15 Date Behaviors So Toxic, Even Your Therapist Would Say “Run”

Dating can be fun and exciting, but knowing when someone is in an unhealthy relationship and is not a good partner would be wise. Some signs are very discreet, while others are self-explanatory, such as the relationship won’t do you any good emotionally or psychologically. Also, learning when to stop going out with a particular person would help in cases where you are set up with somebody or even if you have gone out on several dates.

Constant Criticism

If your date uses jokes to criticize you, this is a big NO! People may give you feedback to take power or put you in your place. It does not matter how little the critique looks; constant negativity will deteriorate your self-esteem. It would help to consider how they treat you by withholding compliments or degrading your looks, favorite hobbies, or preferences. A healthy relationship does not involve putting each other down but walking with each other and supporting one another.

Excessive Jealousy

Jealousy can look charming at times, which is why it seems attractive, but it is insecurity and manipulation. If you sit down with your date and spend a few hours, you will note that one is likely to become possessive when they start having suspicions over your friendships or past relationships. Jealousy in a relationship usually goes to the extent of checking phone calls and messages or limiting your time with friends and family. A partner who cannot trust you is a partner who will not honor the freedom and values of personal space.

Aggressive Behavior

It is essential to understand that there is no reason for anybody to use force on a date. You should be very cautious if your date gets angry or aggressive toward you, others, or even objects. Although they can use stress or frustration to justify their actions, aggression and threats are enough reasons to know that one has an abusive boyfriend. Regardless of whether they’ve turned their wrath on you, that is the behavior you should not put up with. Sometimes, aggression becomes more severe, and getting out of the situation as soon as possible is most prudent.

Disrespecting Boundaries

It will also help to focus on how your date communicates physical, emotional, or linguistic boundaries for resistance. If they force you into such scenarios repeatedly or disregard your discomfort, they do not value you. Appreciation of others’ boundaries is an essential aspect of a healthy relationship. If that person does not care about your boundaries now, they will not care in the future. It is okay and should not be mandatory to continue with any opportunity that you feel is infringing upon your zone.

Talking Down

Another sign one should not ignore is arrogance, where one’s partner dulls the others’ intelligence and acts superior. If your date uses language that demeans you or makes you feel unimportant on your date, then it is an act of disrespect. They might make you feel like you have no right to have an opinion, or they might make you feel like your achievements don’t mean anything. A manipulative behavior like this is usually exhibited by some people who desire to dominate or overpower the other in the relationship. You should be with someone who accepts your opinions, presence, and feelings, not someone who degrades you.

Love Bombing

Love bombing is when a partner lavishes you with attention, compliments, and affection at the beginning of the relationship to make you feel special and attached. Though it is nice to hear and receive praise from others, it might be an illusion that manipulative people use to take over your life. Once they realize you are interested, they may start revealing their authentic selves; therefore, when things go too quickly or you feel strong love, consider whether it is accurate or just a manipulation scheme.

Self Bragging

If you are just an audience whose role is to listen and follow all the time, then it might be possible that they are narcissist or self-absorbed. Mutual communication is a process used in two people’s conversations where each shows concern and value for the other one’s ideas. Suppose a person only dominates a conversation, asking no questions and not seeming to listen to what the other is saying. This behavior can become unhealthy after some time, resulting in a situation where your partner seems not to care about your needs.

Gaslighting

Gaslighting is how someone alters how they perceive themselves or the actuality of particular situations. If your date constantly says that something you are sure about is invalid, insists that you are at fault for something that isn’t your fault, or manipulates you into doubting yourself, you are being gaslighted. This becomes toxic because it makes it difficult for you to trust yourself and leave the relationship. Like many other types of abuse, gaslighting may start mild and then become more severe over time; however, it is considered one of the worst types of abuse.

Empathy Lack

Lack of empathy should be seen as a clear warning sign. If your date is indifferent to your personal experiences or even rolls their eyes when you tell them how you feel, the chance is they are unable or don’t want to comprehend your feelings. Compassion is always essential wherever people are close because it lets their partners help and console them. If someone is not an empathy advocate, they will not know how to relate with you emotionally; therefore, the relationship lacks warmth, compassion, and support.

Phone Obsessive

It is understandable to glance at the smartphone screen occasionally, but tapping away at it is insulting if you spend most of the date doing so. If your date spends more time scrolling their phone than talking to you, that could indicate that they are indifferent to what is happening around them or the process between you. Such behavior not only offends and hints that they have no manners but also are emotionally illiterate. Healthy relationships require couples to fully get each other’s attention without distractions for some time.

Victim Playing

You should be careful if your date provides excuses of how everyone is always wrong or how they are always a victim. Those who tend to perceive themselves as victims all the time rarely assume the blame for their actions and might even attempt to blackmail you emotionally. Just as you would need to both listen and show empathy, try to see whether they ever admit to being part of their issues. It is tiresome and becomes manipulative for the one who constantly portrays themselves as a victim, which results in a toxic relationship.

Constant Complaining

If your date is always complaining or focusing on the negative, it can feel really draining to be around them. That kind of negativity can drag down your mood and even make you question your own positive outlook. Over time, constant complaining can overshadow the good moments and make the relationship feel heavy. A healthy relationship needs encouragement and good energy to grow, so think carefully about whether you can handle that long-term.

Disrespectful to Others

Pay close attention to how your date treats waitstaff, cashiers, or anyone in a service role. If they’re rude, dismissive, or lack basic manners, it might be a red flag that they don’t have much empathy. Someone who acts entitled or looks down on others may struggle with respect in other areas of life. How they treat others is often a sign of how they’ll treat you later on. It’s better to spot this early than to deal with it in a deeper relationship.

Rushing the Relationship

If your date is pushing things forward faster than you’re comfortable with, it’s something to pay attention to. Maybe they’re already talking about serious commitments or expecting too much too soon. This can sometimes come from insecurity or a need to control the situation. A healthy relationship should grow naturally at a pace that feels good for both people. If you feel rushed, it likely means your boundaries aren’t being respected, and that’s important to address.

Communication Refute

Communication has been defined as the frequency that holds any relationship together; these signs can help you understand that your date may not be ready or incapable of being emotionally present. If your date refuses to talk about significant matters, if your date turns its head when you try to have a serious conversation with them, or if they stop answering your questions about how it feels. If a person is not ready to interact freely, they set up an emotionally uninvolved relationship with no solution to the problems and lots of repression.

Dating is always a sensitive issue, and knowing these toxic patterns as early as possible will only help to spare you the agony of being involved with toxic partners. Each of these behaviors indicates that the relationship might be problematic in the future. Respect, empathy, and communication are commonly used when describing healthy relationships. Couples need to focus on the emotional and mental aspects of the relationship, and no man or woman should be in a relationship where they feel they are losing themselves.

This article was first published at Rbitaliablog.