Maggie Smith, 32, walked back to her car in disbelief.

The Alabaman dressed up, did her makeup, and headed to a restaurant for dinner with someone she had met on a dating app. They had been texting for weeks and had even spoken on the phone, but this was their first official date. She had been eagerly anticipating it.

However, the date was over within two minutes.

“I’m just not feeling it,” Smith recalls him saying just moments after they met outside the restaurant.

Feeling devastated, Smith shared her experience on TikTok, where her video received 11.6 million views and drew various reactions. Many viewers expressed their support, while others were unkind. Some debated whether it’s acceptable to end a date early and under what conditions.

Dating and relationship experts suggest that Smith’s brief date and the online buzz around it reflect a common frustration with the superficial nature of modern dating.

“Many of us have faced rejection, judgment, or mislabeling during dates − and it’s painful,” says Amy Chan, a dating coach and author of “Breakup Bootcamp: The Science of Rewiring Your Heart.” “There’s something deeply hurtful about being judged superficially without being given a real chance as a person. … She’s not alone in what she experienced − sadly, it’s a tough aspect of dating.”

Dating apps have transformed our treatment of each other. It’s an issue.

Before they met, Smith was clear about her appearance. She included several full-body photos on her dating profile and informed her date during their call that she is plus-sized. He reassured her that he was okay with it.

So, when he rejected her upon seeing her, in front of a group of people waiting outside, she felt utterly humiliated.

“I literally went blank,” Smith recalls. “I almost walked past my car without realizing it. I was just in shock.  It wasn’t about heartbreak; I was simply embarrassed that I walked into this restaurant for nothing.”

Silently, Smith drove home. Once there, she recorded a video about her date to send to a friend. Then, she decided to post it on TikTok and woke up the next morning surprised at the overwhelming attention it received overnight.

Amid all the different reactions, Smith’s video has ignited a discussion on dating etiquette. Some believe the man did the right thing by ending the date early, while others deem it rude regardless.

Smith sees both perspectives but feels that, ultimately, the way he handled it was hurtful.

“It’s a tricky situation,” she comments. “People say, ‘At least he didn’t waste your time. Would you have preferred he sat through the meal and then told you?’ I would have. … It’s far more painful to think someone wouldn’t even consider getting to know me.”

Experts note that the harsh behavior shown by Smith’s date is prevalent in today’s online dating culture. The rise of dating apps has led many to reject potential partners almost instantaneously, often making snap decisions based on very little information.

This mindset has started to seep into real-life interactions as well.

“Sadly, this is a byproduct of online dating. It has made finding partners feel more like a shopping experience,” Chan explains. “People choose and discard potential matches based on surface-level traits, and with so many choices out there, it’s easy to forget that these are real people, not objects.”

Experiencing such harsh rejection can have profound effects.

“It can really be triggering, and it’s quite shocking to be treated that way,”:

Stephanie Sarkis, a therapist and the author of “Healing from Toxic Relationships: 10 Essential Steps to Recover from Gaslighting, Narcissism, and Emotional Abuse,” points out, “Sadly, this is the aspect of online dating we must consider, as it fosters quick decision-making that isn’t always just.”

Dating can be challenging, but that doesn’t mean you should give up.

Since her “shortest first date ever” gained attention online, Smith has decided to remove dating apps from her life. She is still searching for love but aims to connect with others face-to-face, allowing her personality and humor to shine through.

She hopes that her experience will remind others to treat their dates with respect.

“Having preferences isn’t the problem,” Smith asserts. “Everyone has them. It’s all about how you treat someone who isn’t your preference. If you don’t want to match with them, don’t, but don’t ask them out and then treat them poorly.”

While it’s perfectly fine to leave a date if you feel uncomfortable, Chan suggests that if your only concern is a lack of attraction, you shouldn’t leave prematurely. At the very least, stick around for the duration of your agreed time – whether that’s for dinner or a quick coffee.

“We have taken things too far with the belief that ‘no one is entitled to my time,’ and our exaggerated sense of how busy and important we are has led to a loss of basic human kindness,” Chan points out. “There is a real individual in front of you, and they shouldn’t be treated as if they are disposable just because you’re not immediately drawn to them.”

For Smith and others who have faced similar disappointing dates, Chan reassures that feeling hurt is normal, but it’s important not to be disheartened.

“It only takes one good match,” Chan emphasizes. “Just because it didn’t work out with one person doesn’t mean you should stop looking for love in the future. You need to keep trying and build the resilience needed for dating.”