Manipulation In Dating, Relationships: Signs, Examples

Manipulation In Relationships, How To Identify Toxic, Controlling, Classic Traits, Signs; Red Flags Dating An Older Man, Controlling Behavior In Relationships

Most of the advice and caution featured on this blog focuses on dating apps, but there is a glaring gap in providing additional tools to protect oneself against toxic, signs of manipulative behavior after people match, talk, meet and start dating.

With a plethora of dating terms associated with apps, it’s no wonder many people are frustrated, confused or feel left in the dark.

It’s easy to filter and screen shirtless selfies, intense photos, crude text messages, sexual innuendos, lazy bios, cut and pick-up lines etc. but once you get past those awkward and unwanted propositions and texts, that doesn’t mean one should let their guard down.

There are master manipulators on dating sites that make a career out of swindling women or playing on their emotions. The harsh reality of online dating is that the anonymity of dating apps leads to worst behavior than in person.

Related read: How To Vet People From Dating Apps

Why Do Men Seem Interested Then Pull Back, Back Off, Pull Away?

It can be a variety of reasons. They could have met someone else, they could be little chicken-shits, they might be trying to pull some manipulative tactics to mess with you thinking you will want them more.

Regardless of the reason, focus on men who are present, enthusiastic, responsive, match your etiquette and maturity. Don’t make excuses for time-wasters. Don’t wait for guys. Dating is not a one-sided interview.

Related read: Common Mistakes, Assumption Women Make On Dating Sites

Unacceptable Behavior From Boyfriend, Girlfriend

Men are usually on good behavior early on (in the honeymoon stage) but there are some important things to look out for when beginning to date or questioning some patterns when already in a relationship.

This is particularly true where there is a large age gap and/or the woman is rather young or if the woman looks vulnerable (single, divorced, widowed, single parent, low self-esteem etc).

Here are some red flags, signs of manipulation and other troubled signs to look out for when dating or when in a relationship. Some of this is obvious behavior and some of this only becomes suspicious when it is coupled by other tactics.

With all things in life, be sure to talk to friends, focus on your mental health and don’t depend on others for validation, self-worth.

Related read: New To Online Dating, What To Expect From Dating Apps

Excessive Comments, Compliments -> Love-Bombing, Gaslighting On Dating Apps (Meanings, Examples), Negging On Dating Apps, The Danger Manipulative Love Bombing In Relationship

Men who are quick to compliment you on physical beauty, looks, physique, body, youth etc. can be employing a tactic called love bombing.

It’s a manipulation tactic whereby a person bombards the other with unusually high frequency of flattering compliments around looks. This is especially true if a guy can sense some insecurity, loneliness or doubt. Master manipulators are trained to identify such queues such as low self-esteem.

When it comes to dating older men, one unsettling set of compliments is focusing on youth and petite frame. Typically, men date younger women because women their own age no better than to put up with immature, childish behavior.

A guy who only dates women much younger than him should be a warning to all women. Girls who are still in school, inexperienced dating or are new in town are prime targets for such men.

How do you know if a guy is just using you? Unfortunately you never quite know which is why it is recommended to move slowly, ask questions, spend time together meet each other’s friends and family, look at actions not just empty promises in relationships.

Gaslighting is when a manipulator gets a victim to question their own reality i.e. victim-blaming, distorting reality in order to raise doubt in oneself often to crush self-esteem and confidence.

Related read: How To Report Someone On Dating Apps

Moving Too Quickly After Matching, Meeting – Early Signs Of A Controlling Man

Some guys like to move quickly whether it’s to hookup or to trap partners. By displaying compliments, making grand plans fairly early on during the dating process or communicating grand gestures.

This includes: You are the most beautiful woman I have dated, I could see us living together / getting married within 3 months or you are the girl of my dreams can seem welcoming but can be groundwork laid out to make you think he is committed or invested in this new relationship.

Words without time, effort, commitment, validation and trust are meaningless. If he say this to someone rather quickly, what makes you think you are the first one he has said this to?

Related read: Creepy Behavior On Dating Apps

Lack of Friends, Social Circles

Not everyone is a social butterfly. Not everyone has roots in the city they live in. Not everyone has an outgoing personality but if there is a pattern of hiding one’s past, dodging questions, and discomfort with certain questions being asked, take note.

Anonymity within dating apps is a main reason to explain bad behavior but it also can be used to hide issues from others offline.

A lack of social media presence, no phone calls or texts with friends are a couple ways to identify some possible red flags such as burnt bridges, the inability to have any resemblance of a healthy relationship with a human being.

