A dating specialist and matchmaker associated with Tinder has shared two significant red flags that singles should be aware of while browsing for new partners.
With countless profiles accessible in the palm of your hand, it’s easy for users to swipe left or right with minimal thought.
Sometimes, it might be something as simple as a charming dog in a picture that catches your attention, or the mention of a disliked movie that prompts a quick dismissal.
Given the vast pool of options, it can be tempting to make quick judgments. However, dating expert Paul Brunson cautions that there are two critical warning signs to watch out for when evaluating profiles.
Paul expressed his belief that online dating is here to stay.
He elaborated, “If you look at where we spend our time today versus 30 years ago or 50 or 100 years ago, it is predominantly online – and if you look at every bit of forward-looking evidence we are, we’re going to spend even a larger disproportionate amount of our time online…”
“So that means that connections are going to happen online.”
Although Paul is married, his work with Tinder has given him insight into what should and shouldn’t be included on dating profiles.
The first red flag concerns the level of detail in a profile. While it’s understandable not to want to reveal everything online, Paul emphasized the importance of having a complete profile.
“This is big,” he said. “So for example, [having] one photo, as opposed to 3,4,5 photos.”
Incomplete profiles may also have unfilled information sections, leaving potential matches in the dark about basic details.
Another red flag highlighted by Paul is a profile listing everything they dislike in a partner.
“It’s like, ‘don’t contact me if you are married. Don’t contact me unless you want blah, blah, blah, blah, blah’.”
“Talking about all of the don’ts is a red, as opposed to a green.”
Paul noted that listing ‘don’ts’ differs from discussing personal relationship values. “What you value is a standard, and that’s much different from saying, ‘Don’t contact me if you’re married’.”
“What that screams is that this is an insecurity, that ‘I have challenges around trust.’ But a non-negotiable is, ‘I’m seeking marriage’.”
Paul highlighted the importance of ‘expressing who you are’ in dating and stated that if you desire something, you should be forthright about it.
“If it’s something that you value, and you’ve thought about, then go for it,” he advised.
While being open with potential partners is important, opening up about dating to friends and family is another matter. Paul noted that ‘our circles are not as tight knit as they were 50, 100 years ago’.
Research by Tinder, in collaboration with the NGO NO MORE, found that 75 percent of single women hesitate to share their dating experiences with friends and family. However, 57 percent of single women are open about dating with strangers, for instance, when getting their nails done.
“We gravitate to those spaces where we can get unbiased feedback,” Paul remarked.
To encourage openness, Tinder is launching a pop-up nail bar, ‘Nailing Dating’, in London, UK from October 25-26. At this venue, guests can attend complimentary workshops offering guidance on having open and honest discussions about dating with their close circle.
The Tinder ‘Nailing Dating’ nail bar will be open in London from October 25-26, 2024, offering free dating workshops, manicures, and nail art. Reservations can be made at www.nailingdating.com.