How Can I Judge Someone’s Character on a Date?

Bethany Heinesh

Written by: Bethany Heinesh

Bethany Heinesh

Bethany has ghost-written hundreds of dating articles in the last 10 years for relationship experts all over the United States.

Edited by: Lillian Castro

Lillian Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of journalism experience to ensure DatingAdvice articles have been edited for overall clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, The Gwinnett Daily News, and The Gainesville Sun covering lifestyle topics.

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Judging someone’s character is difficult and certainly not something you can accomplish after one or two dates. It can take a lifetime to truly get to know someone and understand what makes them tick. Even then, do we ever really know someone?

Nevertheless, there are certain cues you can look for when you’re on a date to determine at least some important aspects of his personality. For instance, if your date is rude or condescending to your server, he’s a jerk who will eventually talk to you that way. If he opens your doors and pulls out your chairs, he’s got some class. See how well he tips. If he tips well, he’s a generous guy who recognizes the value of rewarding someone for their hard work. If not, he’s stingy.

Pay attention to how much he drinks, and keep in mind that he’s on his best behavior. If you see that he drinks too much, he’s got a drinking problem. Listen intently to what he talks about. You’ll learn the most from the information he volunteers in casual conversation.

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