A viral TikTok post by Los Angeles resident Matt Rhoades recently sparked a massive conversation about dating, wages, and work-life balance. The video, which has already racked up over 1.5 million views, detailed a situation in which Rhoades attempted to set up a date, only to be met with an unexpected realization of the value of a person’s day through her Apple Cash request. Rhoades explained the situation in his post. He claimed, “I was trying to hang with this girl yesterday, but she said she had work, and I said I’d pay for her day off, and she Apple requested $3,000. Baby, go clock in and bring me an application.” The $3,000 request seems to have left him pretty stunned, to the point where he even seemed to reevaluate his own career path. The comment section on the post turned into a total melting pot of opinions. Some users were quick to defend the woman’s stance, pointing out that taking a day off isn’t always as simple as it sounds. One TikToker noted, “Probably not how much she makes a day but instead a very clear sign that she’s not going to interrupt her work just for a day off with someone.” Another commenter agreed, chiming in, “Because she’s not derailing her career to take a day off.” The cost of living Others were a bit more skeptical or blunt about the request. One person wrote, “Why are people lying about their wages.” Another just questioned the entire premise, seeing it as more of a problem with Rhoades himself, writing, “red flag if a man is asking you to hang out during the work week. Why isn’t he working???” Of course, it should be noted that we only have his perspective, and this post should not be considered as verified fact. The conversation also highlighted how different people value their time based on their salaries. One user shared, “I make about $3800 a day. Want to date an anesthesiologist? lol,” while a former dental hygienist added some perspective by noting, “As a former dental hygienist hourly rate is 58$ an hour that’s about 500$ a day.” It was fascinating to see the beginnings of a wage conversation in the comments section of TikTok. @matt.rh Chopped ♬ original sound – Matt Rhoades Living in a place like Los Angeles, wage expectations are often influenced by the high cost of living. According to Workstream, the current minimum wage in Los Angeles is $16.78 per hour. This figure is the highest minimum wage in California and is adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. While this wage is designed to help workers afford necessities like food and housing, it’s a far cry from the $3,000 request that triggered this viral moment. Per Workstream, the city has a long history of wage increases, moving from $10.50 in 2016 to the current level, and businesses with 25 or more employees must adhere to specific ordinances regarding paid sick leave and family leaves. Even looking at the broader economic picture in the area doesn’t completely shed light on the amount she asked for. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for May 2025 shows that workers in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metropolitan area had an average hourly wage of $37.15. This is notably higher than the nationwide average of $33.54. When you break it down by occupation, the gaps become even more apparent. Per the bureau, occupational groups like legal services saw average hourly wages as high as $85.92, while management roles averaged $77.12. On the flip side, healthcare support roles averaged $19.41, and food preparation and serving-related jobs averaged $20.69. As a result, a waiter recently followed a couple out of an expensive steakhouse to find out why they didn’t tip. The Bureau of Labor Statistics report also noted that office and administrative support roles, food preparation, and healthcare support make up the largest portions of the local workforce. These industries often deal with rigid scheduling, which explains why some commenters focused on the difficulty of taking a day off. One TikToker wrote, “Who is able to just take a day off at the drop of a hat? If I tried that I would need 3000 to, cause I’d be out of a job.” In a different instance, a McDonald’s worker claimed her manager gave her a poor performance review to stall a raise, but social media disagreed. Ultimately, the viral clip serves as a reminder of how differently people view their professional time and the boundaries they set between their careers and their personal lives. Whether the $3,000 figure was an accurate reflection of earnings or a firm way of saying she wasn’t interested in missing work, it certainly got everyone talking.