A TikTok video posted by a woman named Cheyenne Stone went viral after she shared a bizarre story about a date that took a sharp turn over the most unexpected of objects: a pink, glittery birthday candle sitting on her coffee table. The clip, originally posted in late December, quickly racked up thousands of views and comments as viewers couldn’t believe what they were hearing. Stone invited a man back to her apartment, and what should have been a pleasant evening quickly fell apart once he started making dismissive comments about her personal belongings. What started as a seemingly harmless observation from the man turned into a full-blown display of condescension that left Stone — and the internet — absolutely stunned.
Stone explained that the candle had been a gift from her close friend Maddie, given to her for her 30th birthday. “One of my best friends, Maddie, got it for my 30th birthday. She knows me really well. It’s pink and glittery and it just makes my day,” Stone told the man when he initially complimented it. His tune changed fast, however, as he followed up that polite observation with a remark that crossed a clear line. “It’s really pathetic that you still have your 30th birthday decorations displayed around your apartment. Wasn’t that like a year ago?” he said, according to Stone’s retelling in the video.
Rather than letting the comment slide, Stone fired back with a perfectly crafted response that has since become a fan favorite in the comments section. She told him that if he thought a birthday candle was too much, he was certainly not going to be allowed anywhere near her childhood stuffed bear, which she has kept since her third birthday in 1997 and still proudly displays in her bedroom. “Sir, then you definitely don’t want to meet my childhood stuffed animal. I’ve had it since 1997, since my third birthday, and it sits in my bedroom. You will never enter that room to meet him,” she quipped. The audience loved it, and the comment section erupted in applause for her quick wit and confidence.
@hi_its_chey_ more dating lore for your entertainment #dating #datinghumor #single #datingstories ♬ original sound – cheyenne
Many viewers who weighed in on the video agreed that the man’s behavior was a textbook example of a tactic known as “negging,” which involves making subtle put-downs or belittling comments in an attempt to undermine someone’s self-esteem and gain psychological leverage. The general consensus was that he had revealed his true character early, which many considered a blessing rather than a setback. “He was definitely jealous,” one commenter wrote, pointing to the idea that the man may have felt threatened by Stone’s close friendships and warm memories. “Honestly, it’s really nice of him that he showed his red flag before things went too far,” another user added.
Others found humor in the absurdity of the situation, with one commenter writing, “Imagine being threatened by a pink glittery candle.” The video tapped into a broader conversation about how small moments on dates can reveal a great deal about a person’s character and insecurities. Stone herself said she ultimately felt grateful that the evening ended the way it did, as she walked away with a funny story, her dignity fully intact, and her beloved candle still right where it belonged.
Negging as a concept has been widely discussed in dating culture and psychology circles for years. It is often associated with so-called “pickup artist” communities that gained popularity in the early 2000s, where it was presented as a manipulation strategy to make the target feel insecure enough to seek the approval of the person negging them. Psychologists and relationship experts have broadly condemned the tactic as a form of emotional manipulation and a warning sign of deeper controlling or narcissistic tendencies. Healthy relationships, by contrast, are generally built on mutual respect, admiration, and the celebration of each other’s quirks and personal histories rather than attempts to diminish them. Sentimental objects, whether birthday candles, childhood stuffed animals, or old photographs, are often deeply tied to a person’s sense of identity and emotional well-being, and dismissing them can feel like a personal attack on the individual themselves.
Share your thoughts on this story in the comments — do you think his reaction was a red flag, or is the internet overreacting?
