Some people give off strong red flags before they even open their mouths.
Maybe it’s how they present themselves on social media, the way they reply to your texts (or don’t), or maybe they just generally give off dim vibes. It seems rude and maybe even a little presumptuous to assume someone’s an idiot before you’ve even met face to face, and as they say, you really shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Nevertheless, if they tick off more than a few of these boxes, they might not be winning any intelligence awards anytime soon, unfortunately.
1. Their bio is all emojis and no words.
If their entire dating profile or social media bio is just ten random emojis and a flag or two, you’re not exactly working with a literary genius. Sure, it could be minimalist flair, but it’s probably more like “couldn’t think of anything to write” energy.
While not everyone’s a wordsmith, you’d hope for at least one sentence that shows basic self-awareness or personality. If it’s just 💪🍕🔥🇬🇧, you’re probably not in for a riveting conversation about anything beyond gym, food, and themselves.
2. They use “your” instead of “you’re”… repeatedly.
One accidental typo is no big deal, but if “your cute,” “your welcome,” or “your the best” keeps showing up in their messages or captions, it’s not a great sign for brainpower. It’s like their autocorrect has given up entirely. Grammar isn’t everything, by any means, but if they can’t be bothered to write the most basic words correctly—especially when trying to impress someone—it says a lot. Mainly, it says, “I skipped a few too many English lessons.”
3. They brag about never reading books.
It’s one thing to not be a big reader, but when someone treats it like a badge of honour, that’s a different level. If they proudly tell you they “don’t read” or “haven’t touched a book since school,” it’s not exactly inspiring.
There’s no shame in different hobbies, but writing off an entire world of ideas, stories, and information just screams closed-minded. A bit of curiosity goes a long way, and this kind of flex is doing the opposite.
4. Their opinions are straight from conspiracy TikTok.
We all fall down an internet rabbit hole now and then, but if someone’s worldview is entirely shaped by dramatic, unverified videos from accounts named things like “TruthB0mbz88,” you might want to proceed with caution.
It’s less about having unusual beliefs and more about not questioning anything. If they’re quoting flat-Earth theories or explaining how birds are government drones, there’s a good chance you’re not going to get a high-level debate from them anytime soon.
5. They can’t stop quoting “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
If every reference they make is from a film where the main takeaway should’ve been “don’t do this,” but they treat it like a life goal, you’re in for a ride—and not in a good way. Jordan Belfort wasn’t a role model, but if they’re quoting him like he’s a philosopher, chances are they’re not too big on nuance, or critical thinking. At best, you’re dealing with someone who missed the point entirely.
6. They describe themselves as a “top alpha male.”
Anyone who has to say they’re an alpha definitely isn’t one. This usually comes packaged with a mix of inflated ego, fragile confidence, and a deeply questionable understanding of how social dynamics actually work. It’s giving “insecure on loud mode.” People with real intelligence and self-assurance don’t need to declare dominance in their bio. And if they do? There’s a solid chance emotional maturity left the building years ago.
7. They ask if you “believe in science.”
Science isn’t a conspiracy theory; it’s not something you believe in like fairies or horoscopes. If someone treats it like an optional lifestyle choice, there’s a decent chance you’re not dealing with peak intellect. Yes, healthy scepticism is fine, but basic facts aren’t opinions, and if they’re giving you a speech about how gravity is just a government plot to sell shoes, maybe don’t book the second date just yet.
8. Their texts are either one-word replies or chaotic novels.
There’s a balance between effort and overwhelm, and if someone can’t find it, it might not be about communication style—it might be a lack of basic self-awareness. “K” is not a conversation. Neither is a wall of unpunctuated text about why their last five exes were “psychos.”
Texting doesn’t have to be an art form, but if they can’t string together a sensible message—or worse, think shouting in caps lock is normal—you may want to rethink how much mental stimulation this is going to offer long term.
9. They use pick-up lines that make no sense.
“Are you a parking ticket? Because you’ve got fine written all over you” might’ve been semi-charming in 2011, but if someone’s still dropping lines like this—unironically—you’re probably not in for deep conversation. The worst part is that they often deliver them with full confidence, as if they’ve just reinvented comedy. A bit of humour is great. A full personality built around recycled punchlines? Less so.
10. They don’t know what a boundary is.
Source: Unsplash If someone blows up your phone because you didn’t reply within ten minutes, or gets weirdly intense before you’ve even met, that’s not just annoying, it’s giving major red flag energy—and a possible lack of basic emotional understanding.
Smart people tend to understand things like patience, personal space, and the importance of reading the room. If they act like you owe them something straight away, chances are you’re not dealing with someone who’s done much growing up.
11. They think being “brutally honest” is a personality trait.
You know the type—always “just saying it like it is” while being unnecessarily rude or condescending. They’ll say it’s honesty, but really it’s just a lack of emotional intelligence wrapped in bravado. People who genuinely value communication don’t go around knocking others down for sport. If someone thinks cruelty is clarity, they’re probably not deep thinkers. Or, at the very least, not someone you want to spend an evening with.
12. They brag a little too much about how much they drink.
“I don’t even get hangovers anymore” is not the flex they think it is. Constantly talking about how much they drank, how wrecked they got, or how wild they are can start to feel more high school than adult life. It’s fine to enjoy a night out. But if their entire personality revolves around pints, pub crawls, and blurry weekends, don’t expect deep chats or mature behaviour anytime soon. It’s fun for a night, but not so much for the long haul.
