Firstly, let's look at what an "ick" is. An "ick" is an involuntary moment of realization that completely alters your feelings for someone.
They are rather personal yet definitely irrational and off-putting moments that change your feelings for the person entirely. If anything, an ick is a less red, rather pink flag that will cause you to run as fast, and sometimes even faster than a red flag will (because, let's face it, how red is red sometimes? And we are rather blind to the red).
Now keep in mind, icks understand no logic, but our reactions to them are very strong. Icks are subjective from person to person; what’s an ick for me won’t be anything to the other person.
So, heed with care, especially during your early stages of dating. Dating is the getting-to-know phase where everything is light and fun, and where anything can go from zero to a hundred or vice versa. So, I asked some of my friends what their biggest icks were, and I included some of mine too.
1. When Your Date Is Rude to Waiters
I mean, come on. Being a decent human to everyone is an absolute must, especially to waiters who serve your food. When a person is rude to waiters, it sends a terrible message that the person thinks people with certain jobs are seen as low class and deserve no respect, which should never be the case.
2. When Your Date Is a Bad Driver and Has Terrible Road Rage
I can’t go anywhere with a person who is a bad driver, and the worst is when I ask them to drive carefully, they'll be like, "you don’t trust me?" Um, yes, with your terrible driving, I don’t. Oh, and then, because of their carelessness, when they get into messes and have the ugliest road rage breakdown, it’s so embarrassing. I’ve wanted to get off the bike and walk away forever, but of course, I couldn’t. So I came home and never spoke to them again.
3. Guys Who Txt Lyk Dis and With Bad Grammar
Both are absolute no-nos. Nothing is getting wet with that. And the conversation is done sooner than it started.
4. Cocky Guys
Who can’t help but think they are the shit, constantly bragging and talking about how successful, good and nice they are? Um, personal opinion, but if you were THAT good and THAT nice, you wouldn’t really have to keep saying it.
5. Guys Who Have Way Too Many Selfies on Their Feed
I don’t exactly know why I hate this, but I do. Um, if bro is more obsessed with himself than anything else, nope. And my friend told me there was this one guy who would show her pictures of himself and say things like “reethi dho?” broooo. No.
6. When Your Date Shows up in Those Skinny Pants With Elastic on the Bottom
I can’t run away faster. Just NO. never understood them. Don’t understand colorful skinnies or skinnies at all. They are OVER. Like us if you show up in either of these. And oh god, the ripped skinnies. BYE.
7. Guys With No Ambition
Those who are BROKE but don’t even want to work? As if they have no purpose in life. Bye. Ain’t no way I'm building a life with someone like that. So there’s no point in dating either. It's such a turn-off. And these guys would definitely ask you for money too.
8. Bad Personal Hygiene
Oh, this one is BROAD. Stinky breath, unkempt nails on both hands and feet. Doesn’t shower or change clothes nearly enough. There’s no way those hands are getting inside me, ever. BYE.
9. Not Good to Their Families
This is a must for me. If you’re shit to your mother or family, that says so much about who you are. I have a complicated relationship with my family, but being shit to them is something I would never do. So those with complicated family dimensions, I get you. But there should always be respect and love for family.
10. Splitting Bills on the First Date
Okay, this applies for men who are 23 and older. Cuz when you’re young and starting out in life, it's okay to not have enough money for a full-on date. But BRO, if you're 23 and older and asking your date to split the bill of the first date, NOOOO. It’s also an exception if you’ve been dating for a while and then split from time to time or take turns handling the bill.
And Here Are Some Other Crowd-Sourced Icks
(These might make you laugh, but they are very serious)
• Toe hairs • Seeing men with girls they don’t deserve • Men breathing • Big Mama’s boy • Being stingy with everything, and not paying for dates, and requesting to split the bill • Living in a complete mess • Chewing loudly • Chewing with mouth open • Acting like a child • Emotionally unavailable • Smoking • Overbearing and rude • Men claiming to not know basic skills (cooking, cleaning, taking care of their own kids) • When they lie about things they have absolutely no reason to lie about
And if there are any guys who are deeply offended by these, send your girl icks to us, and we’ll write about them too for your sake. All we ever want is for men and women to get along, and some of these conversations are absolutely necessary.
And on that note, Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Get yourself a date or love yourself even harder. ❤️