DO THIS IN THE TALKING STAGE

When you're in the talking stage with someone new, it's important to set clear expectations early on. One major pet peeve many people share is when the other person doesn’t follow through on their words. For instance, if they say they'll call or make plans but consistently fail to do so, it signals a red flag. I’ve found that addressing these small behaviors upfront helps avoid misunderstandings later. I also recommend openly discussing your dealbreakers during this phase. For me, procrastination and not honoring commitments are dealbreakers because they reflect reliability. Bringing these up in conversation helps gauge if the other person respects your values. Moreover, watch for actions that don’t match words. Someone promising a lot but delivering little can waste your time and emotional energy. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarity if something feels off—it’s better to know sooner rather than later. Finally, patience is key, but so is knowing when to walk away. If repeated issues arise without improvement, it’s a sign to reconsider continuing. Trust grows from consistency, so focusing on tangible actions rather than empty promises will help your relationship start on the right foot.