One of the worst things that can happen when you’re dating someone is that they don’t want to show you off to the world. Maybe they’re hiding you from their friends or they’re keeping you out of certain parts of their life, but either way, it’s not cool. Is your partner ashamed of you? Here are 15 signs to keep an eye out for so you don’t waste your time on someone who doesn’t see your worth.
1. They make excuses for why you can’t meet their friends.
If you’ve been dating for weeks or months, and the person still doesn’t suggest introducing you to their friends, that’s a red flag. Why don’t they want you to be a bigger part of their life? Maybe their friends don’t even know you exist.
2. They play down your relationship in public.
While your partner might show you tons of affection in private, when you’re around other people, they suddenly change. They might play down your relationship, such as by not holding your hand or introducing you by name instead of relationship label.
3. They only meet you across town for dates.
Your partner might be choosing secluded places to hang out with you because they don’t want to run into anyone they know. Talk about shady! They pick restaurants and clubs that are way across town instead of closer to their or your home. They clearly don’t want to deal with the awkward situation of having to introduce you to other people, which is a major red flag.
4. They ask, “Are you wearing that?”
Someone who’s ashamed of you might try to bring you down by making insulting comments about your appearance. For instance, they might question your fashion choices, as though they don’t like the way you show yourself to the world. Who said they had a say in this? They don’t! Wear what you want and what makes you feel like a million bucks.
5. They don’t change their social media relationship status.
Even though you’ve been dating for several weeks (or maybe even months!), your partner doesn’t want to change their relationship status. They clearly don’t want to show their friends and family that they’re dating you, and it’s hurtful.
6. They won’t post couple selfies on social media.
While you don’t need to post couple selfies on social media to feel like your relationship is legit, it’s a nice thing to do sometimes, especially when you brainstorm some funny or cute selfie captions together. However, this person never wants to do that. They prefer to keep your relationship secret.
7. They’re critical of your life choices.
Your partner might be subtle in how they criticize your choices, but you definitely feel like they’re not proud of you. They might say something along the lines of, “Are you going to be in that job forever?” or “Why don’t you study further?” These hints show that they’re not happy with who you are, and they might see you as a work in progress.
8. They’d rather stay in than go out.
Another sign that the person you’re dating is embarrassed to be seen with you is if they always choose to stay inside the house for dates instead of going out. Although they might prefer this if they’re an introvert, if this is always the routine, it does make you wonder.
9. They put you down around other people.
When you’re out in public, your partner might find ways to belittle you. Maybe they scoff at things you say or roll their eyes at other people while you’re talking. They might make this seem like a joke, but it’s not fun. It’s almost like they’re trying to distance themselves from you.
10. They call you “crazy.”
If your partner doesn’t consider your feelings or they’re quick to call you “crazy” for thinking certain things, it’s like they don’t care about what you have to say. They might tell you that you can’t say certain things around others, but they’re the one judging you.
11. They compare you to other women.
You probably feel like you never measure up around your partner, and for good reason. They might compare you to other women to make you feel insecure or like you’re not good enough in their eyes, and it’s really disgusting.
12. They act weird when you run into someone you know.
When you’re hanging out in public and you bump into someone you know, your partner might fidget or look nervous, or they excuse themselves so they don’t have to engage. It’s weird because it’s like they can’t handle being seen with you.
13. They’re never available for group outings.
If you try to get your partner to become a part of your social circle, they resist it every time. So, when you invite them out with your mates, they’ll always have an excuse ready for why they’re unavailable.
14. They make you feel like you have to compromise.
Dating this person usually makes you feel like you’re not good enough and you always have to put in effort to compromise, such as by ignoring your need for them to meet your loved ones. It’s not cool ’cause the relationship’s one-sided.
15. They never make future plans.
Someone who’s embarrassed about being with you might try to avoid making future plans. They don’t know how long they’re going to be around, so they don’t want to commit to anything. Honestly? You deserve better.
