Top 10 Dating Red Flags

Dating is expensive. It’s not just the money – it’s the time spent grooming and the investment of all that emotional energy in hoping he’s great and wondering what will happen. And there’s the opportunity cost! Time spent with one guy is time you can’t spend with someone better!

No, your time, money, and beauty products are too valuable to waste on a guy not worth the nail polish you removed in order to match your fingers to your toes.

It’s crucial to develop a sensitive radar that can detect the subtle red flag moments that tell you, “This guy is not worth shaving my legs for.” There are some of the obvious things – he lives with his parents when he’s over the age of 30, his socks don’t match, he talks about his ex all the time, he’s had no relationships that lasted longer than a year, he’s totally self-absorbed, etc etc. But there are some subtler cues I’ve learned to recognize over my years of dating fiascos that I will share with you. I hope my bad dates will help you avoid some of your own:

Dating Red Flag10. When you’re on a date, he talks trash about an ex. It doesn’t matter how much of a bitch she was – good men accept at least some responsibility for every break up and they speak respectfully about other people, no matter what. (Incidentally, check yourself for this one.)

Dating Red Flag 9. He talks trash about his mom. A guy who doesn’t have some respect for his mom, even if she left him on a doorstep, won’t really respect for you. Bad date!

Dating Red Flag 8. He moves in for the kiss way too soon. If he can’t tell that you’re not interested in all that yet, he will never be able to tell what you’re interested in.

Dating Red Flag 7. He never moves in for the kiss. If you’re ready, willing, and able, and he isn’t reading the signals, he’ll never be able to read the signals.