Related read: What do your dating profile photos signal?

Red Flags In A Relationship: Isolation Tactics, Refusing To Meet With Others, Red Flags In A Relationship With A Man, Woman

A popular technique men use is isolation. This is done locally i.e only going on dates alone, refusing to meet friends and family, avoid social functions and being out in public. This could be for fear of running into an ex or avoiding social functions that require socializing, talking about one’s past, etc.

The more extreme version of this is suggesting to move or relocate to a remote area either small in size or away from anyone you might know.

This is done to make it difficult for one to have a foundation, be independent, know others or feel comfortable. Much dependency is needed, possibly one that is based on wealth.

Divide and conquer is the objective with such individuals.

Related read: Dating App Hobbies & Interests To Attract Others

Signs of Manipulation In A Relationship: Wealth, Options & Creating Dependency

If someone suggest that the other person quit their job or relocate or that he can provide and take care of you, be on alert. Creating a financial dependency is one of the main tactics master manipulators deploy to reduce options in their partners.

A lack of money and resources is one of the main reasons why some women are unable to leave their abusive partners. In some cases, they will grant you credit cards, debit cards and cell phones to monitor activity, travel and contacts.

Some countries make it extremely difficult to get divorces, get custody of kids or split assets fairly and evenly.

Related read: Are You Ready To Date?

Lies, Lies, Lies: Signs Of Manipulation From Men: How To Spot A Narcissist

Lies are sometimes hard to catch. Professional liars have honed their skills for years. With that said, asking questions, requesting details and verifying stories goes a long way.

If a person can’t trust their partner, that is already a red flag but a casual Google, Facebook search can reveal quite a bit. It’s not uncommon for people to mask lies with more and even bigger and more intricate lies. Always talk to others you trust for a gut check.

Related read: Common Lies Told On Dating Apps

Age Differences, Difference In Maturity, Self-Awareness and Development, Older Man Manipulation

It’s one thing to be 8 years apart i.e. 39 and 31, it’s another thing to be 29 and 21. Some men target vulnerable, impressionable, inexperienced girls as they are viewed as easier targets.

Some lies men tell women as to why they like younger women or don’t date women their age is that they are young, fit and want someone like them or because they are young at heart, or hard to keep up with.

In reality, women closer to their age are more experienced and know how to spot red flags more easily. They are more financially dependent, more emotionally secure and have developed roots and friendships.

Girls who are new to a city, are in debt, don’t know anyone can be more susceptible to older men. It’s not uncommon for men to be constantly rejected women closer to their age who are smarter, more aware of tactics and call them out on their shit.

Extreme Emotional Patterns, Volatility and Apologies – Signs Of Toxic Relationship

It’s one thing to have ups and downs, it’s another thing to psychologically abuse another human being by tearing them down and building them up.

Criticizing your lifestyle, simple choices and life decisions is one way men can bring down women in a relationship. If this is coupled by an immediate build up and repeat pattern, beware.

This classic manipulation tactic is rather dangerous as it provides momentary relief in a rather toxic relationship.

Some guys might go 180 and become emotionally distant if confronted and blame things on you and make you feel like the way you are treating them makes them the victim vs you. Keep your guard up but be open.

Controlling Relationship Red Flags: Intellectual Blaming, Signs of A Manipulative Man, Woman

Placing blame and referencing lack of experience, age, and maturity are ways manipulators prey on victims. Claiming things are not as they seem or done in a particular manner is a classic excuse.

Constantly attributing mistakes to age, life experience and knowledge is something to take note of. If something seems off or doesn’t make sense, talk to friends and family or seek out unbiased help from a therapist or mental health professional.

Often times these people will do anything to cut you off from others.

Gaslighting: Emotional Guilt Trips, Sowing Doubt, Toxic Traits & Emotional Abuse

The classic example guys use to place a guilt on women is to blame women for their actions by stating the reason they did X or Y is that they thought they would lose them, or they were neglected or thought things were over between them.

Flipping the tables and placing blame when being accused of something is an obvious signal of using one of these psychological tactics.

Downplaying your problems while playing up their problems is another way people try to shift blame in a relationship. One common phrase awful people use is “no one’s gonna love you”. It’s a pathetic attack to use when someone is being attached.

Toxic Manipulative Relationships: Emotional Blackmail, Harassment, Manipulative Personality

Threatening to release private information to the public in the event of a break up. Related to threat of self-inflicted hurt (threatening to hurt oneself if the partner leaves him or her).

These items are usually videos of sexual activities, photos of nude or suggestive poses, texts and private messages about jobs, careers, colleagues, churches or community-related involvement.

