Relationship Red Flags You Should Never Ignore

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They're chronically late.

For clarity, "chronic" means "three dates in a row." If your date arrives more than ten minutes late each time, don't wait for his (or her) fourth arrival. Be gone.

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They're rude to waitstaff.

And taxi drivers, and anyone else in a service job. I shouldn't even have to explain why this is a dealbreaker. Just remember that it is.

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They tell scary divorce stories.

It's amazing how much a new prospect will tell you about her life on a first or second date — much more than she knows she's saying. The question is: Do you hear it?

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They have a too-deep attachment to pets.

A golden retriever is fine and cats are all right if they don't do much. But I'm still haunted by the memory of an ancient

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They've only had short-lived relationships.

During a first, incredibly romantic lunch with a new prospect some time ago, I mentioned that my most recent relationship had ended after a year.

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They put ketchup on their eggs.

If one of those first dates is brunch and your new friend reaches for the ketchup to put on her eggs — red flag!

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They have demon children.

Children with an issue or two? Maybe. Children who hate you? Watch out. Hopelessly spoiled or angry children? Head for the door.

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They believe money is the only thing that matters.

Money stirs up so many issues, conscious and unconscious, far more than any magazine article can cover. For now, let's just list two red flags you can spot early on.

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They hold unjustified resentment toward their parents.

Powerful emotions about one's parents are a huge red flag. For men, mother-worship is relationship death.

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The sex is bad, really bad.

I don't need to go into detail here, do I? Except to say that bad sex may get better after a first, fumbling time, but bad sex two or three times in a row is sex that only gets worse.

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10 Male Dating Rituals Women Hate Most

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