15 Shocking Dating Red Flags That Made People Walk Away Instantly

First dates can be a whirlwind of excitement, nerves, and unexpected surprises. While some lead to lasting love, others crash and burn in record time. Reddit users recently shared their most jaw-dropping “Nope, I’m out” moments and let’s just say, some of these stories are truly wild.

Dating can be unpredictable, but these Redditors definitely hit the jackpot for nightmare experiences. While some red flags are subtle, others practically scream, “Run for your life!” From bizarre behaviors to straight-up deal-breakers, here are some of the most unforgettable reasons people have cut a date short.

#1

Image source: CaffeinatedRob_8, pressfoto / freepik

I tried to rekindle a relationship after we randomly bumped into each other at a happy hour. We had a great conversation, and it made me think maybe things had ended too soon between us.

She seemed open to the idea and even suggested we grab dinner at an Italian place she’d been wanting to try. I was all in—reservation booked, time set, everything was ready to go.

The day of the date arrived. We were supposed to meet at the restaurant separately, but mid-morning, she texted asking if I could pick her up instead. Sure, no problem.

Then came another text. This time, she asked if we could push the reservation back by an hour. Okay, I thought, I’ll see what I can do. I managed to change the time, no big deal.

But then, another text. Now she wanted to switch to a different restaurant because one of her girlfriends had recommended a “better” spot. Fine, I thought. I went ahead and booked a table at the new place for the later time.

But wait—turns out she didn’t want the later time at the new restaurant after all. She wanted to go back to the original time.

At that point, I was done. I sent her a text that basically said, “I’m sorry, but I’m just not hungry anymore.”

#2

Image source: ned23943, Drazen Zigic / freepik

Yeah… I was expecting dinner and drinks, not a business seminar.

#3

Image source: fartsypooper, lookstudio / freepik

He kept saying I reminded him of his daughter while repeatedly trying to grab my face for a kiss.

The moment he went to the bathroom, I ran for my life.

#4

Image source: jennsnotscary, freepik

He told me he was a bartender and offered to make me a drink at his place.

When he handed it to me, I noticed my glass was different from his. Suspicious, I asked to add something to it. Took a single sip and caught him watching me way too intensely.

So I said, “Try this! It’s so good!”

He took a sip. But he didn’t swallow.

I left.

#5

Image source: maximum-nothing-4106, romankosolapov / freepik

Before the date, he mentioned he had a son. But during the date, he casually dropped that he actually has three children—though he added that two of them “don’t count” because, in his words, “their mom is a b***h.”

Just to clarify for some of you doing mental gymnastics in the comments: yes, he meant exactly what he said. When I asked him to elaborate, he doubled down. Needless to say, that was the first and last date.

#6

Image source: RelationshipIll9576, freepik

I’m a gay guy, and the date seemed fine until the end of the night when he casually mentioned that he had just come out to his family… during his sister’s wedding.

Apparently, it caused a ton of drama.

Yeah, no thanks. If you can’t recognize that your sister’s wedding is her special day and not your personal coming-out party, we’re definitely not a match.

#7

Image source: Skeets2680, standret / freepik

He refused to get out of my truck until I kissed him. I warned him that if he didn’t leave, I’d drive straight to the police station to get him out of my damn truck. Spoiler alert: there was no second date.

#8

Image source: ThatOne1983, freepik

Story 1:
On a first date, we were splitting the bill, and he asked how much his portion was. I quickly scanned the total and said, “Just throw in $15, and I’ll cover the rest.” Instead of accepting that, he grabbed the bill out of my hand and spent the next five minutes meticulously explaining the exact amount he owed, as if I didn’t understand basic math. It was beyond awkward.

Story 2 (Bonus):
Another first date, this time with a guy I met online. We agreed to meet at a restaurant, and since we parked close to each other, our first interaction happened in the parking lot. He said hi, asked how my drive was, and then dropped this gem: “If you don’t agree to sleep with me after dinner, I’m not even going to bother with the meal.” Without a second thought, I got back in my car and drove away.

#9

Image source: OK_weird1229, Racool_studio / Freepik

She pulled out two pictures of her exes and asked me where I would rank myself compared to them. Yeah, that was as awkward as it sounds.

#10

He asked me how many other guys I was talking to. When I said, “No one else,” he responded with, “Fine, lie to me if you want. I’m talking to seven other girls right now. It’s kind of a slow week for me—usually, it’s more like 15 to 20.”

I laughed because I thought he was joking, but that only made him angrier. He insisted he could have anyone he wanted, then stormed off.

#11

Image source: itso-complicated, zinkevych / freepik

He asked me out to a movie, but when he showed up, he was wearing Crocs and pajamas. He then casually mentioned we were going to his house instead of the theater. Oh, and as if that wasn’t enough, he dropped the bomb that he didn’t actually have a driver’s license.

#12

Image source: kikihippiex, katemangostar / freepik

He mentioned that he traveled to Africa often for work. Since I had lived in Africa for a while, I was excited—it felt like something we had in common. But then he dropped this bombshell: he didn’t think people in rural villages should have access to clean water or electricity because, in his words, “someone has to pay for it.”

We went back and forth for a bit, but after hearing his reasoning, I couldn’t stay. I got up and left.

#13

Image source: Cat_tophat365247, freepik

I went to a guy’s house for a dinner date, only to find out he’d invited his parents over without telling me. It was awkward from the start, but things took a wild turn when, in the middle of dinner, he got down on one knee and proposed.

Yes, you read that right—it was our first date.

I didn’t even bother responding. I just got up, walked out, and drove home. Honestly, I would’ve walked if I had to.

#14

Image source: GingerSnaps94, freepik

First date at Starbucks. As they were closing, he asked if I wanted to continue the conversation in his truck.

I happily agreed.

The moment we got in, he started the engine and sped off down the highway.

Then he said he’d take me back when I “proved to him what my mouth could do”—while whipping out his penis.

So yeah… basically got kidnapped on a first date.

Oh, and the cherry on top? He was a middle school resource officer. 🙃

#15

Image source: FriendOfSelf, peoplecreations / freepik

I was on a first date with a young Mormon woman in our mid-twenties. She started sharing her beliefs, explaining the seven levels of heaven and how most people could at least make it to the first level. Then the conversation took a dark turn.

She began talking about sin and claimed that deeper sins could be seen in the color of people’s skin. She insisted that darker-skinned people carried more inherent sin and, as a result, couldn’t go to heaven. But, she added, if they repented, their skin would become “pure and white,” allowing them to enter heaven.

I was stunned. Needless to say, there was no second date.