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You meet Tom at a party, and there is an instant attraction between you. He is charming, funny, and seems genuinely interested in you. You share your phone number, and in the days that follow, you start talking more often. But as you talk to him more, little red flags start to appear.
He constantly talks negatively about his exes and blames all of his previous failed relationships on his ‘crazy exes’. You also notice that he gets upset about small things and can sometimes even react aggressively. He says it’s because of the stress at work, but you start to doubt that this is really the only reason. Deep down you feel that there is potential for problems if you continue with Tom. Is this a sign that you should not start a relationship with him?
Red flags, signals and signs
When you’re getting to know someone, it’s important to pay attention to the signs in their behavior and habits. It can be tempting to get caught up in the excitement of a new relationship , but it’s vital to keep your eyes open for potential warning signs. Why? The signs in their behavior and habits can give you valuable insight into who they really are as a person.
For example, pay attention to how he interacts with others, how he presents himself, and how he behaves under different circumstances. How does he react to stressful situations, how does he deal with disappointments, and how does he express his emotions? These clues will give you an idea of ​​his character and emotional stability.
If you notice certain behaviors that worry you, don’t ignore them. Some signs can be subtle, like a lack of empathy, respect, or interest in your life. Other signs can be more direct, like jealous or controlling behavior. These kinds of signs shouldn’t be ignored, because they could be signs of bigger problems in the future. And that’s not what you want.
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18 Signs You Don’t Want a Relationship With Him
Don’t get carried away by butterflies in your stomach and don’t ignore the red flags . Be alert to these signals in his behavior and habits that tell you not to start a relationship with him.
1. He shows no respect for others
Pay attention to how he talks about and interacts with family, friends, and strangers. If he consistently belittles, insults, or ignores others, this could be a sign that he won’t respect your boundaries either. In any case, don’t expect respectful treatment if he doesn’t respect others. As he treats others, he will treat you.
2. He shows controlling behavior
If he constantly wants to know where you are, who you are talking to and what you are doing, this could be a sign of controlling behavior. Is he trying to limit your freedom and independence? Be careful, because it could be a tactic to control you.
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3. He is financially irresponsible
Financial problems cause great stress in relationships. If he is consistently irresponsible with money, in debt, or not taking responsibility for his financial obligations, be aware that he will be a source of stress. His irresponsible behavior can put a huge burden on your relationship and future plans.
4. He is not honest and trustworthy
A healthy foundation for any relationship is honesty and trust – two elements that are indispensable. If he often lies, hides things or proves to be unreliable, it is difficult to build a lasting relationship with him. It is therefore a clear sign that you should not start a relationship with him.
5. He minimizes your feelings
If he minimizes your feelings, dismisses your experiences as unimportant, or ignores your emotions, this could be a sign that he lacks empathy. Don’t expect him to listen to you, no matter the reason. He will be indifferent. He should take your feelings seriously and want to respond to them minimally, rather than dismissing them as insignificant.
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6. He shows aggressive behavior
Any form of aggressive behavior, such as angry outbursts, physical intimidation, or threats, is unacceptable. In fact, violence can never be justified or tolerated in a healthy relationship. If he is violent toward you or others, it is wise to distance yourself immediately.
7. He is jealous
A healthy relationship is built on trust, not constant jealousy . If he is constantly jealous, it could indicate unhealthy control and insecurity. For example, he may be jealous of who you spend time with, restrict your social interactions, or accuse you of cheating.
8. He is inconsistent in his behavior
A healthy relationship requires a stable partner. A man who is inconsistent in his behavior is not. Is he unpredictable and do you never know what to expect from him? Does he often switch between extremes in behavior and emotions? Then keep in mind that this will cause uncertainty and unrest in the relationship.
9. He has difficulty communicating
Resolving problems in a relationship requires communication. And those problems are going to happen anyway. If he struggles to express his feelings , avoids conflict, or shuts down when difficult conversations need to be had, this could become an obstacle later.
10. He has unhealthy habits
From poor personal hygiene to addictive behavior, they can have a huge and negative impact on a relationship. If he struggles with addictions such as drugs, alcohol or gambling, you need to be aware of the impact this can have on your life together. Are you prepared to face these challenges?
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11. He is emotionally unavailable
A relationship requires emotional commitment and from both sides. If he closes himself off from emotional intimacy, this could indicate emotional unavailability . This could be expressed in, for example, that he has difficulty sharing his feelings or withdraws when the relationship gets deeper.
12. He has a history of cheating
If he has cheated in previous relationships, it is important to be careful. While people can change, the pattern of cheating can be a red flag. Research shows that people who have cheated before are more likely to cheat in the future. Do you want to take that risk?
13. He is manipulative
Does he create guilt by playing the victim? Does he say things that you know aren’t true, but he keeps insisting that they are? Or does he constantly turn the situation around? Manipulative men often try to gain control over the relationship and you don’t want to be in a relationship with these men.
14. He constantly makes you feel like you’re not good enough
You don’t want to be a victim of emotional abuse, do you? Well, that’s where it goes when he makes you feel like you’re not good enough. For example, when he’s constantly criticizing you, putting you down, or making you feel like you never live up to his expectations.
15. He keeps talking about his ex
It may be a bitter pill to swallow, but some men just are n’t ready for a relationship . That would be a guy who keeps talking about his ex (and calling her by her name) and is still emotionally invested in his previous relationship. It’s even worse if he’s comparing you to his ex.
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16. He shows no commitment
Everything comes from you, he doesn’t put any effort into it? Then keep in mind that it won’t get better. It’s a lack of commitment. If he’s not willing to invest time and energy in the relationship in the beginning, it certainly won’t happen later.
17. He is overly secretive about his life
A certain amount of privacy is normal. But if he is constantly secretive about his life, friends or what he is doing, be alert. This behavior can cause distrust and insecurity.
18. He tries to isolate you
Is he trying to isolate you from your social support network? Do you feel like he’s keeping you away from other people? Then see it as a sign of control and manipulation. And that’s a sign that you don’t want to be in a relationship with this guy.
Do you recognize one or more of these signs? Then ask yourself if you can build a healthy and happy relationship with someone who exhibits these negative traits. The answer is probably no , and you just needed this confirmation.
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