28 Types Of People Folks Have Dated That Felt Like Walking Through A Red Flag Factory
The modern dating game can be a bit of a rollercoaster. While dating apps make it easier than ever before to search for your ideal partner, they’re also rife with people putting up a front, serial daters, and those just “keeping their options open.”
One person recently turned to the internet to ask, “What’s one 'type' you’ll never date again?” and netizens were only too happy to share their less-than-ideal experiences with past partners. Here’s our collection of the kinds of dates it’s probably best to avoid.
More info: Reddit
This post may include affiliate links.
Anyone who calls themselves an influencer.
They think they want a girlfriend but actually want a Mom.
According to virtually all AITA posts this type is surprisingly common.
I really don't have any issue with this. I love children waaaaay more than grownnups
The “constantly in a crisis but never does anything to fix it” type.
When it comes to dating, everyone has their deal-breakers. But sometimes, it takes a truly disastrous relationship to realize which types of people are a hard "never again." A viral Reddit thread asked users to share the type of person they’ll never date again, and the responses range from hilarious to downright terrifying.
The interesting thing is that you can tell a lot about a potential partner right from the first date. In her article for Business Insider, Lindsay Dodgson lists several red flags to look out for on a first date that could suggest someone isn’t right for you—or could even be toxic.
Someone who doesn’t want to communicate when something is bothering them.
Addicted to social media and selfies.
Alcoholic.
My ex whom I told to kick rocks after he drank when I told him I would if he did, now lives with his enabler dad who buys him booze and d r u g s. He posts the most insane c**p on his Facebook. He now has alcohol induced psychosis and alcohol induced epilepsy, along with liver failure. He's drinking himself to d-e-a-t-h. I have no sympathy for him, he's not long for this world and he did it to himself.
I continue to be astonished at how long it took my twenty-something self to learn this lesson!
I knew for a very long time that I was an alcoholic, I just didn't care. Finally got sober in 2011.
Load More Replies...Yes. For sure. I had a friend whose father was an alcoholic. I’ve treated a*******n for much of my adult life. We could walk into a dating scene and she would immediately be drawn to the ruddy guy who looked like he had portal hypertension from cirrhosis. What about him? She’d say. He’s an alcoholic I’d say. I could spot these severely alcoholic guys from a mile off bc they’d be puffy with ruddy coloring. That was her type. Alcoholic so severe he’s got portal hypertension.
Load More Replies...According to Dodgson, things to look out for include them being late but not telling you, wanting to meet somewhere that makes you uncomfortable, being rude to the waiter, aggressively romantic gestures, a lack of respect for your boundaries, and any behavior suggesting control issues.
"People tend to present their best self initially so if any of these behaviors or traits manifest early on, it is important to pay attention," says relationship coach Susan Trotter. "It is likely that these issues won't change and in fact, will likely worsen and become toxic over time," adds Trotter.
"I'm a princess" or "call me queen."
"There is this to be said in favour of the despot, that he, being an individual, may have culture, while the mob, being a monster, has none. One who is an Emperor and King may stoop down to pick up a brush for a painter, but when the democracy stoops down it is merely to throw mud." (Oscar Wilde). - I have never felt the truth of these words as of lately
Load More Replies..."I'm not a princess, I am a Khaleesi" (destroying everything with a flamethrower)
Anyone with substance abuse issues. Done that twice, never again.
“Intellectuals” who never admit they’re wrong about anything.
In her article for Psychology Today, Theresa DiDonato writes that having a "type" suggests we sort through available potential partners, prioritizing some over others in a way that shows some consistency. It also suggests that the kinds of people who are willing to date us might be a group of people with shared characteristics.
According to DiDonato, in some ways, a familiar-but-different person as a dating partner could foster a feeling of comfort and closeness. It might take less time to feel like you know the person. You also might already have ways of managing a certain personality pattern, having worked out the quirks in a previous relationship.
The type that weaponise their incompetence when it comes to basic house chores. It was exhausting.
I don't care about him not doing chores as long as he is bringing the necessary money. This way the house looks exactly like I want to, and I'm sure things are done properly, and I don't have to wonder if someone else would do a mediocre work. As long as he contributes with enough money, I can't care less about him doing chores.
First time I hear the word “poly” I’m out the f****n door. Nope nope nope. Go find someone else’s time to waste that isn’t going to be loyal anyway.
Why is there such a hate of poly people nowadays ?? If this type of relationship isn't for you then it's perfectly fine, but why such insane disrespect ? Poly relationships have always existed but since a couple months there is such a climb in the hate...
I may only see the disasters. But I see them over and over again. I have one patient who’s done very well in a poly relationship with a non-bianary partner. More stable than I’ve ever seen her. They get engaged. Boom, partner isn’t sure my patient is what she wants. Very hurtful. Not being able to pick is a sign that you- here’s a thought- might not be able to pick.
Load More Replies...
The ones with super anger problems.
But ignores women because they are " emotional and irrational"...as if anger weren't an emotion
Well, opinions are a mirror that only reflects the one who holds them...
Load More Replies...Some people don’t just swear off a type, they turn their backs on dating altogether. In his article for Forbes, Mark Travers writes that societal standards sometimes leave singles feeling like social pariahs, but the truth is that there are many people for whom singlehood is a conscious choice. It works better for them, just as marriage and parenting work better for others.
Research suggests the preference for singlehood is more common than we might think. According to some estimates, approximately half of adults find it difficult to be in long-term intimate relationships, so they spend considerable amounts of time being single. One study even shows that having a job is, in fact, more important to our life satisfaction than being in a relationship or married. Who knew?
