19 Red Flags On A First Date That Should Make You Run (Fast!)

You met someone new, you like him or her, and you go on your first date. Going on a first date is super exciting but also a little scary.

You dress nicely, get butterflies in your stomach, and hope the person is everything that you want.

Sometimes, things get weird. Really weird.

We looked online to find the biggest red flags on a first date that real people have noticed.

If you see these signs, don't walk, run! Don't think of giving a second chance.

Top 10 Red Flags On A First Date

"I went out with a guy who snapped his fingers at the server to get her attention like she was a dog. I was so embarrassed I wanted to hide under the table."

If your date is nice to you but mean to the person bringing your food, watch out! This shows they think they are "above" other people and lack basic social skills.

"She spent 20 minutes telling me how 'crazy' her ex was. I felt like I was the third wheel on my own date!"

When you meet for the first time, you want to learn things about each other. If they spend the whole time complaining about an ex, they aren't ready to date yet.

"He talked for an hour about his job and his gym routine. He never even asked 'How are you?' I could have been a cardboard cutout."

A conversation should be like a game of catch - the ball should go back and forth. If they talk about themselves for an hour and never ask about you, they show poor communication skills.

"I told him I didn't drink soda. He laughed and ordered me one anyway, saying I was being 'boring.' It was very controlling."

If you say you don't want to go to a particular place or do a specific activity, they should listen. If they try to make you feel bad for having rules, leave.

"She kept checking her texts under the table. She didn't even look me in the eye! Just stay home if you don't want to be here."

If they are checking texts or scrolling through social media while you are talking, they are being disrespectful. This is a red flag because it looks like their phone is more important than you.

"Ten minutes in, he was talking about where we should go on vacation next summer. It was way too much, too soon."

If someone acts like you are soulmates, five minutes after meeting you, and they start planning vacations for next year, it's a way to trick you into liking them too fast.

"She told me my laugh was 'annoying' and then said she said I was too sensitive when I got quiet. A date should make you feel good, not bad."

If their teasing hurts or makes you feel bad, this is a bad sign. If they call you "clumsy" or "weird" and then say "I'm just joking" when you get upset, they are being mean, not funny.

"I asked him where he worked, and he said, 'Guess where?' I asked him how old he was, and he said, 'How old do you think I'm?' It was exhausting. I just wanted a conversation, not a game show."

When you ask a simple question, they shouldn't make you solve a puzzle to find out the answer. Of course, it depends on the context, but if most of your questions end up being puzzles for you to solve, this is a red flag on a first date.

"When the check came, he just stared at the ceiling until I paid. He didn't even say thank you!"

It's OK to split the bill, but it's not OK to trick someone. If they order a huge or expensive meal and then "realize" they don't have money, they are taking advantage of you. Of course, there are situations when they can actually forget their wallet, but if they offer to transfer the money it's good.

"He hated the location, the food, the smell of the coffee, and the color of the walls. By the end, my ears were tired of all the whining!"

Is the music too loud? Is the chair uncomfortable? If someone finds a problem with everything around them, they will eventually find a problem with you, too.

"I sat alone for 40 minutes. When he finally showed up, he didn't even mention being late. He just sat down and started ordering."

Life happens, but if they show up 30 minutes late and don't even say "sorry," it shows they don't respect your time.

"She barely spoke and kept looking at the exit. If you don't want to be on a date, stay home!"

Some people think acting bored makes them look cool. If they act like they are doing you a favor by being there, they aren't worth your time. Of course, this can also be a sign that they don't like you, and that's fine. You can move on.

"Every time I started a story, he would cut me off to tell a 'better' version of the same story. I felt like I wasn't even there."

If you can't finish a single sentence without them jumping in to talk about themselves, they aren't actually listening to you.

"He kept showing me pictures of his expensive car and telling me how much his watch cost. It was so boring."

It’s OK to be proud of yourself, but if they spend the whole time talking about how much money they have or how "important" they are, they are looking for a fan, not a partner.

"I kept leaning back because he was in my 'bubble,' but he just kept moving closer. It made me feel very uncomfortable."

If they try to hold your hand or sit way too close when you’ve clearly moved away, they are ignoring your body language.

"She told me her best friend was 'trashy,' and her sister was 'dumb.' I wondered what she’d say about me after I left!"

If they have a "mean" story about their boss, their friends, and their family, the problem is probably them - not everyone else. A first date should be a happy encounter and not about negative opinions.

"He told me I should quit my hobby because it was 'for kids.' We had only known each other for an hour!"

Why is this a red flag on a first date? If they say things like, "You’d look better if you wore your hair differnetly," or "You shouldn't eat that," they are a control freak.

"He told me he was a pro surfer. Later, I found out he was actually afraid of the ocean. Why lie about that?"

If you catch them lying about something silly, like saying they’ve seen a movie when they haven't, it’s a sign they might lie about big things later.

"We were walking on the street, and a stray cat came up to us, and he hissed at it and tried to throw a napkin at it. I stood up and left right then."

If a dog walks by and says something mean or tries to kick it, that is a massive red flag. How someone treats animals tells you a lot about their heart.

Conclusion

When you meet for the first time, everything should be fun. You should feel safe and happy. If your gut feeling tells you that something is wrong, listen to it. Please do not ignore it.

You don't owe anyone a second date, especially if they show you one of these red flags.

What do you think? Have you ever seen a red flag on a date? Please share this post with your friends to keep them alert.