People Reveal 39 Professions That Would Be Dealbreakers In A Potential Partner

To explore the topic further, Reddit userStupidis_Stupidoesinvited everyone on the platform to list the professions that would keep them from dating someone.

Whether it’s due to differences in values or incompatible lifestyles, continue scrolling to check out the listed careers, and don’t miss the chat we had on relationships with Dr. Holly Schiff—you will find it between the submissions.

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Any kind of influencer if you can even call that a profession.

Person in blue recording video on phone with a ring light, illustrating professions seen as relationship red flags.

Anything church related.

Empty church pews illuminated by soft window light, reflecting solitude and contemplation about professions.

To learn more about deal breakers in possible partners, we got in touch with Holly Schiff, Psy.D., who is a licensed clinical psychologist in Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island, as well as a registered telehealth psychologist in Florida.“I would define a red flag in dating as anything that signals a potential problem in a relationship,” she toldBored Panda. “This can be a behavior, trait, or a sign that indicates something may become unhealthy, toxic, unsafe, or incompatible in the long term. Red flags usually point to something that may cause us harm physically, emotionally or mentally.“Of course, not every red flag automatically means a relationship will fail or that you should end things with that person, but ignoring them can definitely lead to significant challenges, or even potential danger down the line,” Schiff explained.

“I would define a red flag in dating as anything that signals a potential problem in a relationship,” she toldBored Panda. “This can be a behavior, trait, or a sign that indicates something may become unhealthy, toxic, unsafe, or incompatible in the long term. Red flags usually point to something that may cause us harm physically, emotionally or mentally.

“Of course, not every red flag automatically means a relationship will fail or that you should end things with that person, but ignoring them can definitely lead to significant challenges, or even potential danger down the line,” Schiff explained.

I hate saying it but police officers. 90% are attracted to the job for power reasons and I tend to not like their personalities. .

Police officer monitoring a street scene, suggesting relationship red flags tied to certain professions.

No politicians, period.

Two businessmen in suits discussing at a conference table with an American flag, related to relationship red flags in professions.

A YouTube prankster.

A woman recording herself on a smartphone, discussing relationship red flags.

Schiff said that, generally speaking, the weight you place on a potential partner’s job should depend upon the context of the relationship and the values you and the other person have.“While a job isn’t necessarily a red flag, it can play a role in compatibility based on lifestyle, values, or interests,” the psychologist explained.“If someone has a job where they need to travel a lot, this may not be a good fit or match for someone looking to maintain a close connection and spend quality time together.”

Schiff said that, generally speaking, the weight you place on a potential partner’s job should depend upon the context of the relationship and the values you and the other person have.

“While a job isn’t necessarily a red flag, it can play a role in compatibility based on lifestyle, values, or interests,” the psychologist explained.

“If someone has a job where they need to travel a lot, this may not be a good fit or match for someone looking to maintain a close connection and spend quality time together.”

Any job requiring high pressure sales. Those jobs attract a certain type of person I don’t like.

Man in a suit holding a laptop, representing a profession often considered a relationship red flag, standing on a city street.

Any profession that makes them a celebrity. I thoroughly enjoy not being in any spotlight.

Celebrity surrounded by photographers and fans, a scene often deemed a relationship red flag due to media attention.

As someone who’s bartended for ages, bartenders are very hard to date. Getting off work as late as 4 a.m., the culture, it’s hard to find someone outside the industry who can put up with it, and equally hard to find someone within who you can be healthy with.

Bartender mixing a drink in a dimly lit bar, highlighting a profession some view as a relationship red flag.

However, as with many things in life, there’s often more than meets the eye.“People can also be the exception to rule in certain jobs or professions, so it is also important to not stereotype and paint with a broad brush,” Schiff said.“We can’t make assumptions based purely on their profession. How do they manage their work-life balance? Do they value the relationship? Does their profession align with your values, lifestyle, and long-term goals? If not, it may signal potential challenges, but of course, a person’s job should be weighed alongside other factors.”

However, as with many things in life, there’s often more than meets the eye.

“People can also be the exception to rule in certain jobs or professions, so it is also important to not stereotype and paint with a broad brush,” Schiff said.

“We can’t make assumptions based purely on their profession. How do they manage their work-life balance? Do they value the relationship? Does their profession align with your values, lifestyle, and long-term goals? If not, it may signal potential challenges, but of course, a person’s job should be weighed alongside other factors.”

Any fake profession - chiropractors, televangelists, mlm,Also police.

Person receiving a massage therapy session, a potential dealbreaker profession in a partner relationship.

Some spiritual b******t scam.

Person meditating on a beach, wearing a white shirt and purple leggings, focusing on relaxation and mindfulness.

Military. I graduated high school 2003 and saw tons of my friends deployed and friend’s significant others be deployed and couldn’t imagine the stress. Also not having control over your life and where you live.

Person in military uniform, standing outdoors, wearing a cap, related to professions and dealbreakers in relationships.