Married. Had no idea until his wife reached out to me after the fact….
This one’s dumb. Sure, if you know he/she is married, then don’t date them. But, how are you supposed to know they’re married when they deliberately don’t tell you or actually say they aren’t? I don’t think you’re going to successfully avoid dating a married liar unless someone else warns you.
Someone who only sees the negative and bad in life and refuses to change their mind set. It is really mentally draining on both people.
Are we talking the water isn't wet enough type or the might as well give up, we've already failed type?
Thugs and wannabe thugs.
If your mom still drives you to school you ain't no gangster, pull your pants up! - Jeff Foxworthy
Well, hopefully by now you have a better idea of the walking red flags you should try to skip the next time you venture out into the wild world of dating. Who knows? It might help you dodge a bullet and save yourself a world of hurt.
So, do you have a type you’ve sworn off dating ever again? Or one that even put you off dating for good? Have a look through the cases in this list, upvote your worst, and don’t forget to leave a comment if you can relate!
The gym bro who made everything about fitness. Don't get me wrong, I love staying healthy, but I don't need a lecture about my macros while I'm enjoying my birthday cake. Last straw was when he tried to turn our date night into a couples workout session.
Those joylessly frugal “retire early by depriving yourself of every minuscule joy in life and holding onto every last penny” people. I’d rather work till I’m 75 than retire at 40 and spend the remaining decades of my life using the gross non-dentist accredited toothpaste and taking flights with 4 layovers because it’s $100 cheaper. Nobody ever got rich clipping coupons.
If you really believe that "dentist-approved" toothpastes, i.e. the ones that are heavily advertised, pushing up their price, are better than store brands then you seriously need to get a grip. Being frugal like that is no bad thing; personally I'd avoid anyone who insisted that they only ever used brand name products that cost a lot more.
I don't mind being thrifty. capitalism and overexepending kills my soul
If you only find joy spending l think *l* wouldn't want to date you
The insanely insecure.
A man who is impulsive and hyperactive. These folks are fun to hang out with from time to time but when their mood sours they have no control of emotions.
I suppose this was written by either a heterosexual woman or a homosexual man…
Load More Replies...
Anyone without hobbies or interests of their own. I do not want to be any mans hobby/project.
Entrepreneurs.
Dated a girl who owned her own business. It wasn't her busyness that bothered me, I liked that. It wasn't her independence, that was great. It wasn't her strong character, that was commendable.
It was the fact that she believed the sun shone out of her a*s because she owned her own company and the rest of us were just brokey wage slaves who simply did not have the drive that she had. She believed that she was more disciplined, more driven, more intelligent and overall a superior person to all others just because she had her own business. Those of us who sought after regular employment were simply not as successful or driven as her.
I now earn more in my corporate job per month than she did in her busiest months.
I think you meant " Boss Babe" or "Girl Boss" not actual entrepreneurs
I had to look up the term. My boss has a "Girl Boss" sticker on a pencil case. She's actually quite lovely. I suspect she views the term as either meaning "a very girlish woman who runs a lovely team" or it's just tongue-in-cheek.
Load More Replies...
Dudes named Matt. Matts, I’ve had enough.
ADHD with borderline disorder.
Ok this is not a type. This is a category of people with neurodivergence and mental illness. Don't assume everyone who fits this category is bad or not fit for a relationship
No offense but I‘d never date someone with borderline disorder. While I do believe that everyone deserves love I don’t want to sacrifice myself for an unstable partner. It’s hard and maybe mean but I have to look out for myself too.
Load More Replies...
Horse girls.
Having a horse is like taking care of a 3 year old for 25 years. Yes, they have other priorities.
Some of these are not types. This is a weird blanket hatred of anyone who owns a horse and is female...
But as a woman I get why some men don’t want to date „horse girls“. The ones I know who are really into horses spend so much time and money on them. I myself wouldn’t tolerate this in a relationship. I know a family with kids that is always on the brink of bankruptcy because the wife refuses to give up at least one of her three horses. But of course not all horse lovers are the same and I‘m sure there are reasonable ones as well.
Load More Replies...Two more - cringy/clingy types ("you're so pretty, I'm so lucky to have you, please don't ever leave me"); and people who insist they know what you are thinking even though they don't have a clue.
I’m thinking I may stop dating fully grown adult men who freak out when you mention the word “period.”
Men who think they're automatically superior because they're male. And there ate a LOT of them.
Another article that has me feeling very glad I don't date and am not interested in a relationship. SO much drama avoided.
Some of these are people who just do not use their brain.
Gamers and guys with children. It's not the games that are a problem it's the priorities of the gamer because there are def ppl who enjoy games that aren't obsessive about it. It's also not the kids that are the problem it's the baby mama drama. Also dating is difficult because you want them to be a good dad and spend time with their kids but you also want to spend time one on one because I'm not going to be getting romantic with you in front of your child.
Two more - cringy/clingy types ("you're so pretty, I'm so lucky to have you, please don't ever leave me"); and people who insist they know what you are thinking even though they don't have a clue.
I’m thinking I may stop dating fully grown adult men who freak out when you mention the word “period.”
Men who think they're automatically superior because they're male. And there ate a LOT of them.
Another article that has me feeling very glad I don't date and am not interested in a relationship. SO much drama avoided.
Some of these are people who just do not use their brain.
Gamers and guys with children. It's not the games that are a problem it's the priorities of the gamer because there are def ppl who enjoy games that aren't obsessive about it. It's also not the kids that are the problem it's the baby mama drama. Also dating is difficult because you want them to be a good dad and spend time with their kids but you also want to spend time one on one because I'm not going to be getting romantic with you in front of your child.
