This Relationship Expert Spots the Shocking Sign Your Partner Is a Red Flag

I’ve had my fair share of bad boyfriends over the years, and let me tell you, it never gets easier. But with time and experience comes wisdom, and I can confidently say that I can spot a red flag from a mile away. As I sat down with my friend Emily the other day, sipping our lattes and discussing her recent Parisian romance, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. She was beaming with excitement as she told me about her whirlwind romance with a charming French artist, but as she shared more details, my alarm bells started ringing. I hate to be the one to burst her bubble, but someone’s got to do it.

First of all, let’s talk about the way she met him. It was a typical touristy scenario - she was strolling along the Seine, taking in the sights and sounds of the city, when he approached her with a charming smile and a bouquet of flowers. Sounds romantic, right? But think about it - would you really approach a stranger in a foreign city and give them flowers? It sounds like the stuff of movies, but in reality, it’s a bit creepy. And yet, Emily was swept off her feet by his charming gestures and romantic words.

As she continued to tell me about their adventures together, I noticed a pattern. He was always the one initiating things - from romantic dinners to impromptu picnics. At first, it sounds lovely, but then I realized that Emily was never really in control of the situation. She was always the one following his lead, never the other way around. And that, my friends, is a huge red flag.

But the biggest warning sign of all was the way he talked about his past relationships. According to Emily, he had a string of failed relationships behind him, but he always managed to spin it in a way that made him sound like the victim. He would tell her about how his exes were all crazy or insecure, and how he was the one who got hurt in the end. Sounds familiar, right? It’s a classic move - the bad boyfriend always plays the victim card to get sympathy from his new partner.

I looked at Emily and saw the same pattern repeating itself. She was already making excuses for his behavior, already trying to convince me that he was different from all the other guys she’d dated. And I knew right then and there that I had to intervene. I hate to tell Emily that her Parisian romance wasn’t going to end in a fairy tale, but someone’s got to tell her the truth. It’s better to spot the red flags early on and get out before it’s too late.