Manipulative Boyfriend Signs: Ultimatums, Threats & All Or Nothing: Partner Threatening To Break Up

If someone uses the line i.e. you’ll never meet someone at your age, you’ll never find someone who loves or takes care of you like I do, take note. Never accept ultimatums or threats. Relationships take effort, work, compromise.

Threatening to leave is never a good look and is a sign that the other person is using the stick (carrot vs the stick) approach to keep you around and suggest things will be worse off without them to support you, love you or make you feel unlovable.

Talks About Exes, Badmouths People In Their Lives

Someone who talks about their exes in a condescending manner or compares their current partner to their ex is not normal.

Occasionally something might slip in conversation but regularly comparing partners or criticizing them is a sign of immaturity at best, at worst a sign of negative behavior.

This is sometimes done to build sympathy for them so that you think you are a person they can trust and never be let down. It’s too much pressure to put on people, especially early on.

Manipulative Husband Signs: Manners In Public vs Private, With You vs Others, Examples of Manipulation In Relationships

Observing social behavior and reactions in public is a great way to learn about someone. Uncontrolled environments outside the home or alone require a skill set that signals maturity, character and empathy.

Driving on the road, walking by homeless people, interactions with servers, hanging out with kids, talking to drivers, and interactions with baristas are all simple, every day ways to observe how someone reacts to uncertainty, strangers and spontaneous events.

Difficult Situations: Arguments Are Personal, Are Avoided, Examples Of Manipulation In Relationships

No honest relationship is without its ups and downs. There will be times for difficult conversations. People show their true colors when things get tough.

Avoid confrontation, pretending situations don’t exist or attacking someone vs. addressing the issues at hand are ways guys try to get the upper hand.

Relationships require compromise, listening, patience, discussions and engagement.

Deleting Dating Apps, Profiles To Prove Commitment (Manipulative Behavior In A Relationship, Manipulative Behavior When Dating)

Some people will take the steps to illustrate they are interested and focused on a relationship with you. This might go beyond words and public displays of affection and include deleting apps and dating profiles. Take these actions with a grain of salt.

Deleting profile after one date can be an example of a love-bombing tactic or someone who is rather lonely, lacks emotional IQ or lacks dating experience.

Deleting the app after a period of time doesn’t mean the account was deleted, the person has another phone or that the person has another account on another app.

Don’t view these purposeful, target acts in isolation. Observe behavior, communication, consistency, public actions, as well as timing, patience, and queues from those around you.

How To Find Out If Your Boyfriend, Man, Husband Is On A Dating Site, Toxic Traits In A Relationship

Some apps like Bumble let a person go Incognito so that their profile is invisible to others. For guys who are in a relationship or married, this is an easy way to cover up tracks.

Payments are usually handled via credit card, apple pay or google wallet. Creating a fake profile and using travel mode to view profiles is one way to catch said cheaters.

How To Spot A Married Man On A Dating App, Why Would A Married Man Join A Dating Site

If the guy travels a lot, doesn’t spend holidays with you, doesn’t have social media, doesn’t like you taking photos and posting to social media or only likes to take you on secluded dates that are not public, take those as red flags. Guys don’t use dating apps to make friends nor network.

Do Manipulators Love You? What’s It Like Dating A Manipulator, Toxic Traits In Men, Toxic Traits In Women

No, they don’t love you. It’s awful. It can affect all aspects of your life and destroy your self-esteem and self-worth.

How To Beat A Manipulator In A Relationship? How To Manipulate A Manipulator In A Relationship, Toxic Traits In A Boyfriend, Toxic Traits In A Girlfriend

You don’t, or at least you shouldn’t. Why do you want to stay with the person?

Why Do I Attract Manipulators? Fuck Boys On Dating Apps, Pick Up Artists On Dating Apps, Pick Up Artist Techniques, Fuck Boy Red Flags, How To Spot A Fuck Boy

It could be that you ignore red flags, are lonely, are disarmed by love-bombing, have trouble with rejection people or you are attracted to words and bold signs of affection rather than the small sincere, sustained efforts that are needed for good, healthy relationships.

Rather than talk to guys that approach you, be proactive and talk to guys on your own. In my coaching sessions I help women ID manipulative behavior (much of which I can’t describe here because it would alert said guys)

Red Flags Of An Insecure Boyfriend, Emotionally Insecure Girlfriend Red Flags, 7 Signs Of A Toxic Relationship

Possible red flags include no friends, limited interests, thinks you still have feelings for your ex, says s/he loves you right away, love bombs you (you are my everything) or need for constant validation.

