They’re A Keeper: 20 Green Flags That Prove You’re Dating A Good Person
Green Flags Galore
In dating, many people refer to the green and red flag analogy to help identify positive and negative traits and signs. For instance, a green flag indicates you should go ahead and date this person, while a red flag serves as a warning telling you to think twice. Focusing on the brighter side today, here are 20 green flags telling you to go all in.
1. Honesty
If you ever catch your partner in a lie, it can be a pretty glaring red flag. On the flip side, honesty and open communication can be a godsend, especially since it removes the need for games and second-guessing. Of course, liars will pretend to be honest too. So the best policy is to trust your partner completely until they give you a reason not to.
2. Effort
Someone who truly cares about you isn’t afraid to make an effort to make you happy. You shouldn’t have to pry them out of their home to go on dates, and you shouldn’t have to barter or plead to get them to do things with you. Instead, a good partner will pick up extra chores without a word, they’ll bring you your favorite food without you asking, and they’ll block out their calendar to plan dates.
3. Respect
Many people take respect for granted, but it is essential to a long-term relationship. Lots of people have boundaries, and you should never be afraid to tell your partner no. It’s a green flag when one “no” is all it takes to stop a behavior in its tracks. If you find you often have to repeat yourself or reemphasize boundaries, you might need to rethink the relationship.
4. Maturity
Unless you’re teenagers in love, a certain level of emotional maturity is expected in a partner. This means they need to be accountable for their actions and take responsibility when they make mistakes. On the flip side, if they’re always blaming you or lashing out when things don’t go their way, then that’s childish behavior you shouldn’t stand for.
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5. Conflict Resolution
The truth is all couples fight, and no matter how green your partner is, you’re going to have an argument. A green partner will be able to discuss these points without devolving into name-calling. They’ll also focus on solving the problem rather than fighting for the sake of fighting.
6. You Feel Safe
Instincts can be really telling, especially when it comes to relationships. With a green partner, you simply feel comfortable in their presence. This is because they won’t make judgments about you, and they won’t criticize you when you’re down. That way, you can be vulnerable in front of them without fear.
7. Friendships
A green partner should have friends, and ideally respectable and mature friends. You can really tell a lot about a person from the people they hang out with. So if all their buddies are cheaters or womanizers, you might want to get a second opinion. That being said, a green partner will have strong friendships indicating they’re a well-rounded person.
8. Family Ties
Similarly, a green partner should have a respectful relationship with their family. Of course, this isn’t always the case, as you can’t choose the family you’re born into, and their parents may be terrible people. Either way, their family situation should make sense to you, as the way they treat family indicates how they treat other people in their life.
9. Humor
Humor is actually very important in relationships, as it shows that somebody doesn’t take themselves too seriously. In fact, this type of person loves to laugh, and they don’t take it seriously when things go wrong.
10. Encourage Your Independence
A red partner wants to have complete and total control over your life, but on the flip side, a green partner wants you to flourish into your own person. They’ll support your need for space without trying to monitor you. They’ll also encourage your academic and professional pursuits, as they’re not trying to compete with you.
11. Long-Term Planning
Many people end up in a rut where they date forever and the relationship doesn’t seem to progress beyond that. But someone who loves you should be on the same page about the future you want to share. They also shouldn’t be afraid to commit to you.
12. Texting
A green partner won’t think twice about texting to check up on you. This shouldn’t come across as clingy or controlling, but instead out of genuine concern. For instance, they’ll text you to make sure you got home safe, or check in after a stressful test or interview.
13. The Little Details
A green partner is actually interested in you, so they’ll remember the things you say. You shouldn’t be surprised when you get a gift you mentioned once or twice on Christmas. Additionally, they’ll remember your favorite snacks, they’ll keep your pet’s name in mind, and they won’t miss your birthday.
14. Sharing Openly
You don’t have to work super hard to have a conversation with a green partner. Instead, they’re more than happy to share things about their day and life, and often do it with transparency.
15. Open Phone Policy
Privacy is great and all, and if the person has a genuine reason, there’s no need for an open phone policy. But if you’ve been in a relationship for a few years and are locked in, then there’s no reason to keep passwords on devices. That’s no invitation to snoop, but green partners usually don’t care about hiding things from their partner.
16. Celebrate Your Wins
A green partner is happy when you’re happy, and they’ll make a big deal out of all your small wins. They’ll take you to dinner when you get a new job, or rave to all their family members when you make a new piece of art.
17. They Take an Interest
A green partner wants to get to know you and spend as much quality time as possible, which means they’ll engage with your hobbies. If you enjoy dancing, they’ll take a class or two to be the perfect partner. If you like baking, they may surprise you with a recipe book.
18. They’re Kind to Others
One of the most telling signs of how a person behaves stems from how they treat service people. They say please and thank you when ordering, and are never condescending or stingy.
19. You Can Make Fun of Them
A green partner has no issue with a little roast-session or being poked fun at. In fact, they’re so comfortable in their skin that they can laugh at themselves, and they don’t mind a little good-natured fun. Just don’t overdo it, and be ready to take what you dish out.
20. You’re Never Too Much
A green partner loves all your little quirks and will never tell you you’re “being too much.” You can comfortably be excited, anxious, and emotional around them, and they will always be there to listen and support you.
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