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Hoo-doo

Attempted to circumvent ban with alt account
Banned
Oct 25, 2017
4,292
The Netherlands
green-flag-std.jpg


To provide some necessary contrast (and positivity) to the 'What are your red flags during a first date' thread, I figured we could use a thread where we discuss the exact opposite. Because I think it's important to remind ourselves that dating isn't always this judgmental horror show, it can also be rewarding, relaxed and a lot of fun.

Basically, when dating, what are the traits, quirks, habits or opinions that your dating partner could have that would make your heart beat faster? Are there things, big or small, that you absolutely adore in a potential partner? What were the things that had you hooked on your current partner when you first dated? Let's keep this thread positive and inclusive and not all about looks, if you can help it.

List your 'green flags' here! I'll start.

1. A click in communication. Quite obvious, but an important one. Not all conversations are created equal and sometimes you meet someone where it clicks from the first minute and it feels like you have known this person for years. All pretense goes out of the window and you're able to let your guard down and just talk about everything, ranging from casual discussions to deep conversations about rather personal things. To me it's a sign of being on a similar wavelength and it's huge.
 

Robin

Restless Insomniac
Member
Oct 25, 2017
3,503
What always excites me is a good venn diagram of hobbies and interests. It's nice to see someone who has plenty of passion for the things I enjoy in life, but it's equally important they have their own interests and can show me new and exciting things, as well as things that I can show and share with them. Pretty much my priority concerns are that and empathy. Kindness is a commodity.
 
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LewieP

Member
Oct 26, 2017
18,101
Early on with dating my last gf, she said "I would like to watch some movies together, how about Dredd, The Transporter and [some tepid romcom that I have forgotten]", and I thought two outta three ain't bad.
 

Deleted member 16908

Oct 27, 2017
9,377
If they talk about how much they love to pay for meals
 

Booki

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
4,865
Brooklyn
A decent sense of humor goes a long way. If you're unable to laugh at yourself, I don't see things lasting too long.
 

TheCthultist

Member
Oct 27, 2017
8,450
New York
I like people with a lot of energy and passion. Doesn't have to be particularly focused energy, just people who can get passionate about something and really pull me into their love of whatever it is we're doing/talking about. I don't care what we're doing or talking about; I can learn to like just about anything. Just find something you love and show me how great it is. Overall, I'm way more drawn to personalities than anything else about a person; so it makes a big difference for me if the person I'm with is comfortable with really expressing themself around me.

Beyond that, Booki nailed it with a solid sense of humor being super important right off the bat.
 
OP
OP
Hoo-doo

Hoo-doo

Attempted to circumvent ban with alt account
Banned
Oct 25, 2017
4,292
The Netherlands
What always excites me is a good venn diagram of hobbies and interests. It's nice to see someone who has plenty of passion for the things I enjoy in life, but it's equally important they have their own interests and can show me new and exciting things, as well as things that I can show and share with them. Pretty much my priority concerns are that and empathy. Kindness is a commodity.

A basic level of empathy is a huge one. I can't stand to be with people who lack the ability to place themselves in the shoes of others.
 

Dragon1893

Member
Oct 25, 2017
5,446
green-flag-std.jpg


To provide some necessary contrast (and positivity) to the 'What are your red flags during a first date' thread, I figured we could use a thread where we discuss the exact opposite. Because I think it's important to remind ourselves that dating isn't always this judgmental horror show, it can also be rewarding, relaxed and a lot of fun.

Basically, when dating, what are the traits, quirks, habits or opinions that your dating partner could have that would make your heart beat faster? Are there things, big or small, that you absolutely adore in a potential partner? What were the things that had you hooked on your current partner when you first dated? Let's keep this thread positive and inclusive and not all about looks, if you can help it.

List your 'green flags' here! I'll start.

1. A click in communication. Quite obvious, but an important one. Not all conversations are created equal and sometimes you meet someone where it clicks from the first minute and it feels like you have known this person for years. All pretense goes out of the window and you're able to let your guard down and just talk about everything, ranging from casual discussions to deep conversations about rather personal things. To me it's a sign of being on a similar wavelength and it's huge.

This actually happened to me recently. Wasn't a date though, it was during a trip with someone who had joined the company very recently. We talked for hours and everything around us just kinda disappeared you know? I could tell she was just as sad as I was that the trip was over, there was just this level of mutual understanding, like we knew each other for ages. We went from almost strangers to good friends in a matter of hours just because we happened to sit next to each other in the bus.
You can't help but wonder what your life would be like if you were to enter in a relationship with someone that feels so in sync with you right off the bat.
 

SRG01

Member
Oct 25, 2017
7,020
A basic level of empathy is a huge one. I can't stand to be with people who lack the ability to place themselves in the shoes of others.

Empathy is a big one, but it's really easy for a lot of people to fake empathy. :(

My green lights are understanding, insight, compassion, open-minded (I'm a minority), non-religious but spiritual, and just general goodwill and good faith.
 

Vommy

Chicken Chaser
Member
Oct 27, 2017
4,930
Eye contact. Complete focus and hopefully a interesting conversation where both parties are engaged.
Also a great smile never fails to impress. :)
 

BDS

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
13,845
  • Liking memes
  • Liking the shit I like
  • "Have you ever heard of Life Is Strange?"
  • Liking me
 
OP
OP
Hoo-doo

Hoo-doo

Attempted to circumvent ban with alt account
Banned
Oct 25, 2017
4,292
The Netherlands
This actually happened to me recently. Wasn't a date though, it was during a trip with someone who had joined the company very recently. We talked for hours and everything around us just kinda disappeared you know? I could tell she was just as sad as I was that the trip was over, there was just this level of mutual understanding, like we knew each other for ages. We went from almost strangers to good friends in a matter of hours just because we happened to sit next to each other in the bus.
You can't help but wonder what your life would be like if you were to enter in a relationship with someone that feels so in sync with you right off the bat.

