The simple act of finding a partner has transformed into a complex minefield of instant turn-offs and 'icks', according to a viral online discussion started by a single man on Reddit.
The Reddit Post That Started It All
A 29-year-old straight man recently sparked a massive debate after posing the question: 'Are my dating dealbreakers too strict?' The unidentified user explained he had been actively dating since turning 18 and had constructed his list after meeting a wide array of women.
His comprehensive list of instant red flags included past cheating, regular recreational drug use, poor hygiene, and extreme political views. More controversially, he also listed having a sexually transmitted disease, currently being in a 'situationship' with a friend, and being a mother as absolute dealbreakers.
The Internet Weighs In With Their Own Red Flags
The post quickly ignited responses from countless other singles sharing their own dating dealbreakers. Many agreed that bad hygiene was an immediate reason to end things, with one commenter stating: 'If you haven't just run a marathon that day, there is really no excuse.'
Other common red flags included witnessing rudeness toward parents or waitstaff, while others cited crippling social awkwardness and poor communication skills as relationship enders.
However, some dealbreakers proved more unusual than others. 'I can't date someone with the same name as my parents,' one user confessed. Another admitted they couldn't stand someone using a 'baby voice with a dog'.
Even food choices and vocal tones became contentious territory. 'I can't respect a man who eats a well-done steak,' wrote one respondent, while another declared: 'Also, if I hate your voice it's not working out. Voice is important.'
Grammar mistakes also emerged as a surprising dealbreaker for many. 'This is a completely irrational one, but I *cannot* get past poor grammar and syntax,' announced someone else, while another agreed: 'When someone doesn't know the difference between your vs you're - drives me INSANE.'
Are We Becoming Unreasonably Picky?
Some observers questioned whether this hyper-selectivity was preventing people from forming meaningful connections. 'Some of the things mentioned in this thread really show how desperately people are fighting to stay single,' wrote one critic.
Another commented bluntly: 'Having dealbreakers is a dealbreaker. That's not the type of person I want to be with.'
Dating expert Milla Impola spoke to the Daily Mail about this modern phenomenon, highlighting the importance of being selective while warning that dating apps contribute to emotional fatigue and sometimes make people 'unreasonably picky'.
She explained that with endless options available through swiping, people become less willing to tolerate anything that feels slightly off. Impola advised daters to reflect on their reasons for rejecting potential partners and consider whether they might be overly superficial or judgmental, reminding everyone that 'nobody is perfect'.
