a certain confidence that the compliment was flattering, yet obvious to onlookers who witnessed the moment. The scene captures the tension between flattery and authenticity on a first impression.
3) “I love your dyed hair like Chelo García Cortés”
The awkwardness peak arrived as this compliment preceded a romantic gesture from a partner. The moment felt more humorous than heartfelt, prompting social media users to remark that the line missed its romantic target entirely.
4) “You have beautiful ears”
No professional medical praise here—the comment mixed curiosity with a stereotype about the ears. Some viewers mocked the choice to compliment a body part that feels oddly intimate for a first interaction. Ultimately, the remark underscored how a first date benefits from warmth over anatomy talk.
5) “They say you have a better time with shorter people later on”
A student from Alicante replied with disbelief and asked what was meant by the line. A playful exchange followed as others weighed in about preferences, and the moment shifted from awkward to lighthearted as the conversation continued.
6) “You look like my grandma Loli”
One participant relayed the remark with a mix of humor and confusion. The moment spiraled into a playful exchange about generations, and the tension eased as each party clarified the sentiment behind the comparison, revealing how misread compliments can be.
7) “Look at those beautiful eyes, they’re like marbles”
The compliment landed as a humorous misstep rather than a poetic flourish. The recipient reacted with a puzzled smile, and the moment was remembered more for its odd imagery than for genuine romance.
8) “You’re like a plate of pasta when I’m really hungry”
The line played on a simple craving metaphor that rang hollow for a first date. The exchange remained quirky and endearing in its own way, but it highlighted how food metaphors can feel forced if not tied to real sentiment.
The caption under the moment joked about how the recipient’s expression felt almost leafy. It captured the lighthearted, almost surreal nature of dating banter that can go awry in front of a camera.
9) “I will kill myself for you. How beautiful you are”
The intensity of this line was shocking and sparked concern rather than affection. The moment underscored the risk of extreme expressions on a first meeting and served as a reminder of how easily lines can cross into alarming territory.
10) “I’ll call you Google because you have everything I’m looking for”
The remark stood out for its clever wordplay and meta humor. The person recounting it laughed as the date continued, and the pair agreed to a second encounter, proving that a bold line can sometimes win the shoot if delivered with genuine warmth.
The memory of these ten moments asks a broader question: what makes a compliment work on a first date? A good line should feel sincere, timely, and respectful. The best interactions blend humor with kindness, avoiding grandiose claims or outlandish comparisons. The show captures how easy it is to misread the moment and how important it is to read the room with tact, especially when cameras are rolling.
Do you remember any other compliment attempts from dates that deserved a spot on this list? A note about winners and losers would be welcome, as would a candid discussion about what helps a connection grow beyond a single moment.