In the context of dating, a red flag is a warning sign that the person you are dating is not right for you. Some common dating red flags include disrespectful or rude behavior, lying or being secretive, not being able to handle conflict or disagreements, controlling or manipulative behavior, abuse, and addictions. These warning signs can be an indication of future problems and difficulties in the relationship.
If you’re concerned about a red flag you’ve seen, it’s essential to talk to your partner about it and see if they’re willing to change or address the issue. If not, it may be best to move on.
19 dating red flags
A dating red flag refers to a warning sign or signal that might indicate that the person you are seeing might not be someone you should continue to date.
Here are some of the major dating red flags you should look into when you start to date someone casually or exclusively.
1. Introduced you to others as a friend only.
This could mean that they’re not ready to commit to a relationship, or that they’re not interested in you romantically. Either way, it’s not a good sign. If you’re looking for a committed relationship, it’s best to move on to someone interested in you similarly.
2. Talks about his ex all the time and compares you to them.
When someone is constantly talking about their ex, it can be a major dating red flag. This is because it can indicate that the person is still not over their previous relationship.
It can also make their current partner feel like they are always being compared to the ex. This can be a very frustrating and emotionally draining experience. It may be best to move on to someone who is more emotionally available.
3. Never introduced you to his family.
If someone you’re dating has never introduced you to his family, it may be a red flag that he’s not serious about you. It could also mean that he’s embarrassed by you or that he doesn’t think you’re good enough for his family.
Either way, it’s not a good sign. If you’re serious about the relationship, you should talk to him about it.
4. Always wants to do things his way.
It’s a dating red flag if someone always wants to do things his way. This could be a sign that he’s controlling, inflexible, and not willing to compromise.
If you’re always having to do things his way, likely, you’ll never truly be able to be yourself in the relationship. You may always feel like you have to conform to his wishes and preferences, and that’s not healthy or sustainable in the long run.
If you’re looking for a partner who will accept and love you for who you are, it’s best to move on from someone who always wants things his way.
5. Doesn’t respect your feelings and rights
If someone doesn’t respect your feelings and rights, it’s a red flag. You should feel respected in a healthy relationship and your partner should be considerate of your feelings.
If they’re not, it’s a sign that they’re not interested in a healthy, respectful relationship.
6. Always critical of you.
If someone is always critical of you, it’s a dating red flag. This person is likely to be negative and judgmental, and they’re probably not going to be very fun to be around.
Try to communicate with your date on this, and if he/she is unwilling to change, then it’s best to leave the disempowering relationship where you have to live under constant denial.
7. Always being jealous.
If you’re always having to reassure your partner that you’re not interested in other people, it can be a sign that they don’t trust you. This can be a major problem in a relationship, as it can lead to arguments, mistrust, and even violence.
If you’re dating someone who is always jealous, it’s important to have a serious talk about trust and respect. If they can’t trust you, it’s not a healthy relationship.
8. Being abusive: physically, emotionally, or mentally.
Abusive behavior is a major dating red flag. No one deserves to be mistreated, whether it’s through physical, emotional, or mental abuse.
If your partner is exhibiting any signs of abuse, it’s important to get out of the relationship as soon as possible. Abusive behavior rarely gets better over time, and it’s important to protect yourself from further harm.
9. Has addiction problems.
If your date has addiction problems, it’s a major red flag. Addiction can lead to all sorts of problems, including job loss, financial problems, and relationship problems. It can also be a major drain on your time and energy.
If your date is addicted to drugs or alcohol, it’s important to get help or get out of the relationship.
10. Takes everything you said as a personal attack.
When you’re dating someone and they take everything you say as a personal attack, it’s a major red flag. This person is insecure and has a lot of unresolved issues. They’re looking for someone to blame for their problems, and you don’t want to be that person.
This kind of person is also very defensive, so it’s hard to have a productive conversation with them. You’re better off finding someone who is less sensitive and more confident.
11. Always making promises he can’t keep.
If someone is always making promises they can’t keep, it means that he/she is likely to be unreliable, and may not be able to follow through on their commitments.
If this is a consistent problem, it may be best to move on because you will never be secure being together with someone unreliable.
12. Never takes responsibility for his actions.
If someone never takes responsibility for his actions, he/she is likely to be immature and irresponsible, which are not qualities you want in a partner. This person is also likely to be unreliable and to make excuses for his bad behavior.
