Dating can be a tricky business. It’s often hard to know who is being genuine and who is just trying to take advantage of you and only showing you what they want you to see. This post will discuss some manipulative dating tactics people should watch out for in order to keep you safe. If you’re not careful, you might find yourself in a relationship with someone only interested in taking advantage of you! So, read this post carefully and learn how to protect yourself!
Contents
The Scary Side Of Dating
While dating can be a fun and exciting way to meet new people, it also has risks. One of the most common risks associated with dating is the risk of violence. According to some reports, nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence at the hands of a dating partner. Unfortunately, domestic violence is a severe problem that can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, or gender. However, there are some steps that you can take to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of violence.
For example, always meet your date in a public place, and let a friend or family member know where you will be. If you feel like you are in danger, trust your instincts and get out of the situation as quickly as possible. Remember, if someone is genuinely interested in you, they will respect your decision to stay safe.
Manipulative Dating Tactics To Look Out For
Typically the first sign that something is wrong on a date is when your date starts behaving manipulatively. While this may not be easy to see at first, there are some common manipulative behaviors that you should be on the lookout for. Here are a few that should raise some red flags:
Guilt-Tripping
Most people have experienced it at some point: the nagging feeling that you’re somehow not doing enough, even though you’re putting in a lot of effort. Guilt is a powerful emotion, and some people use it to their advantage in relationships. Guilt-tripping is a manipulative dating tactic in which one person attempts to make the other feel guilty to get what they want. If your date is saying things like, “I can’t believe you’re not spending more time with me,” or “You never have time for me,” they might be trying to guilt-trip you into spending more time with them.
This behavior can be incredibly damaging to a relationship, as it creates an atmosphere of blame and resentment. If you find the person you are dating is regularly guilt-tripping you, it may be time to have a serious talk about boundaries and respect.
Blaming
Blaming is often seen as a negative trait. When you blame others, you indicate that you are unwilling to take responsibility for your actions. However, in some cases, blaming can be a manipulative tactic. For example, when someone blames their date for something that goes wrong on a night out, they are putting them on the defensive and making them feel like they need to justify their actions. This can be an effective way for them to get what they want from the relationship. Similarly, when they blame their date for their own mistakes, they are hoping that they will take responsibility and try to fix the problem.
In this way, people can use blame to control and manipulate a date into doing what they want. While this may be effective in the short term, it is not a healthy way to communicate in a relationship. Over time, this type of behavior can lead to resentment and mistrust. If you find that you are dating someone frequently resorting to blame in your relationships, it may be time to reassess your communication style.
Flattery
When it comes to dating, you have probably heard the saying that flattery will get you nowhere. But what if that’s not entirely true? What if flattery is a form of manipulation instead of an empty gesture? And what if it’s not just men who use it to get what they want, but women too? Flattery is defined as excessive and insincere praise, and when it comes to dating, it can manipulate someone into doing something you want them to do.
For example, let’s say you want your date to buy you dinner. You might tell them how amazing they look in their new outfit or how impressive their job is. By making them feel good about themselves, you’re setting the stage for them to do something nice for you in return. Of course, this can quickly turn into a more serious form of manipulation, such as telling your date what they want to hear to get them to sleep with you.
Flattery can be a fun and harmless way to show someone you’re interested in them, but it can also be a tool to control and manipulate them. So if you find yourself on the receiving end of excessive flattery, it might be time to take a step back.
Passive Aggression
One of the most common and destructive forms of communication is passive aggression. Although it may seem harmless to express oneself, passive aggression is a form of manipulation that can damage relationships. Passive-aggressive people often use indirect methods to express their anger or frustration, such as sulking, procrastinating, or making sarcastic comments. These behaviors can be highly frustrating to the other person, who may not even realize they are being manipulated.
If you suspect your date is using passive aggression as a means of control, it is vital to address the issue directly. Otherwise, the passive-aggressive behavior will likely continue and may even escalate, leading to an even more toxic relationship.
Gaslighting
If you’ve ever been on a date with someone who seems to be reading your mind, playing devil’s advocate, or making you question your reality, you may have been the victim of gaslighting. Gaslighting is a form of manipulation in which someone makes you question your judgment and perceptions. Gaslighters often use flattery and lying to convince their victims that they are always right and that their victims are wrong.
Over time, this can make the victim feel confused, anxious, and even paranoid. If you think your date may be gaslighting you, it’s important to trust your instincts and seek support from friends and family. Remember, gaslighters want you to doubt yourself, so don’t let them win!
Be Aware Of The Different Manipulative Dating Tactics!
Manipulative dating tactics can be harmful and destructive to relationships. If you think you may be the victim of manipulation, it is important to end things before they get further out of hand. And if you’re the one manipulating, it’s time to take a step back and reassess your dating practices. After all, healthy relationships are built on trust, respect, and open communication – not manipulation. So be aware of the signs and cut out the manipulation for good!
