Americans Reveal Their Biggest Relationship Deal-Breakers

Dating is difficult at the best of times, so you need to have a way of fighting through the duds. Even when you meet perfectly nice, reasonable people, you might just not be a good match. You have to know yourself to some degree to figure out what traits you desire in a partner, what you can tolerate, what will drive you up the wall, and what will send you screaming into the night.

So which traits do most of us avoid in our romances? Science has the answer. In a series of studies, researchers surveyed thousands of single Americans to find out which traits are non-starters when they’re dating, choosing from a list of 17. Men and women were surprisingly similar in a few of their responses, although the researchers noted that men and women “are more alike than different.”

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17. Not Athletic

Overall, 6 percent of respondents thought a lack of athletic ability would make them overlook a potential partner, with men slightly more prone than women to use this as a deal-breaker.

16. Too Athletic

At the other end of the spectrum, 9 percent wouldn’t move forward with someone who was overly athletic. Women were noticeably more likely to say this than men.

15. Had Kids

They’re not for everyone, and 13 percent said kids were a deal-breaker, with men only slightly more likely to point to kids as the reason they didn’t want to be with someone.

14. Does Not Want Kids

Kids are a huge commitment and inspire passionate feelings, so you should know if you want them before getting into a long-term relationship. Not wanting kids was a deal-breaker for 14 percent of respondents, with women holding a slight edge.

13. Blunt

Telling it like it is without tact and diplomacy can cause too much friction for 14 percent of respondents, and women were more likely to find this a deal-breaker than men.