Spirit Health Style Relationships Home Food Money World
2 of 7
Dating Dangers

This page requires Flash 9. Download it here.

Dying of Boredom

A date isn't a therapy session. Don't ramble about lost loves or your personal problems too much, Falzone says.

At the beginning, your dates don't need to know about your insecurities, your dead-end job, your failed relationships, he says. It's one thing to show depth of character, but revealing inner demons can be a turn-off. Keep the conversation lively and fun, and slowly reveal the real you.

If you look back fondly on a past relationship, the message comes across that you're not over it—causing your new romantic interest to feel threatened, jealous, or insecure, says Falzone. Showing bitterness over a breakup can make your date wonder if you badmouth all former flames. Sure, you need to bring up past relationships at some point. But too much too soon can lead to trouble.

SOURCES: Pepper Schwartz, PhD, sociologist, University of Washington, Seattle. Paul Falzone, author, Find the Right One.

© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.