Four Red Flags to Look out for When Dating

Dating can be an emotional minefield. Putting yourself out there and meeting new people is something that can be fraught with mistakes and even danger. In order to protect yourself emotionally when dating, it’s worth looking out for red flags that show that your potential partner is not actually worth committing to, either sexually or romantically. Red flags are signs that they give off that show that they might be trouble on the road ahead. This guide has been created, to help you know what to look out for. Read on now for everything that you need to know. 

Inability to Listen

Relationships are a two-way street. This means that both sides should be invested if the relationship is to succeed. This mean that your potential partner should be a good listener and be interested in the types of topics that you want to talk about. If they rarely ask questions about you or are constantly talking about themselves, this is a sign that they won’t be that invested in you as a person. In fact, if somebody is simply incapable of listening to you, they may actually be a narcissist. You should learn the signs of a narcissist so you can look out for them. 

They Don’t Want to Call First

If you meet someone on a dating app — like so many millennials and Gen Z people these days — and they only want to go straight for an in-person meet up without video or audio calling first, this could be a huge red flag. While there is nothing wrong with using apps to look for casual sex — popularized on apps such as Tinder and Grindr — if you are looking for a relationship, it’s worth developing a platonic conversation-based conversation before the meet up. If they just want to meet up right away, it’s probably safe to say they are more interested in sex than a proper relationship. 

They Message You Constantly 

The fun of dating for the first time is getting to know people over chat apps. Nonetheless, there can be a limit to the amount of conversation that is healthy. If someone is constantly messaging you, especially at inopportune times like when you are at work, this could be a clear red flag that they are in fact rather needy. Look for someone who is able to spend digital time away every now and then and you will probably be more likely to land in a much healthier relationship. 

Constantly Talking About their Ex

While it might be natural for someone to bring up their ex in a conversation — after all, it is healthy to be forthright about past relationships — you should be on your guard as to how constant this conversation is. If they are always bringing up their ex in conversations about relationships or at moments that seem unrelated, it could be a sign that they are not truly over their previous relationship. As a result, it could be a key red flag that they are not ready to commit to a new one.