These are the ones you shouldn't let go, my friend. It's very rare in my experience.
 

Pau

Self-Appointed Godmother of Bruce Wayne's Children
Member
Oct 25, 2017
5,849
One of the first times we talked, my boyfriend sang me an N*SYNC song. Everything about that interaction was a green flag for me: confidence, goofiness, and a good singing voice. :3
 

Mi goreng

Member
Oct 28, 2017
1,244
Melbourne
looks good
fit
has interests
no horses
isn't partisan
not superstitious
educated
eats whatever
has good taste in media
hasn't been with too many dudes if any
doesn't smoke
can hold a convo
doesn't mention 'sounding'
 

Arcus Felis

Unshakable Resolve
Member
Oct 26, 2017
3,123
In no particular order:
  • Funny
  • Smiling
  • Empathic
  • Kind
  • Makes me feel at ease
  • Share at least some interests with me (bonus points if we discover that we have more in common than we thought)
  • Have a religious/political/societal point of view compatible with my own (we don't need to have exactly the same point of view, but at the very least I have to make sure there is no hidden dealbreaker)
  • Has career plans for the future (note: having a stable job is a pre-requisite)
  • Independent (if their universe begins to revolve around me, that's a red flag)
  • Has their own interests and passions
  • Offer to pay the bill (note: I prefer to do 50/50, but I appreciate the intention, and if they do pay I make sure to pay for the next one)
  • I don't mind spirituality, as long as they don't act irrational because of it (that's actually something I have trouble dealing with with a few people, including friends... I like them, but I can't deal with completely illogical train of thoughts)
  • Wants to practice safe sex (corrolary: someone who doesn't want safe sex is a deal breaker)
 
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butzopower

Member
Oct 27, 2017
1,861
London
On the first date with my now wife, she brought up a bunch of her favorite Heinlein and Phillip K. Dick stories while we were splitting a flask of bourbon in the park. That was my green flag.
 

ishan

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
2,192
very hard to define. I ended up thinking this one night stand person was super cool cause she was "eccentric" and was i guess happy go lucky is the best way I can describe it. I took her number down and said here's mine she was like youre sure I was dead sure :) interesting person why not
 

Lucreto

Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,645
A slightly over enthusiastic love of Cats and Disney movies. (Much like me)
Enjoys food. (None of this expensive salads and eating less that half)
Always positive (I'm Mr Negative)

Unfortunately that pool is very shallow.
 

Deleted member 20429

user requested account closure
Banned
Oct 28, 2017
133
Not being a transphobe or fetishizing trans women puts someone off to a great start for me.

Beyond that chemistry is the important one, especially if they have overlapping interests as well as differing ones. It gives a lot to talk about.
 

Rendering...

Member
Oct 30, 2017
19,089
Muscles. Good strong arms and a nice chest. Hell yeah.

OK, also:

- compassion for less privileged people
- being generally nice and courteous
- not ultra sensitive to strong language or mature content, in appropriate contexts
- the ability to overlook small mistakes and let people save face in embarrassing moments
- some kind of interest in science, art, or literature
- a purpose in life or at least the will to improve themselves and keep striving for something better
- a sense of humor. Doesn't have to be super cerebral but if you laugh at stereotypes and mean-spirited insult humor, and stare blankly at verbal cleverness or jokes that require a bit of knowledge or thinking, we're not compatible
- a broad taste in movies
- doesn't play idiotic games when they're feeling a certain way. Communication is absolutely vital. We have to be able to tell each other when we have a problem and talk things out. If you escalate to yelling or insults in everyday conflicts before simply talking about it, goodbye
 
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Jack Remington

User requested permanent ban
Banned
Oct 25, 2017
3,083
This actually happened to me recently. Wasn't a date though, it was during a trip with someone who had joined the company very recently. We talked for hours and everything around us just kinda disappeared you know? I could tell she was just as sad as I was that the trip was over, there was just this level of mutual understanding, like we knew each other for ages. We went from almost strangers to good friends in a matter of hours just because we happened to sit next to each other in the bus.
You can't help but wonder what your life would be like if you were to enter in a relationship with someone that feels so in sync with you right off the bat.

That happened to me, like 18 months after we had first met. We went to Europe together without a second thought.

Unfortunately, our reunion coincided with me going off my rocker with a now-treated mood disorder that some may know, and we were not together very long.
 

Messofanego

Member
Oct 25, 2017
26,198
UK
People here have covered most of mine so I will add, them taking the initiative to make plans. On my first date with my fiance, she suggested after the dinner to spend more time with me at a museum I casually mentioned in conversation. That equality in planning takes a load off you.
 

THErest

Member
Oct 25, 2017
7,104
Wasn't a date exactly, but I knew my now-wife was a keeper when she wanted to watch more Knight Rider.
 

Avitus

Member
Oct 25, 2017
12,922
If we're talking early stages...

Lots of eye contact, not afraid to lead the conversation or afraid of silence, not on their phone, genuine (no bullshit games or fronts), respectful towards others, able to take the initiative and also generally able to treat things as equals (paying, setting up plans etc...) , shared interests

Basically a well adjusted person that is mindful of others. Everything else will flow from there.