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6 Dating Red Flags That Might Not Actually Be Red Flags, According to Experts

From staying friends with an ex to being terrible at texting, some seemingly suspicious dating behaviors might deserve a second chance.

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A red flag used to mean something serious, like a guy who screamed at servers or a woman who keyed her ex’s car. These days, someone can get written off for wearing socks to bed or saying “lol” too much.

Dating apps probably haven’t helped. Researchers at Tilburg University found that people became pickier the more profiles they saw, with their likelihood of accepting a match dropping 27%. A 2025 study also linked getting “the ick” to perfectionism and other personality traits. So before you write someone off, here are six things that might not be as bad as they first seem.

1. They Agree With Everything You Say

Your favorite band is their favorite band. They share all your opinions and never seem to........

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