When it comes to men between the ages of 18 and 34, the biggest turn-off is people who identify as communist (64%), but they also have a problem with those who have no hobbies (60%), as well as MAGA Republicans (59%).

Also, half of men, 53%, say they want a relationship, according to a 2024 Tinderreport, and a whopping 68% of women say the same. However, almost all respondents—91% of men and 94% of women—say dating is difficult. To help each other, we should be able to see not just the minuses but the pluses as well.

Person browsing photos on a smartphone, sitting on a bed with a keyboard and camera nearby; professions discussed online.

Musician…I can confirm this as a musician :/.

Musician passionately playing electric guitar on stage, symbolizing a relationship red flag profession.

Self-help/motivational guru probably or any other charlatan/snake oil type of profession because it means we will have many conflicts and incompatibilities over science.

Microphone on a stand in an empty conference room, representing professions as dealbreakers in relationships.

Man stressed at desk with notebook and laptop, related to relationship red flag professions.

“I think that both red flags and green flags are important in dating, but in different ways,” Schiff added.“Red flags serve as warning signs, to help us avoid potentially harmful, painful, or incompatible relationships. Spot these early on to protect yourself from an unhealthy dynamic or partnership.“However, green flags represent positive qualities and can guide your choice to move forward in pursuing a relationship with someone. It is critical to be aware of red flags, but I feel like it is equally important to focus on the green flags,” the psychologist said.“These are signals that show a person has the qualities that make for a healthy, successful, and compatible relationship. Ideally, we look for a balance — red flags are indications of where things could go wrong, but green flags highlight for us where the potential for something good and positive exists,” she reiterated.Scrolling through lists such as this one, it can start to seem like virtually everyone can have red flags placed on them. But that’s the point. We are all different and so are our preferences. Ultimately, we have to listen to our own instincts and values to find lasting love.

“I think that both red flags and green flags are important in dating, but in different ways,” Schiff added.

“Red flags serve as warning signs, to help us avoid potentially harmful, painful, or incompatible relationships. Spot these early on to protect yourself from an unhealthy dynamic or partnership.

“However, green flags represent positive qualities and can guide your choice to move forward in pursuing a relationship with someone. It is critical to be aware of red flags, but I feel like it is equally important to focus on the green flags,” the psychologist said.

“These are signals that show a person has the qualities that make for a healthy, successful, and compatible relationship. Ideally, we look for a balance — red flags are indications of where things could go wrong, but green flags highlight for us where the potential for something good and positive exists,” she reiterated.

Scrolling through lists such as this one, it can start to seem like virtually everyone can have red flags placed on them. But that’s the point. We are all different and so are our preferences. Ultimately, we have to listen to our own instincts and values to find lasting love.

No matter the profession, someone who’s job would require to travel a lot, like far abroad and for longer periods, would definitely not be my preference and probably a show stopper.

Person on a plane, silhouetted against the window light, using a phone; relating to professions and relationship red flags.

Any job that:1. required them to be away for months at a time or extensive travel2. Any job that had really unstable income month-to-month.my g/f’s job right now is perfect: she works 4 days a week, 10 hours a day, always the same start/stop time, every friday/sat/sun is off. It makes planning stuff super easy.

Person holding an empty wallet in an outdoor setting, wearing a plaid shirt, symbolizing relationship red flag professions.

Pilot. Worked for an airline once upon a time and not one of those f*****s was faithful to his wife. And more than one had a ‘mistress’ in an Asian country. Filthy bastards they were.

Pilot flying helicopter over coastal landscape, illustrating professions viewed as relationship red flags.

School teacher. It’s just changed too much and they carry such a heavy burden all the time. I’m not sure when the switch happened from Teachers/Parents as a partnership to Teachers VS Parents, but that is in the top 5 of worst things ever. My mom saw it coming and I’m glad both of my parents got out of teaching with their mental health, physical health, and reputations intact.Teachers today seem like they are in a no win situation.

Gavel on a desk symbolizing professions considered dealbreakers in relationships.

Physician. I dated a surgeon for 3 years in my 20s. Terrible hours, so much drama, so much ego. Nurses throwing themselves at him every day. I later went to nursing school myself and have never, ever been tempted to date a doctor.

Medical professional in scrubs and mask attending to a patient in an operating room, illustrating relationship red flags in professions.

Dangerous professions or professions that keep them away from the home for awhile (military, firefighter, cop, etc).

Firefighter gear and helmet on concrete steps, showcasing a profession as a potential relationship dealbreaker.

Priest.

Person in religious attire with incense, often seen as a relationship red flag profession, inside a church setting.

Sales.

People Reveal 39 Professions That Would Be Dealbreakers In A Potential Partner

I’m a massage therapist, one of my friends (also massage therapist) started seeing a guy and he said he wasn’t sure he was totally comfortable with her doing massage and would she consider finding another job?And that was the end of that budding romance.

Massage therapist giving a relaxing back massage outdoors, related to relationship red flags.