How to spot troubled men on social media

A 2013 study found that nearly a third of modern couples met on social media, in a chat, on a themed forum or on dating sites. Communication over the Internet has become commonplace: we are no longer afraid that there is a murderer on the other side of the monitor. But the fact that there is increasing trust in this type of relationship does not, of course, eliminate the risk of meeting troubled people on the Internet or in an app.

O awesome.club invites you to see what types of profiles can cause a lot of headache in a relationship. Check it out and don’t get into these stolen.

Photograph: Several photos with the bare chest: on the beach, in the pool or simply at home. Body photos without the face.

Information: Age and place of work (often invented high position). They usually say that they will only be in their city for 3 days, and that they are looking for a company to “have a good time”.

How it behaves: You’ll write that you fell in love at first sight, or that you’re not like the others. You can also speak directly about your intentions, offer to go to a restaurant and then to a hotel or your home. Or even make strange insinuations: “Do you like adventures?”, “How far are you willing to go?”

What to do: Ignore the messages. If you’re not reluctant to “have a good time” with a stranger, remember to take care of your safety; for example, tell a friend where and when you are going.

Photograph: With pets, almost always dogs. Photos with younger brothers/sisters, nephews, friends’ children.

Information: In case you still haven’t understood his immense love for animals and children, he will repeat it in his profile description.

How it behaves: The Internet is full of posts that say that pet owners are wonderful family men. That’s why some use dogs as a front, to create the feeling that they are good and attentive. They hope to blind you with their virtues so that your flaws go unnoticed.

What to do: Try to talk as little about animals and children as possible to test if the guy is really a ‘family’ guy. The personality traits that the man hides can become an unpleasant surprise for you later on.

Photograph: Gadgets and muscles, walking and football. Or selfies at a vegetarian cafe.

Information: You can mention that you are looking for a woman with no bad habits, who gets up very early or feeds on the energy of the sun.

How it behaves: He will talk about his sporting achievements or spiritual practices: yoga, meditation, lucid dreaming.

What to do: There is nothing wrong with a healthy lifestyle, but everything should be in moderation. This type of person can expect from you acceptance and a total fusion with their lifestyle: wake up at 5 am and run or receive the energies of the first rays of sun. But is there anything real about these people or is their way of life just a mask that hides a void?

Photograph: At costume parties, in strange poses, in strange places, group photos with strange friends.

Information: The absurd and the shocking, bizarre humor for you to not understand.

How it behaves: Often starts the conversation in an unconventional way; you can ask a weird question to confuse her and show her creativity.

What to do: Surely you have a lot of worries in your life, why would you want one more?

Photos: In clubs and nightclubs, of course.

Information: “You only live once”, “I love to party”, “always young, eternally drunk”.

How it behaves: This type of man will compliment you and ask you where to “party”, as well as tell you stories about your life, showing your recklessness.

What to do: If you’re looking for a serious relationship, don’t waste your time. This behavior is characteristic of emotionally immature people who cannot make adult decisions and do not think about tomorrow.

Photograph: “Me in the car” “Me beside the car.” “This is my car.”

Information: For what? If you can already see that he has a car.

How it behaves: “Hello kitty, want to go for a walk?” And things like that.

What to do: If a person has the money to buy and maintain a car, that is certainly a good thing. But if you don’t have anything else to be proud of, then it’s worth thinking about whether this is the kind of partner you’re looking for.

Photograph: All professionals in incredible landscapes of different cities in the background.

Information: Hard to fit everything: sports, travel, photography, help for the needy, cooking and gastronomy.

How it behaves: All your interests, by “pure coincidence”, will be similar. If you say you love to cook, he’ll tell you how he tries out new recipes every weekend. Do you like to draw? He too. His works are even awarded.

What to do: There are no ideal people. This type of man simply wants to look ideal, boost his self-esteem, and receive constant approval, which indicates serious psychological problems. Most likely, he’s a malicious manipulator and a narcissist, so don’t be fooled by his pseudo-perfection.

Photos and information: Common. Might mention that he’s not married.

How it behaves: It is online only during working hours and never after 6pm. Will try to get intimate details from you or ask for nudes.

What to do: Ask him directly what he wants or cut off communication. Most likely, this is an ordinary office worker who has nothing to do. You probably have a wife and kids, and the whole office is looking at your pictures and smirking at you.

Photos and information: They do not exist or are clearly copied from the internet.

How it behaves: Default messages, as if they were copied and pasted (and most likely, they are). He may call you by another name, because he sent the same message to someone else before. Sends you a link and makes an excuse for you to click on it. Or writes that he has no photos and offers to communicate over Skype.

What to do: The guy is probably a scammer and has no interest in a relationship; just his money. Do not click on the link if you do not want to see a zero balance in your bank account.

Photograph: In all its splendor.

Information: Good place to work, a long list of virtues, possible intrigue.

How it behaves: Instead of a simple “Hello,” you’ll read, “Baby, aren’t your parents gardeners by any chance? So where did they get such a beautiful rose?” These terrible ways of flirting today are taught by millions of gurus, but in reality they don’t make any sense.

What to do: Before saying goodbye, you can dazzle him with a good joke.

Photos and information: A list of qualities and a broken heart.

How it behaves: Will do everything possible to look good and pleasant. If you don’t respond to his messages for a while or refuse an appointment, recriminations and complaints will start that all women are the same and that you rejected him without even knowing him.

What to do: Think about your problems, not those of others. This behavior is characteristic of narcissists: they play victims and believe that everyone owes them something. If you don’t want to fray your nerves, stop communicating. You can advise him to see a psychologist, but he will not listen.

Photos and information: Nothing flashy.

How it behaves: Your profile may not cause suspicion, and the caller first seems sincere and interested. But when you’re busy, you’ll text her, call or insult her for not responding. Or you will become manipulative: you will start by actively listening and giving praise, but what you are really doing is looking for your weaknesses. Then it will disappear completely. This is a clever trick: now you’ll be the one who starts worrying and filling him with messages, and he’ll let some time pass before he “softens” and rewards you for your efforts. It can twist your words and deny your actions.

What to do: If you notice that the dialogue is being turned into a monologue or that you are first treated warmly and then suddenly coldly, say calmly and firmly that you want to stop the communication. If what happens next are threats and insults, block it.

Although online dating is now very popular, it is difficult to know a person by their social media profile. And the first impression is often misleading.

Psychologist Meredith Golden, a relationship expert, advises paying attention to men who set up dates at a convenient time for you, who can have an interesting conversation, who want to find out something about you and not just talk about themselves.

Conversation with a normal person usually starts with a calm greeting, not an inappropriate joke or a flirtatious trick. Follow communication with people who do not hide information about your place of work, your age, your marital status and your goals.

Is that you? Have you ever met someone online? And if so, did this date come close to turning into a wedding?