Red flag or yellow flag?
A red flag is about how someone treats you: respect, control, honesty. A yellow flag is something that could be nothing or could grow: worth noticing and talking about. The difference often shows when you bring it up: a yellow flag gets better with a conversation; a red flag gets defensive or worse.
Common red flags in dating
- ✕ Pushing you to go faster than you want
- ✕ Ignoring or testing your “no”
- ✕ Wanting to know where you are all the time
- ✕ Pulling you away from friends and family
- ✕ Put-downs dressed up as jokes
- ✕ Stories that don't add up
- ✕ Asking for money or gifts
Love bombing: too much, too fast
Constant messages, big gifts and “you're the one” in the first weeks can feel amazing. But when intensity comes before knowing you, it can be a way to rush trust. Real interest is patient: it still shows up when you slow things down.
Yellow flags worth talking about
- ! Hot and cold
- ! Slow or patchy replies
- ! Cancelling plans at the last minute
- ! Vague about what they want
- ! Talking badly about every ex
- ! Always on their phone
Green flags to look for
- ✓ They ask about you and remember the answers
- ✓ They respect your pace and your “no”
- ✓ Their words and actions match
- ✓ They make plans and keep them
- ✓ You feel relaxed and like yourself
Online dating scams: the money red flag
Scammers build trust fast, avoid meeting or video calls, then ask for money for an emergency, travel or an “investment”. However real it feels, never send money, gift cards or crypto to someone you haven't met in person. Report the profile to the app.
What to do if you see red flags
Trust what you noticed. Say your boundary once, clearly, and watch what they do next. Talk to a friend. You don't owe anyone endless chances, and walking away early is not overreacting.