Love + Sex

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Dating Diaries: Ten Dating Red Flags

When determining if you should let things get serious,remember: actions speak louderthan words. With that being said,here are ten dating red flags. Ifyou see any of these, do yourself a favor and reconsider if it's worth it foryou:

1. You Are Noton the VIP List For Breaking News

Were you the last to learn about this person's job promotionor newborn niece or nephew? Oncethings are serious, you should be among the first to know about exciting news,or bad news.

2. They AvoidMeeting Your Family or Friends

If they are shying away from meeting your friends/familyconsistently, then there are problems. Even if they are very shy, they should want to meet those who areimportant to you.

3. They Don'tMake Any Sacrifices

Healthy relationships don't require bending over backwardsall the time, but a certain amount of sacrifice is necessaryin a selflessunion. When two of my friendsfirst started dating one another, she demanded that he go to Farm Aid for herbirthday, which was also the opening NFL football Sunday. While all the guys gathered to watchthe games, he was sweltering on some field attending Farm Aid-an event he neverwould have gone to if she hadn't of invited him. Now that's sacrifice.

Farmaid

http://www.weblo.com/domain/available/bdfarm.com/

4. They Can'tFit In Your Future

I admit it. When I meet girls, I envision future moments I may some day share withthem. Most of my scenarios are herwith my family and I at a Christmas holiday, or at a summer crabfeast. If I'm really into her, I usuallyrelish the thought. If not, Ikinda cringe.

5. They Are TooControlling

It's scary but I've seen many relationships where guysforbid girls to hang out with certain friends, or wear certain clothes. Major problem if someone is controllingyou and not allowing you to be who you want to be within a relationship.

6. The "WhatAre We" Conversation Fails Miserably

Almost every relationship hits that crossroads where youboth decide if it's worth taking the plunge into being exclusiveand callingeach other boyfriend/girlfriend. If they are confused and surprised that you're ready to get serious, thetiming is not right, and you should try to figure out how long you want to waitaround until they are ready.

7. They Talk About Plans That Don't Involve You

My sister has major wanderlust. She's always talking about heading off to Chicago or livingin London for a year. She oftentalks about these things with no regard for the fact that she has a boyfriendat the time. If you find thatsomeone is making plans or talking about far off places without inviting youalong for the ride, don't let yourself get too into them.

London

http://www.abroad.pitt.edu/pittinlondon/fall2008.html

8. Your Friendsof Family Don't Like Them

Remember that your friends and family know you best. Don't take their thoughts with a grainof salt. It's one thing if aperson or two don't get along with your significant other, but if a lot of themare saying you should reconsider, then do it. Unfortunately, we often find out about how much our friendshated that person after this person is gone.

9. TheyViolated Your Trust

Whether it's cheating or a little liethat they got caughtin, it will be hard to regain trust. Trust is something we don't' give away easily and once it's gone it'shard to get it back. We'll alwaysbe wondering about that lie, and doubt will creep in more and more as our mindsfixate on that lie. Too often,people take trust for granted and once they lose it they never get it back.

10. YouPractice "Unbalanced Dating"

Are you always seeing his friends or doing things that hewants to do? Do you just let him pickthe restaurants, and events? Or isit the other way around? Relationships are fun when you are both able contribute. If you're not taking turns creating funtimes together, it will most likely fizzle out.

What would you add to the list? Ever been a victim of any of these red flags?


Posted by Rich

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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 64
  • salsa's Avatar
    Posted by salsa Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:05pm PDT

    Thats the kind of relationship that im in right now and you know whats sad is that I have been in this relationship if thats what its called for three years. It started out horrible then it got nice and after a year and a half it got even worse. Now when I try to leave him alone he gets all physical and emotionally abusive and its like OMG what do I do. I have changed alot of things for him and its like I am never good enough for him and that really messes with me mentally because I am so confussed. I mean the emotional abuse is by far worse than the physical because it has messed my mind up literally. One day I pray that things will change

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  • Mia's Avatar
    Posted by Mia Thu Sep 18, 2008 12:08am PDT

    abigail, he will never change. Take it from a daughter of someone just like that. My mom met my dad and they got married after a short 6 months. He was also emotionally and verbally abusive towards her and after she finally kicked him out, he turned his abuse toward me and my sister. Do youself and your future children, get out now. Its been almost 10 years since I've talked to my father but the abuse he has done to me has scarred me forever. My mother almost died because of him and I almost commmited suicide because of him. Please, even if it means moving to another city even another country, get out now before its too late. And whatever you do, dont get married to him. Make a plan to get out and do it now. The only thing that can change for the better is if you leave.

