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Internet dating can be tough, since there are so many weirdos out there and you usually have very little to go on. Struggling to differentiate between the harmless guys and potential crazies? Check out these 6 warning signs.
1. Pictures
It’s probably the first thing you look at (even if you tell yourself you don’t). Be wary of profiles where people have only one overly attractive picture. Chances are, it’s a stolen image of a model.
Also look out for profiles with no pictures. In this day and age of connectivity, why would you not have a picture? If you’re serious enough about making internet dating work, you would upload a picture of yourself.
When you see more “normal” looking pictures, be wary for those that are blurry, taken from far way or are clearly out of date. You want someone who will be upfront with you from the start – and their profile picture is probably the first way they can prove this.
2. Automated messages
Received an oddly impersonal letter that seems like it could have been sent to multiple people? It probably was.
There are daters who send out mass messages to everyone who they find mildly interesting. I guess it’s something about minimum effort? How insulting!
You want someone who wants to get to know you – and has taken the time to respond in a personalised (and non-generic) way.
3. Lists
A few basic requirements are fine, like looking for a non-smoker or someone from a certain religious background.
What’s not fine is setting up a long list of demands you expect your potential suitor to conform to. Stay away from profiles that specify a required salary, weight, height or want you to look a certain way (only blondes with 32DD breast-sizes? Really?)
Chances are this guy will be disappointed no matter who you are and what you look like. And only like you for the wrong reasons.
4. Negative profiles
It’s all about the phrasing. Stay away from profiles that often use words like ‘won’t, don’t, wouldn’t, shouldn’t,’ Stacie Ikka, a relationship expert, advises in Galtime.
“These profiles indicate a variety of potential difficulties with their authors, including control issues, a negative perspective on life (or at least on dating), a sense of entitlement, or a victim’s mentality—basically nothing that one should find attractive right off the bat,” she says.
5. Flakiness
A big red flag is someone who constantly cancels plans he makes or who can only talk on the phone at certain times of the day. They might have a super demanding job – or they’re hiding something. Some might even ask you to never call on weekends or in the evenings. Sounds like they want to keep you a secret, doesn’t it? Eh? Why? Run.
6. Liars
You’ve finally met a person who seems, well, normal and cool and everything you want, but then you receive a message saying the picture on their profile isn’t really of him or that he’s actually 20 years older than he said on his profile.
“The intent is to trick potential dates into falling for their “inner beauty,” but all this ruse really reveals about someone is that he’s a liar,” the people at More write.
They’re just liars. And is this the way you would really like to start your relationship?
