I am learning to trust what my gut tells me about people. Often I see those pink flags very early on and dismiss them in order to give people the benefit of the doubt.
Here are some pink and red flags I experienced recently (all of these with the same person in the order that they appeared)
1) no picture on their profile (sent one with their first message so I figured they were okay)
2) met in person and didn't ask me any questions about myself (figured they might be nervous so let it slide)
3) When I gave them my phone number they texted me back from an email address (I've had people who want to conceal their identity do this before so started getting a little worried).
4) texted me about how attractive they found me and wanted to know if I felt the same (attraction is a factor in cuddling....so I don't think it was terribly inappropriate but my "spidey" senses started really tingling at this point).
5) talked about wanting to "take a nap" during cuddling. I clarified that I don't feel comfortable sleeping or doing overnights until I know someone very well.
6) brought up taking me to a spa (nothing inherently wrong with this but clarified about how I do not feel comfortable cuddling in a spa setting as both people should be fully clothed). At this point I decided one more in person meet up at minimum would be necessary before I decided if I could trust this person.
7) Made plans to meet up in person a week in advance and then didn't tell me they were no longer available until I reached out the day before to confirm. They talked more about cuddling....I clarified again we would need to meet in person again in public...like we had planned.... before cuddling.
8) Told me they were having financial difficulty and asked if I would lend them some money. At this point, they got blocked. Checked and their account here on CC had been deactivated.
This was an attractive and well-groomed person who presented themselves a widower and a single parent with a very good job. They seemed perfectly nice and polite in person. They even provided me with their Linkedin profile which seemed legit. they had Karma from a Pro. Again... any of the things early on in the above list by themselves were in the gray area (this is where a lot of manipulators like to stay). TRUST YOUR GUT PEOPLE.
What are your pink and red flags??