Full disclosure: I wrote about these dating turn-offs a long time ago during my single days. I was absolutely exhausted from dealing with those horrible pick-up lines (do they get them from Instagram?) and wondering “when will people get the memo that none of these advances are welcomed?!” So I decided to write about what NOT to say when pursuing someone romantically. These turn-offs on the dating scene can end things before they’ve even started!

Also – while I’m probably preaching to the choir here – if by the off chance you are employing any of these strategies, I seriously encourage you to rethink them. But if you are a victim of these ridiculous attempts like I was, then feel free to enjoy it for a laugh!

1. The I’m-Kind-of-a-Big-Deal Turn Off

Your approach is overflowing with confidence and yet, decidedly hapless. Tragically, the response is quite likely the opposite of your intentions: amusement followed by pity.

You say: “My salary is several times larger than anyone else I know.”
I hear: “You seem like a gold-digger and I think you’ll be impressed by this.”

You say: “I’m extremely successful, particularly compared to others of a similar age.”
I hear: “I’ve spent innumerable hours stroking my own ego. Look how big it is!”

You say: “I went to an Ivy-League school and I never meet people who are equally intelligent.”
I hear: “I’m assuming you’re an idiot so you won’t notice that all of my positive attributes are veiled insults.”

While you may be wildly successful by worldly standards, I am much more likely to be barely stifling my surprised laughter when your “game” is how superior you are.

2. The Be-Weird-and-Unique-So-I’ll-Be-Memorable Turn Off

You say: “Have you ever seen a mannequin on fire?”
I hear: “I’m criminally insane and therefore frighteningly unpredictable.”

The goal appears to be simply, make an impression.

Mission accomplished…but for all the wrong reasons.

May I delicately point out that this might be much more efficacious if you were to aim for making a good impression?