    Report Abuse
  • KWEEN's Avatar
    Posted by KWEEN Thu Sep 18, 2008 3:30am PDT

    happy is absolutely right! i dito everything she says; i was a wife and mother also in an abusive relationship. the marriage lasted 13 years waiting for him to change and it gotten worst. it took our son to convince me to leave his father. although it has been 9 months since i have left him, he stills tries to control me and make me come back to him. i know that if i am to go on with my life that means to date again; i will have to move to another part of the country. you must run, pack your things and go. have nothing else to do with him you deserve a whole lot better!!!

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  • Marc's Avatar
    Posted by Marc Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:35am PDT

    This is HILARIOUS...because you are soooo right. I'm a 23 year old male (who loves your blog, btw)...most of the things you say are dead on. I recently broke it off with a girl who seemed like she didn't want to get serious. (And after doing some reflecting...I don't think I really wanted her, as much as I originally thought I did, lol)

    And I can go down this list, and we experienced SEVERAL of these red flags....LMAO

    1) Not On VIP List For Breaking News - she had recently been fired from her job, and her dad was admitted into the hospital...when did I find out? 4 weeks later....lol.

    2) Avoid Meeting Friends and Family - although we had met each others parents (b/c we have been friends since high school)...she never introduced me to them as more than just "a friend from high school"

    4) Can't Fit Into My Future - Being truthful, I couldn't see myself with her later in life. Married? Oh hell no...LOL. I don't think we were on the same level in many ways (socially, economically, intellectually). She was just convenient and very available. Now that I think about it....I want more for myself.

    8) Friends and Family Don't Like Her - Yep....although I never told my mom I was thinking about getting serious with her. I could tell that she KNEW she wasn't the one for me. Usually I would tell my parents to mind their business, lol....but I had a nagging feeling my mom was right (even though I didn't want to admit it).

    10) Unbalanced Dating - we pretty much did what she wanted to do, most of the time. And if we did something I wanted to do....she didn't enjoy herself.

    To sum it up...it was a travesty, LOL.....and I regret dating her. Now I've lost a potential mate and long-term friend.

    Maybe you should do a blog next on long-term friends dating...but this did NOT end on a good note...and it sucks (mainly b/c I lost a friend too).

    But like you said in one of your other blogs...."its time to ride off into the sunset"...lol. I haven't talked or texted her in the last couple of months. I guess that's just the way it goes....

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  • JD's Avatar
    Posted by JD Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:43pm PDT

    Don't forget, if she has children and they're in sports and she's running around with them and never invites you to be with them, especially when she know's you have the day off and would like to be with her and the kids to help out. I had to ask if I could go meet up with her at the ball games instead of her asking me if I want to go and be with kids and her. We had been seeing each other for 2 months.

    Report Abuse
  • mycoga's Avatar
    Posted by mycoga Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:58pm PDT

    Wow!!!

    Report Abuse
  • michelleb's Avatar
    Posted by michelleb Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:05pm PDT

    Talk about hittin' the nail on the head!!! I'm going on the third year! Everything was all beaches and palm trees when we first got together. I had my own place, he had his...he invited me and my kids(at the time 12 and 2) to move in with him! That was mistake No. 1! I should have listened to my gut instincts! It took me over a month to move in...I was takin' my time! He's come from a long line of screwed up relationships (cheating, cheating, cheating! Lying, lying, lying!) In three years he's been to 1, one, uno of my family get-togethers. I've been to a billion dozen of his! And the one family get-together of mine that he went to, he "sacrificed" 2 days of "his" vacation for! F@#k...please!! He's self-centered, but by no means is he selfish! At this point, I think we're an episode of Dr. Phil waiting to happen!

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  • Eskimo's Avatar
    Posted by Eskimo Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:09pm PDT

    I recomend you watch out for the communication aspect! Its widley said men dont communicate well thats just wrong, after 13 years of marriage I cant communicate with my wife. she is so aggressive and abrasive! sad part is all the signs were there before we married I was just to naieve to see it! this is very important because It can ruin your relation ship as it has mine!

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  • KamekoE's Avatar
    Posted by KamekoE Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:14pm PDT

    my bf and i have been going out for about a year now, and its been kind of difficult because we are in a long distance relationship. and we've had our differences but not enough to make me want to break it off.

    but one thing he does is that he hates it when i hang out with some of my guy friends (who are gay or bi- btw). and sometimes i feel like hes trying to control who my friends are.

    could somebody tell me if this is normal, bc hes so far away, or should i be worrying???

    Report Abuse
  • SIA's Avatar
    Posted by SIA Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:21pm PDT

    well I am a bi/lesbian- broke it off with last gf - yes she was cute funny friendly - I met her family- etc but she was a heavy drinker and into drugs-and I honestly could not stay with someone who was so self-destructive. Still love ex from years ago but he is long gone and preferred to ignore me/watch tv.

    At this point - I think I am better off alone. I am talking to someone new and just trying to keep things light- not get too involved too fast. I have dated controlling types in the past and YES they are a scary nightmare.

    Report Abuse
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