Red flags in dating: what a modern relationship coach identifies on TikTok
A well-known relationship coach who goes by the handle @howtobeast on social media recently shared a trio of less obvious warning signs to watch for in dating. The discussion, which circulated widely on video platforms, centers on patterns that can hint at relationship trouble before commitments deepen. The messages were picked up by a major media outlet and then discussed widely by viewers and followers online.
The coach details three behaviors that may indicate trouble in a budding romance or in ongoing dating dynamics. First, a partner who rarely voices gratitude or appreciation can signal a lack of reciprocation and emotional balance. The absence of regular, sincere thanks or acknowledgment may reflect a broader pattern of taking effort for granted, which can erode trust over time. The second red flag concerns communication habits within existing relationships. When a person tends to avoid consistent, open dialogue with their current partner, it can create a foundation of ambiguity and mistrust that undermines closeness. The third warning centers on how someone treats the topic of past relationships. If conversations frequently hinge on past partners and the person avoids taking the initiative to text first, it might reveal a habit of deflection or an avoidance of meaningful connection in the present moment.
The coach explains that discussions about past relationships often carry subtle signals. In many cases, what looks like casual chatter could mask a desire to keep options open or to test a partner’s limits. In the coach’s view, if a person maintains a large circle of close contacts and engages with several people frequently, it could be a sign they are exploring options beyond the current relationship, rather than committing fully to a single connection. This perspective is framed as a caution about how early patterns in communication and social ties can forecast future challenges if not addressed openly and respectfully.
Within online conversations, many male viewers and followers weighed in with their own experiences. Some agreed that these behaviors can serve as red flags, while others argued that having multiple dating connections or maintaining a happy, stable marriage while dating others is possible, depending on the context and the agreements within each relationship. The online dialogue reflects the diverse realities people navigate when forming intimate bonds in a digital era where messaging and social transparency shape expectations and outcomes.
There is additional discussion about the feasibility of finding a long-term partner through dating apps. Some voices in the online community suggest that meaningful commitments like marriage can emerge from modern dating platforms, while others caution that app-based interactions require clear boundaries, honest communication, and shared intentions. The overall conversation emphasizes that understanding one’s own values and consistently aligning actions with those values is key to building trust, whether dating app conversations lead to long-term partnerships or casual connections.