Other ones include: being jealous of your social circle, threatening to end the relationship, talking about how exes cheated on him/her, checking your phone, questioning fidelity, angry if s/he can’t see you every day or every time s/he wants to see you, can’t handle criticism and s/he is extremely moody.

Red Flags When Dating An Older Man

Older men are more confident and know how to prey on insecurity, self-doubt and lack of self-awareness. Women their age tend to not put up with their BS.

Are We Dating The Same Guy – Facebook Groups, Toxic People On Dating Apps, Toxic Men On Dating Sites, Toxic Guys Online Dating, Do Not Date Him, Do Not Date List Men

Check out local groups in your area to see if you are dating the same guy who is lying, married or abusive.

Signs Of A Toxic Girlfriend, Signs Of A Toxic Wife

A woman who constantly berates you, blames you for everything, never accepts responsibility and doesn’t want to work together to find solutions can all be signs of a toxic girlfriend. I will write more on this but please note, just like men, some women can be manipulative and destroy your self-esteem.

Dating App Narcissists – How To Spot Narcissists On Dating Sites, How To Spot A Narcissist On A Dating App

They never ask questions, seek attention and compliments, and they make everything about themselves.

Why Is My Boyfriend On Dating Apps? Why Is My Husband Using Dating Apps? Husband Is On Match, Boyfriend Is On Bumble; Using Dating Apps While In A Relationship

Some classic lies include making friends, forgot to delete my account or something. It is easy to delete a profile or account. There is no need to login, have an account.

Guys might hide their profile on match.com (limiting who can see their profile). Similarly, guys can hide their profile on Bumble so that only women they like can see their profile (Incognito mode).

What To Do If You Catch Your Boyfriend On A Dating Site, What To Do If You Catch Your Wife On A Dating App, What To Do If You Catch Your Husband On Bumble

Screenshot the profile, make sure all the details are captured (bio, prompts and photos). It is possible the profile is old or someone created a profile using public photos (unlikely but possible). You will only get once chance to figure this out – you can ask your bf/husband what are they doing on a dating app (they might then turn the tables on you and ask why are you on said apps).

The other approach is to find a friend that he doesn’t know and is attractive and see if she can get him to meet up a date with him via the app. If you don’t trust your bf/husband, likely your relationship is over but if you want definitive proof for purposes of a divorce settlement, this might be a way to do that.

Final Thoughts – Classic Traits Of Manipulative Partner, People, Controlling Men & Women, Controlling Men, Controlling Women, How To Stop Manipulation In A Relationship, How To Recognize And Handle Manipulation In Relationships

Relationships take work. Things are never perfect but understanding what is acceptable and ok take awareness, social circles, research and communication.

It takes two people to make relationships grow and prosper. It takes one person to ruin a relationship. Don’t ignore red flags. Don’t enter relationships looking to fill a void or to avoid being lonely.

Master manipulators know how to target vulnerable targets i.e. divorcees, lack of friends, single parents, depression, lack of self-esteem, loneliness, and more. If you need help, talk to friends, family and other resources. They exist for people who need help getting out of these situations. You can’t change a manipulator – don’t try to think they will change for you. If you want to stop manipulation in a relationship, leave.

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Additional Reading: Deceit, Lies, Ghosting & Manipulation Tactics Guys Use, Break Up Threats, Threatening To Leave, Red Flags In A Relationship With A Man, Male Manipulator Bingo, Online Dating Is Toxic

Online Dating Red Flags – Red Flags In Profiles, Messages & More

Online Dating Resource Guide (studies, surveys, market research, books, podcasts & more)

How To Report Profiles On Dating Apps – How To Report People On Bumble, Hinge

Psychological Effects, Dangers Of Online Dating – Mental Health & Dating Apps

Biggest Mistakes Women Make On Dating Apps – Common Assumptions Made, Myths Debunked

Online Dating Background Checks – How To Screen Dates, Matches

Lying About Age On Dating Apps – Is Lying About Age Ok? Do Women, Men Care?

How To Spot Fake Dating Profiles and Photos – How To ID Fake Profiles On Bumble, Hinge

Most Common Lies On Dating Sites – Age, Location, Height, Intentions & More

Misleading Dating Profile Photos – Misleading Dating App Photos

Worst Dating Profile Photos – Bad Dating Profiles On Hinge, Bumble

Online Dating Slang Terms – Dating App Lingo, Terms, Urban Dictionary Definitions

Online Dating 101 – Dating App FAQ For Those New To Dating Apps

Dating Apps Scams, Types Of Online Dating Scams – Tinder Scams & More