Everyone has their own personal dating deal breakers.
For you, it might be smoking. Or rudeness. Or a penchant for Justin Bieber.
It’s different for everyone, but when we encounter one, the reaction is always the same: Horror, revulsion, and a desire to get away, immediately.
Because these are not minor annoyances or idiosyncrasies that could become cute later on.
They are not little adorable quirks, like how he makes little squeaking noises when he eats or how he nods in agreement with himself as he speaks.
Oh no. These are warning signs that cannot be ignored.
Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by eHarmony. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100% authentic and written in their own words.
I know, as you read this, that memories will be popping into your head and you will experience a feeling of sheer relief that you got the hell out of there, and that you got away. Because…shudder…
Here is a collection of the top dating deal breakers from the Mamamia Women’s Network. You may need a glass of wine for this…
Deal Breaker #1: The man-child.
• “In the first five minutes he showed me an app on his phone that was 101 fart noises.” – Monique
• “I had a guy say he had no idea who John Lennon was but that he loved Lady Gaga. Other basic deal breakers: No job, no prospects and haven’t ever travelled or has no interest in travelling.” – Lauren
Deal Breaker #2: The crashing bore
• “I went on a date with a guy who just talked AT me about physics the whole time. I don’t mind people sharing their interests, but it wasn’t a two-way conversation by any means. At one point he joked about my eyes glazing over. Then he continued his lecture.” – Kahla
• “Watching golf 24/7. Oh sorry, that’s just my deal breaker with my husband.” – Bern
• “Being on his phone, constantly.” – Jenny
Related: 36 burning questions you need to ask anyone you’re planning on falling in love with.
Deal Breaker #3: The asshat.
• “I’ve never had any bad dating experiences (Writer’s note: I am tempted to throw scrunched up paper at her) but I would never, ever, ever be with anyone who didn’t like animals, was a smoker, or was racist, sexist or homophobic.” – Alexis
• “Hypothetically, if someone was rude to wait staff it’d be game over.” – Kahla
• “Unironic sexist jokes.” – Nicola
• “When they dominate the conversation, and don’t ask any questions about you.” – Stephanie
• “Asking how many people you have slept with.” – Louise
Deal Breaker #4: The stud muffin.
• “Pointing out hot chicks. And giving them actual ratings out of 10. Non. Stop.” – Katie
• “Telling you how many partners they’ve had/how many people they’ve slept with.” – Valentina
Deal Breaker #5: The stinker.
• “I went on a date with someone who was sweating, profusely, for the whole time. Oh, and let’s just say that BO was also an issue. A turn-on it wasn’t.” – Ashley
• “Halitosis.” – Mary
PAUSE FOR DEFINITION: Halitosis (bad breath) is a common condition caused by sulphur-producing bacteria that live within the surface of the tongue and in the throat. Gross.
Deal Breaker #6: The food shamer.
• “One of my good mates was on a date recently, and when the bread basket came out she obviously started helping herself (as any gluten tolerant person would). The guy looked at her and said something like, ‘Should you really be doing that?’ As for me, I could NEVER date someone who quit sugar. Dessert is my lifeblood.” – Kahla
Deal Breaker #7: The Kanye-level narcissist.
• “The guy only spoke about how amazing he was the ENTIRE time. He also told me how he went to Thailand for holiday and could speak fluent Thai and as we were at a Thai restaurant he kept speaking to the waitress in Thai…he clearly had no clue though, because she couldn’t understand him.” – Avi
• “I once went on a date with a guy who was looking in the mirror behind me pretty much the whole time. I didn’t know whether to laugh or throw my wine at him.” – Lisa.
Ouch. After those doozies, the Mamamia team have learned some serious lessons when it comes to dating – specifically, bring breath mints to tactfully offer up to your date if needed, and screen for a dodgy sense of humour at your earliest opportunity (lest you find yourself having to politely chuckle at fart jokes for the entire three-course meal).
The main take-away lesson, though? Don’t put up with dodgy dates. Hold out for a great one – preferably with a guy who has more manners than he does Kanye-style ego.
Related: Two days ago, online dating went through the roof.
Have any of the above ever happened to you? What are your dating deal-breakers?
eHarmony is Australia’s #1 Most Trusted Dating Site.Dating should be fun, but we’ve all been scarred from bad date experiences. eHarmony’s Relationship Questionnaire is designed to get to know you and want you want, so we can find you more a compatible match. So hopefully that leads to better dates. That’s what we’re about – better matches, better dates.
For more info check out:
http://www.eharmony.com.au/better-matches/
Top Comments
Not a first date but the first time I had sex with my (now) husband was on his birthday. We got to his house after a fancy dinner and started having sex in the dark on the dining table when the lights came on and we realised his entire family including his grandparents had snuck into his house to throw him a surprise party. It was most definitely a surprise for everyone involved, and having never met his family before I struggled with the idea that they had seen my "lady parts" before they had clearly seen my face. Because I am a coward I bolted and left him there with his pants down to face his family alone. For about 3 months I was unable to have sex without first doing a perimeter check of the room to make sure I wasn't inadvertently performing for a crowd.
Wow Guest that is sooo embarrassing....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My husband asked me a few days about my worst date.
I told him about a first date I went on where the dude was half an hour late and didn't answer his phone when I called. It turned out he'd lost his phone on the bus home from Canberra the day before on the way home from a week-long hook up with some chick he met online. He forgot to tell me he'd lost his phone while we were chatting on MSN the night before (that tells you how long ago this date was).
Let's just say he was lucky he was really cute and I was super into him, because otherwise I wouldn't have married him. Yeah, my husband doesn't do dates very well.