Dating App Red Flags
Stay safe out there!
by BRITNEY KIRWAN ★ AUGUST 1, 2021
So you’re back home from college for another month. You’re in your hometown, you have nothing to do, and you’re desperately seeking human interaction. Your quickie solution? Redownload Tinder again to try to fill your time! We’ve all been there; whether you just want a fling or you’re looking for a diamond in the rough, it’s important to keep some red flags in mind while swipe-surging. Red flags don’t have to be perceived in a negative way--think of them just as warning signs that will ultimately help guide you to find someone who is right for you.
Credit: Pinterest
Red Flag #1: His profile says what you should and shouldn’t be
Umm?! Don’t tell me who I need to be for you! We love someone who ~knows what they like,~ but their profile should be about them and only them. Saying that you need to be “funny” or need to be “chill” gives off a picky, negative vibe from the get-go. It’s important to be with someone who will give you free rein to be yourself.
Red Flag #2: He immediately asks you to hang out without getting to know anything about you
This is a red flag for so many reasons. Let’s start with the obvious: hanging out with someone who you have barely had a conversation with could ultimately put your safety in jeopardy. Serial killer energy! Wanting to hang out without asking any questions to get to know you shows that he really doesn’t care about who you are. He’s either desperate to hang out with someone or sees you as someone he can use for the time-being (trust me, you can do better!).
Red Flag #3: No smiling pictures
This is something I always look for. Smiling pictures shows that they’re easy-going and approachable, which means you most likely will have a more fun time with him than with someone that takes himself too seriously. Like, why the long face?! It’s not a LinkedIn profile.
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Red Flag #4: Too many shirtless gym selfies
Don’t get me wrong, I love a guy who takes care of himself and goes to the gym. But if it’s at the point where being a “gym-bro” is his only personality trait and his whole profile is just gym time mirror selfies, then there’s a good chance he’s self-absorbed and won’t make you a priority. These types of photos show that he’s not only “self-impressed,” but that the only thing he has to offer is his six-pack (...and it’s not the kind you drink!).
Red Flag #5: His profile doesn’t have any text
This dating approach is just straight-up LAZY. It shows that he’s not taking it seriously, and if he doesn’t even put in any effort to type one thing about himself, what kind of effort will he put towards you? Even if you’re not looking for anything long-term or serious, it’s important to know basic information without going to great lengths to figure it out (That’s an immediate swipe to the left). The whole point of a dating app is to make getting to know someone easier, and it’s not up to you to be putting in effort that isn’t being reciprocated.
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Like I said before, red flags don’t necessarily have to be seen as a bad thing. Keeping them in mind while using dating apps can help you find people best fit for you and keep you from getting hurt in the long-run. Happy swiping!