Although I believe in approaching dating with an open mind (because really, you never know who you’ll fall in love with) there are some things that are completely non-negotiable. Here are some of our top deal-breakers, as told by GIFs of course.
1. They don’t understand the concept of personal space.
It’s totally cool to want to spend as much time together as possible – especially when you’re in the honeymoon stage of dating. However, if you constantly feel like you’re being smothered and can’t get a moment alone, that’s not good. A healthy relationship requires a bit of autonomy in order to make it work.
2. You have nothing to talk about.
You can’t fake a good connection with someone. If conversation is perpetually awkward or you’ve been on a few dates and the only thing you talked about was the weather, walk away. If there is no mental connection from the get-go, it isn’t going to suddenly materialize later down the road.
3. Your date totally creeps you out.
One minute you’re getting to know each other over margaritas, the next they’re admitting to you that they sleep in the same bed as their mother or they were that guy in the headline “Man robs convenience store in Barney costume before setting it on fire.” Either way, if your gut tells you that this person is a potential serial killer, trust it.
4. You feel like you can’t be yourself around them.
Do you feel uncomfortable around them? Do you feel like you can’t open up about your real interests and are instead trying to fit in to what you think they want in a date? Guess what – that’s a deal breaker. The best connections are the ones that happen naturally and when you’re being yourself.
5. They do really inappropriate things in public.
If someone hasn’t learned by now that yelling at cabbies, making off colour jokes in front of children or telling your parents “Yeah, your son/daughter is great in bed!” is wildly inappropriate, they probably never will. Move on.
6. The relationship seems totally one-sided.
Are you always the one calling them, making plans and initiating dates? Do you feel like they only talk about themselves without asking you any questions about yourself? Relationships are a two-way street with lots of give and take. If you don’t feel like this is happening, it might be time to move on.
7. The sex is bad. Very, very bad.
Another thing you can’t fake is physical chemistry. Although the sex can definitely get better as the relationship grows, if the thought of getting busy with your partner makes you recoil, consider this a deal breaker.
8. They can’t stop talking about their ex.
If you feel like you’re in a relationship with the person you’re dating AND their ex, it’s time to walk away – at least until they’re able to get over whatever happened before they met you.
9. You periodically catch them in small “white lies.”
Even if the lies seem inconsequential at the time, small lies can turn into bigger lies. Dishonesty of any kind is a major red flag.
10. Hanging out with them makes you feel like this…
Dating is meant to be fun. If hanging out with the person fills you with a sense of dread, it’s time to call it quits.
What are some of your dating deal breakers?
