Foodie Calls and Other Dating Scams

Beware!

There is a practice that is often nicknamed “foodie calls” (a play on “booty calls”). It’s when someone goes on a date with no romantic or sexual interest in the other person, but mainly to get a free meal.

It is one of those reasons while people should go on frugal dates during the first two dates and only spend more on the third date when it is becoming more serious. If you are going on a dinner date for the first date then there is a very real chance that your romantic partner could be trying to scam you into paying for their meal and has zero interest in you romantically or sexually.

How common is it?

Studies & surveys: A 2019 study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science surveyed women in the U.S. and found that about 23–33% admitted to having gone on at least one “foodie call.” So it is far more common than people care to admit.

Motivations: Some said it was for a free meal, because they enjoy scamming people, others said it was out of boredom, curiosity, or social pressure.

Men do it too: While the term is gendered, men can also use dates for free food, drinks, or perks, though it’s less often talked about. Or they might skip out on the bill, leaving the other person to pay for it.

Other dating scams / exploitative behaviors (both men & women)

Here’s a breakdown of common ones:

Financial / Material Scams

Romance scams: Building an emotional connection online to trick someone into sending money (“catfishing for cash”).

Sugar dating exploitation: One person promises intimacy or a relationship in exchange for gifts/money but strings the other along with no intention of following through.

“Bill splitting dodge”: Pretending to have “forgotten” a wallet or never paying their share repeatedly.

Luxury date scams: Using dating apps to get into high-end clubs, dinners, or vacations paid for by the other person.

Emotional / Identity Deception

Catfishing: Using fake photos or identities to lure someone into a relationship.

Age, marital status, or lifestyle lies: Claiming to be single, younger, wealthier, or child-free when they’re not.

Status scammers: Pretending to be more successful (renting cars, photoshopping images, fake job titles) to impress or manipulate.

Physical / Sexual Exploits

Hookup baiting: Pretending to want a relationship just to get casual sex.

Revenge or humiliation dates: Going out with someone just to mock them later online or with friends.

Safety-related Scams

Robbery setups: Luring someone to a “date” and then having accomplices mug them.

Drugging / spiking: Gaining control for theft or assault.
 

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So “foodie calls” are relatively common and socially talked about, but they’re just one part of a wider ecosystem of exploitative behavior in dating.