If you are dating someone who never takes responsibility for his actions, you should be prepared for a lot of frustration and drama.
13. Always making you feel inferior.
If your partner is always making you feel inferior and you are the problem in the relationship, it’s a red flag. This is because feeling inferior is not a healthy or sustainable emotion in a relationship. feeling inferior can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression.
If your partner is constantly making you feel inferior, it’s time to have a conversation about it or consider ending the relationship.
14. Takes forever to respond to your texts or he doesn’t respond to them at all.
People make time for those they care about. So, If your partner takes forever to respond to your texts, or doesn’t respond to them at all, it’s a major red flag.
It could mean they’re not interested in you, they are bad at communication, or they do not think you are important enough. Either way, it’s not a good sign.
15. Always wants to keep things “casual” and doesn’t want to commit to anything.
When someone always wants to keep things “casual” and doesn’t want to commit to anything, it’s a dating red flag. This person is not interested in a serious relationship and is probably just looking for something physical and/or short-term.
If you’re looking for something more long-term and committed, then it’s best to move on and find someone who is on the same page as you.
16. Always flirting with other girls, even when he’s with you.
If you’re with someone who is always flirting with other girls even when you’re together, it’s a definite dating red flag. This behavior indicates that your partner is not interested in being faithful to you, and is instead more interested in playing the field.
Not only is this disrespectful, but it can also be emotionally damaging to you as well.
If you’re in a relationship with someone who can’t seem to stay away from other women, it’s time to have a serious conversation about what you both want and expect from the relationship.
17. Does not include you in their plan.
It’s a red flag if someone you’re dating doesn’t include you in their plans. This could mean that they’re not serious about the relationship, or that they don’t see it lasting very long. Either way, it’s not a good sign.
If your partner isn’t including you in their plans for the future, it’s best to have a talk with them about what you want and where you see things going. Otherwise, you might find yourself getting hurt down the road.
18. Manipulative and always tries to control your actions and decisions.
If someone you’re dating is constantly trying to control your actions and decisions, it’s a major red flag. This person is likely manipulative and always looking to get their way, regardless of who it might hurt.
A healthy relationship should be built on trust and mutual respect, not control and manipulation. If you find yourself constantly having to justify your actions or choices to your partner, it’s time to reevaluate the relationship.
19. Can’t handle conflict or disagreement maturely.
It is a red flag if someone you are dating can’t handle conflict or disagreement maturely. It could be a sign that they aren’t ready for a serious relationship, or that they don’t know how to communicate effectively.
If you’re always the one who has to smooth things over when there’s an argument, it’s going to get tiresome fast. You deserve somebody who can be honest and open with you without resorting to name-calling or sulking.
Major dating red flags in a guy
When it comes to dating, everyone has different deal breakers and qualities that they are looking for in a partner. However, some major dating red flags can indicate that a guy is not worth your time.
One major dating red flag is if a guy is constantly talking about himself and doesn’t seem interested in learning more about you. This can be a sign of narcissism or simply being self-absorbed, neither of which are qualities you want in a partner.
Another red flag is if a guy is always making excuses for his bad behavior or trying to gaslight you into thinking that you’re the one who’s being unreasonable. For example, if he’s constantly canceling plans or flaking on you, he might try to say that it’s because you’re “too demanding” or “too needy.
Lastly, it is also a major dating red flag if the guy always flirts with another woman despite already being in a relationship with you. This is a bad early sign of cheating, and being with this kind of guy will make you feel worthless and insecure.
Major dating red flags in a woman
There are many red flags to watch out for when dating someone new, but some are more major than others. Here are three of the biggest red flags to look out for in a woman:
When it comes to dating, everyone has different preferences and standards. However, some major red flags should send up a warning sign for any man who is considering pursuing a woman.
One major dating red flag is if the woman is constantly talking about her ex. This can be a sign that she’s not over him and that she’s still hung up on him. It can also be a sign that she’s not ready to move on and start a new relationship.
Another red flag in a woman is she always trying to control everything. This includes trying to control the conversation, what you do, where you go, etc. This type of behavior can be very off-putting and it’s usually a sign that the woman is insecure and doesn’t trust you.
Lastly, another big red flag is when a woman always takes everything you said as a personal attack. This could be a sign that your partner is insecure and overly sensitive, and it’s not healthy for either of you. If you’re always walking on eggshells around your partner, it’s time to have a serious conversation about what’s going on.