Navigating the world of dating can sometimes feel like a tricky maze. It can be hard to tell if someone is right for you or not. So, we’ve come up with the top 11 red flags in dating that you need to know. These signs will help you know if something’s fishy in your relationship.
They’re Super Secretive
You know how in those spy movies, the main character has a secret life nobody knows about? Well, if your date seems to be acting like that, it’s a red flag! It’s totally okay for people to keep some things to themselves, but if your partner is always hiding their phone or doesn’t want to hang out with you around other people, something might be off. It’s like playing hide and seek, but not in a fun way. Trust and being able to share things with each other are really important in a relationship. So, if they’re acting super secretive all the time, it might be time to ask them what’s going on.
They’re Mean to Others
Ever noticed how some people can be real bullies? Like, they’re all bossy and rude to people like the waiter at the restaurant, the guy driving the bus, or even their own brothers and sisters. If your date is acting like a meanie pants to other people, that’s like a big, flashing neon sign saying “Red Flag!”. Being nice is super-duper important, and you don’t want to hang out with someone who’s a big sourpuss to others. So, keep your eyes wide open, and if your date’s being a grumpy grouch to others, it might be time to rethink things. After all, who wants to be around a big meanie all the time, right?
They Don’t Respect Your Boundaries
Imagine you’re playing a game of tag at recess and there’s a line that you’re not supposed to cross. But someone keeps crossing it, even after you’ve told them not to. That’s kinda like dating someone who doesn’t respect your boundaries. Everyone has their own set of rules and lines they don’t like to cross. Like maybe you don’t like sharing your fries, or you need some quiet time to read your favorite comic book. If the person you’re dating keeps trying to take your fries or interrupts your reading time, even after you’ve told them you don’t like it, that’s a big red flag! It’s like they’re not listening or don’t care about your rules. And that’s not cool. Everyone deserves respect, especially when it comes to their own personal boundaries. So, if your date is acting like the kid who keeps crossing the line in tag, it might be time to think twice about them.
They Try to Control You
You know how in a puppet show, the puppeteer makes the puppet dance, talk, and move around? It’s fun to watch in a show, but it’s not fun if someone tries to do that to you in real life. If your date acts like a puppet master, always telling you what you should do, how you should dress, or even what you should say, that’s like a big, honking red flag! Just like you, your date is not a puppeteer and you’re not a puppet. You’re a person with your own thoughts, feelings, and style! You should be free to be yourself, not someone else’s idea of who you should be. So, if your date keeps trying to pull your strings and make you dance to their tune, remember: You’re not a puppet, and it might be time to cut those strings.
They Don’t Listen to You
Have you ever tried to tell a really cool story and the other person just didn’t seem interested? Like they were more interested in picking their nose or looking at a squirrel outside? That’s what it’s like when you’re dating someone who doesn’t listen to you. It’s super frustrating and a bit like talking to a brick wall! If your date is always blabbering about themselves, their awesome superhero comic collection, or the big soccer game coming up, and never even takes a quick moment to hear about your day or your super cool rock collection, that’s a big red flag! A real relationship is like a walkie-talkie, both people get to talk and both people get to listen. If your date is hogging all the talking time, it’s like they’re keeping the walkie-talkie all to themselves. And that’s just not fair! So, if your date doesn’t listen to you, it’s time to tell them to hand over the walkie-talkie or find someone who will.
They’re Always Negative
Ever had a friend who always seems to be in a grumpy mood and complains about everything? Like, they get a big, delicious ice cream cone and they still complain because it’s vanilla and not chocolate? Well, if your date is always acting like that and being a Negative Nancy all the time, that’s a big red flag! Dating is supposed to be like a fun rollercoaster ride, not like waiting in a really long, boring line. It should be full of happy times and fun adventures, not constant complaints and whining. Imagine being on a cool, awesome field trip but your partner just keeps complaining about how they wish they were at home playing video games. That’s a total bummer! Nobody wants to hang out with a party pooper. So, if your date is always looking at the bad side of things and never the good, it’s like they’re always bringing rain clouds to your sunny day. And that’s not cool. So, remember, if your date is a constant grump, it might be time to look for someone who knows how to have a good time.
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No effort to meet or talk on the phone
Ever tried to play catch with someone, but they never throw the ball back? That’s what it’s like when you’re dating someone who never puts in any effort to meet or talk on the phone. Like, you keep throwing the ball, hoping they’ll catch it and throw it back, but they just let it drop. You might keep inviting them to your soccer game or try to set up a phone chat after school, but they always seem too busy or they just forget. That’s a big, bright red flag! It’s like they’re not even trying to play catch with you. Everyone deserves a fair game, where both players are throwing and catching. So, if your date is always dropping the ball and never throwing it back, it might be time to find someone who actually wants to play. After all, catch is way more fun when the other person is actually trying to catch and throw the ball!
They’re Quick to Anger
You know how in a superhero movie, the villain often gets mad super fast and starts blowing stuff up? That’s like dating someone who gets angry real quick. It’s okay to get mad sometimes, everyone does. But if your date is like a ticking time bomb that goes off at the smallest things, like maybe you were a bit late or didn’t text them back right away, that’s a huge red flag! It’s like they’re always ready to huff and puff and blow your house down. You should feel like you’re in a safe and comfy space when you’re with your date, not like you’re walking on eggshells or playing a game of hot potato with a grenade. So if your date’s temper is always on a short fuse, remember: You’re not a villain in a superhero movie, and you don’t deserve to be shouted at or scared. So, it might be time to find a new superhero to hang out with, one who knows how to keep their cool.
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They Have No Ambitions
Imagine if you were on a team and one of your teammates didn’t want to play or score any goals. Kinda weird, right? Well, it’s the same with dating. If your date doesn’t have any dreams or goals, like maybe they want to be the best soccer player or the next top chef, that’s a big red flag! It’s like they’re a kite without any wind, just lying there on the ground, not wanting to fly. Everybody should have something they’re excited about, something they want to achieve. Like how you might want to be the best at spelling or be able to do a super cool cartwheel. If your date doesn’t have any ambitions or dreams, it’s like they’re missing their very own superhero cape. And every superhero needs a cape, right? So, if your date doesn’t have any goals, it might be time to find someone who does. After all, it’s more fun to fly a kite when there’s wind!
They’re Overly Jealous
Ever had a friend who got really mad when you played with someone else at recess, even when you’re allowed to play with whoever you want? That’s what it’s like dating someone who gets overly jealous. Like, if your date gets all grumpy or upset every time you hang out with other people or if they want you to spend all your time with them and no one else, that’s like a big, glaring red flag! It’s kind of like they’re a dragon guarding their treasure, but you’re not a treasure, you’re a person! And people should be free to hang out with other people. So, if your date acts like a jealous dragon, it’s time to remind them that you’re not a treasure to be guarded, you’re a friend who can hang out with other friends too.
They Always Play the Victim
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You know how in a game of dodgeball, there’s always that one kid who gets hit and instead of admitting they’re out, they always say it wasn’t a fair hit or the ball was too fast? That’s what it’s like dating someone who always plays the victim. Like, they always have an excuse or a reason why it’s never their fault. Maybe they forgot your birthday and instead of saying sorry, they say it’s because their dog ate the reminder note. That’s a huge red flag! Everyone messes up sometimes, it’s part of being human. But, it’s super important to say “oops, my bad” when you’re the one who goofed up. It’s like being a good sport in dodgeball, you gotta admit when you’re out. So, if your date is acting like the kid who never admits when they’re out in dodgeball, it might be time to find someone who knows how to play the game fair and square.
