we've all been there: we're dating someone and things are going great, until all of a sudden they do something that makes us realise they're not right for us. maybe they start to exhibit possessive behaviour, or they never want to meet our friends and family. these are just a few examples of dating and relationship red flags. if you're aware of these signs before things get too serious, you can avoid heartbreak and wasted time. in this blog post, we'll talk about the most common red flags to look out for in relationships, as well as some tips on how to avoid them.
if you're dating someone and they start to exhibit possessive or jealous behaviour, that's a big red flag. possessiveness and jealousy are often signs of insecurity and can be a major source of conflict in relationships. if your partner is constantly asking you who you're talking to or where you're going, that's a red flag. if they get angry when you talk to other people or go out without them, that's another sign that they're not secure in the relationship. to avoid this particular red flag, try to establish an environment of honesty and openness with your partner, and communicate with them regularly. let them know if you're talking to other people or going out without them, so they don't feel left out or jealous. if they don't (or can't) reciprocate, it might be time to rethink that relationship.
another common red flag is when someone refuses to meet your friends and family. this could be because they're hiding something from you, or because they're not ready for a serious relationship. if your partner consistently makes excuses not to meet your loved ones, that's a red flag. try to get to know their friends and family, and see if they're comfortable meeting them. if not, then there's a chance they're not in it for the right reasons.
finally, if your partner is always putting you down or making you feel bad about yourself, that's a major red flag. a healthy relationship should make you feel good about yourself, not bring you down. if your partner is constantly making negative comments about you, your relationship is not healthy. keep an eye out in the early days to see the sort of language they use, and how they respond to the things you share with them. if it's typically more negative, judgemental or dismissive, it's probably not worth pursuing.
the best way to identify these early on is to meet up with someone. it's much easier to get a feel for someone in person than online. try creating a date somewhere you know you'll have a good time; that way, even if you don't get along, you can still have a good date. (p.s. try the going-on-dates app that lets you lets you match, chat and create great dates. find someone who shares your interests, choose from a curated list of the city’s best date spots and get access to exclusive menus, deals and discounts 🥂)
if you're already dating someone and you see any of these red flags, it's important to take a step back and reassess the relationship. while they're not always indicative of a bad relationship, they are definitely something to be aware of. if you're seeing multiple red flags or your partner doesn't make you happy, it's probably time to move on.
if this post was helpful to you, please share it with your friends and family! and be sure to check out our safety tips for online dating in real life!