Online dating is a great way to meet potential partners and get into meaningful connections. However, it also comes with the risk of careful vetting. If your goal is to get into a long-term relationship, you need to be aware of how to identify red flags of the person that you are trying to connect with. To help you with that, we will share few red flags to watch out for.
Please let it be focused on finding long term relationships and being able to carefully filter and weed out people whose intentions are not long term relationships.
Too Good to Be True Profiles
If someone’s dating profile seems absolutely perfect – they have glamorous photos, claim to make big money, be well-traveled, and have endless impressive hobbies – use caution. While they may truly lead an extraordinary life, catfishing and misrepresentation are real. Ask thoughtful questions to discern fact from fiction.
Love Bombing from the Start
A sure sign someone is not looking for anything serious is if they come on excessively strong right away. Declarations of love, nonstop flattering messages, and talking about a future together can feel great, but are often manipulated to create false intimacy. Good relationships take time to build. Be wary if things get too intense too quickly.
Dodging Personal Questions
Pay attention if their answers about their job, interests, family and past are vague. Everyone has a right to privacy, but persistent dodging of “getting to know you” questions may mean they have something to hide – like a spouse! Pushing for crucial details is important.
Unwillingness to Meet Up
Online interaction is one thing, but a reluctance or series of excuses not to meet up in person is suspicious. Even just a quick coffee date can help determine if you click. Be skeptical of anyone who always has an excuse not to take things offline.
Rude, Critical or Abusive Behavior
One of the easiest ways to spot trouble is how respectfully someone communicates – online and especially in disagreement or conflict. Name-calling, excess sarcasm, cutting people down and outright anger/abusiveness reveal much. Pay very close attention to how politely and kindly a match treats you and others.
Isolation Requests
Predators often seek to isolate their targets from family and friends who might spot red flags they miss. Pay heed if a new love interest subtly or overtly disciples your spending time with loved ones or expresses excessive jealousy about them. Isolation limits perspective and enables control.
Hardcore Partying Profile
For those seeking substance-free relationships, be wary of prospects whose bios and photos feature drug/alcohol references and party scenes as priorities. And take note if heavy drinking or drug use come up frequently in messaging. Your values need alignment.
Financial Requests
It’s entirely inappropriate for someone you’ve just virtually met to hit you up for money for any reason, no matter how convincingly conveyed. Emergency car repairs, medical bills, a rented camera to keep shooting modeling photos – whatever the story, it’s a scam.
Evasiveness About Past Relationships
It’s understandable for someone to carry some baggage about past romantic partnerships. But complete secrecy, overt bitterness or avoiding the topic altogether are concerning. You should know at minimum whether they’ve been married, have kids, or are fresh from a breakup.
Pushiness About Sexual Details/Meetups
A standout priority should be making meaningful connections. While sexual compatibility is important, someone obsessed with explicit sex talk before meeting or aggressively pushing to meet late at night is screaming “hookup only!” Make sure you’re seeking the same thing.
Trusting your gut instincts is crucial when online dating, as is taking the time for thoughtful conversations to determine if values and life visions align. While not every match will be a fit, avoiding dicey prospects by spotting red flags can lead to finding someone truly special. With practical wisdom, you can weed through the questionable to uncover keepers worth building something real with.