The two biggest challenges that I have encountered in dating are women who smoke and women are too religious.
I didn't vote, because I can only vote for one choice, and I would have to flip a coin between too religious and Trump supporter, with cigarettes a not-to-distant third.
Thanks for pointing out, like I did, how useless these polls are when they don't allow multiple votes per person.
my awesomely repugnant personality has kept anyone away that would be outside of my hard-limits. if anyone actually wants to be around me, i figure theyre above average anyhow
The only thing that I don't care about is the age difference
My biggest and only challenge is always expecting that there will be some issue with me that will be a deal-breaker to her. It has kept me from asking any woman out for the past 40 years and from accepting invitations to go out from women. I always assume that because I am pretty unique something will not mesh. I realize it is a pessimistic attitude, which is weird because I am pretty much an optimist. I was never that way before I got married, so I think the divorce experience demolished my self-esteem, which is also weird in that I am very self-assured in all other areas of my life.
I've found cigarettes to be a huge issue. Even gifts that have been in their house for awhile have the permanent smell. And, there are exceptions - so let me tread lightly - but in general, there is pretty consistently a certain culture where smoking is much more prevalent than others in America. And I don't fit in well with that culture.
All of the above ! (social drinking is ok)
One or more of these choices are present in way too many people.
Another I've experienced too much of, is big 'ole bellies, and/or general neglect of health.
And people that don't like animals and the outdoors ...
Word.
Life is too short to put conditions on love like something as low in significance as bad habits...
Some "bad habits" can hurt me. For example, I have severe heart disease. Second hand smoke is deadly to me. While I don't care if they smoke, they will be unable to smoke around me.
I've also dated alcoholics/drug addicts (never again). I don't care if they drink (or imbibe) socially, but they will not drive, nor will I put up with extreme drinking or drug addiction.
@RonKrell They can only be changed if the person wants to change them. Sometimes there isn't a "right" motivation, and I'm too old to wait and see if it will happen.
For example, my sister smokes. She knows that I can't be around smokers, and she smokes anyway (and has told me to suck it up if I want to be around her). Guess what.... I don't see her much anymore. If my health/living isn't motivation enough for her, then she can go fuck a duck.
Life is too short to depend only on romantic love
@kiramea Obviously your sister doesn't give a damn about you, or your health. The same would go for anyone romantically involved with you that wouldn't give up whatever bad habits they needed to. I see many people that put far too many conditions on potential mates and I think they are just self sabotaging their chances for whatever reason they do it. Pick a few basic things that are required to being in a healthy relationship and the rest can be figured out if both parties care enough to make it work. Otherwise you may find yourself dying alone...
For me.
No smoking, no alcohol, no religion, prefer like minded politically but not necessary as long as not religious and understands the politics rather than blindness, no hard drugs, i am a daily cannabis user medically and for relaxtion but do not smoke it. It tastes nasty to me smoking it. Vaping and editables. Cigarettes are disgusting. Honesty and straightforwardness...
They would have to understand military based ptsd and anxiety. No weird sex.....just enjoyment...
Honestly, I for most of my life I have had a wife/girlfriend. I simply don't go down that road with anyone that annoys me to any great extent.
NO FUCKING BULLSHIT TELLING ME MYTHOLOGY IS REAL OR EXPECTING ME TO LIVE BY THEIR RELIGIOUS DELUSIONS!!!!!!! ( And why date a good delusional Christian girl when one can date a well grounded woman that can have fun and is not restricted or inhibited by an imaginary freind....To hell with that!)
I am kinda selfish and like her to be home with me if possible when I go to bed. Sure there are exceptions like work etc. but if she is just out on the town often I'm out. I would not do that to her.
abusiveness/ selfishness I have spent very, very little time with this type of person with the exception of my x-wife. Flags and alarms go of at the slightest hint of this.
Drug addition- never done that and will never date a woman with those traits.
Cheating- my girlfriend is not my possesion she can do anything she wants. There is no reason to hide anything from me.
Challenges:
I like to give the person I love as much of my time and attention as they wish. It is difficult to do this with other lifes issues, children, work, and specifically personal time as I am an introvert and need that also. Balencing their needs with mine is always a priority.
Families, when you date someone you at least should become part of their family and they should be accepted by yours. If children become jealous of time spent, there are jerks in your family or theirs, it is a huge problem to take into condiseration.
I am an introvert and do not like going out or socializing. My girlfriend is a very loved, social person in the community. She appreciates that I do go out with her just for her. It is hard for her when I just want to be alone and read a book. I am a little selfish about my alone time. I like her to be there say in the house but I don't want to interact with anyone. So i am a jerk as I want her to be there any yet practically ignore her inadvertantly. We have discussed this and she tries to understand and I try to pay attention to her wven though I jist want to be alone. I just don't let it get to the point that I start resenting the one I truely love. She is understaning and yet hurt sometimes and I again I do try to give her my personal alone time as much as possible.
So there is my short list.
Trumpers, smokers, and the religious are at the top of my list. Age doesn't bother me either way unless they have a stupid ridiculous laugh constantly going on. Going to the older ones I'm not getting off by talk that "my grandkid can beat up your grandkid" either. Even though I came out of religion I ended up smoking for right at 30 years. A non-smoker now for 20 years, I have to admit that cigarettes taste and smell repulsive. It would be damned hard for me to end up with a smoker or want to be involved with one.
I'm looking for the following:
I swear there are about two single women within 50 miles of me that meet those criteria.