Bad dates are part of the game. You're better off being prepared. Concoct an emergency exit plan and keep your car keys close and your cellphone fully charged.

Hey, we’ve all been there. Right out of college and after a rough breakup, a friend set me up with her husband's co-worker. He was polished. He was refined. He was 26 years my senior?

She failed to mention that last part in her pitch. I like older, but when the waiter asked my date what his "daughter" wanted for dinner, I wished I'd brought the Alka-Seltzer.

It was going to be a long night.

From the girl you met online who looks nothing like her profile pic, probably because she used a photo from 1989, to the not-so-charming guy who flossed his teeth at the table, bad dates make for good stories. Thus, we asked one of CultureMap's Most Eligible Bachelors, high-profile chef Philippe Schmit, to share his worst dating experiences (see the video confession above).

Tell us your worst dating stories — do you have us or Philippe beat?

In the interest of warding off bad dating stories, CultureMap's holding its first-ever Most Eligible Bachelors and Bachelorettes party on Dec. 21 at Mr. Peeples in Midtown. Mix and mingle with Houston's hottest singles in a light-hearted evening of fun. And perhaps, romance.

For more information or to purchase tickets, check out our event page.