What were "deal breakers" in your courting and sparking days?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (234855)
Walnut Creek, California
February 12, 2026 12:02pm CST
As an old fart, I sometimes look back on my days of courting.
What was it that made a woman attractive?
But then there is the flip side of that equation.
What made me know that this "relationship" would not work?
Have you ever considered this question?.
With what is happening in US and in the world, it is easy for me to "access" the negative side of this equation, so here I go.
Bad breath. Have you ever kissed someone who was really pretty or handsome, but had really stinky breath? OK, maybe it was the pesto they had for lunch that day. Nope. Stinky breath. I'm done.
A lack of intellectual curiosity. Have you ever dated someone who thought they had all of the answers, but was not curious about the world? I'm done.
Chronic negativity. Have you ever hung around someone who had a consistently pessimistic view of themselves and the world around them? "With my luck..." "People are mostly out for themselves..." I'm probably done.
OK, more come to mind, but I don't want to be Mr.Grumpy Gills. Maybe I'll do a later post about things that have delighted me about courting and sparking partners.
What are some of your "deal breakers"? And (if you're in a really good mood),what are some of your delights?
9 people like this
7 responses
@DianneN (248808)
• United States
8h
I have been lucky and found the most perfect man for me.
On the flip side, I refused to date some kid in high school because his head stunk.
I always wanted someone who could make me laugh, feel secure, witty, quick thinking, respected, kind, very intelligent without being a know it all, had the potential to earn a good living, and went beyond graduate school. Did I mention my hubby?
He liked my legs
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (167728)
• United States
6h
I've dumped acquaintances who were pessimistic all the time so I sure wouldn't ask a person on a date if that was their constant attitude.
And yes, bad breath would make me think hard about asking them out a second time. (Bad breath from something we just ate wasn't a deal breaker for me. I just knew better than to kiss them after we ate.)
I enjoyed people who were interested in reading, even if they weren't interested in the same types of books that I prefer. I can read almost anything and talk about them afterwards. I LIKE a good conversation and enjoy people who can talk intelligently about other things, too.
I like people who laugh and make me laugh... I do tend to tease a lot so someone who didn't like to be teased made me tense.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (167728)
• United States
6h
@TheHorse There's a good reason for that. If you can't laugh together, then you probably won't stay together.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (234855)
• Walnut Creek, California
4h
@DaddyEvil I agree with your statement. I'll add some psychology later.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (185375)
• Boise, Idaho
4h
You have some good ones there. I think bad hygiene would be high on my list. No sense of humor because humor is so important to me. How he treated other people and animals. I think you can tell a lot about a person when you see how they treat others. Waitresses and other workers like that. And my delights are funny tall men that like animals.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (129482)
• Marion, Ohio
4h
Being lazy and not wanting to work. I have known a few of those.
Thinking women should bow down to the men masters. Yes I know a few again.
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (17493)
•
2h
A lack of intellectual curiosity
Chronic negativity
If anyone displayed those two things with me I would be off like a shot
As for the Halitosis - I must have been lucky
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (17493)
•
1h
@TheHorse
I think I did read that somewhere.
But see people who are negative and never look on the bright side, or are always moaning, bye bye
@JudyEv (371566)
• Rockingham, Australia
1h
A good sense of humour is important to me and a positive outlook.
