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The Ick Factor: 15 Things That Instantly Turn Women Off in Dating
Dating in the 2020s is like scrolling TikTok—fast, chaotic, and full of cringe potential. And nothing hits harder than the “ick.” You know, that sudden, unexplainable repulsion that sneaks up when he does… that thing. One second he’s cute and flirty, the next you’re questioning everything because he clapped when the plane landed or called his mom “mommy.”
The ick isn’t always logical. It’s not about hating someone—it’s about those tiny behaviors or vibes that throw the entire attraction into the abyss. And if you’re a woman dating men? Oh, the list is long.
Let’s get into the most common ick factors women experience, based on real convos, viral posts, and pure vibes.
1. The "Podcast Bro" Persona
He starts every sentence with “actually…” and tries to debate you about topics he just Googled. Bonus ick if he quotes Joe Rogan or calls himself a “free thinker.”
“Once he said ‘not all men’ in a convo about safety, I was out.” — Talia, 23, Chicago
2. Poor Hygiene Disguised as "Chill"
There’s a difference between low-maintenance and you haven’t cleaned your bathroom in 3 months. Not brushing teeth before bed? Wearing the same socks two days in a row? Immediate ick.
3. Clapping When the Plane Lands
We get it. You survived turbulence. But clapping like you’re in a school play? Yeah, it’s giving secondhand embarrassment.
4. Weird Texting Habits
Sending “k” instead of “ok,” replying with dry one-word answers, or adding too many emojis like 😜🔥💦 in one go? Communication matters—and so does vibe.
5. Arguing with Fast Food Workers
If he’s rude to service workers, that’s not just an ick—that’s a red flag. Being “hangry” doesn’t justify treating people like NPCs.
6. Chasing You Like a Mission, Then Giving Up Fast
Men who love the chase but not the follow-through? ick. If his energy changes the second you show interest, girl, he wasn’t into you—he liked the game.
7. Obsessing Over Crypto
We’re not saying don’t invest. But if all he talks about is altcoins, NFTs, and his imaginary “passive income,” you’re dating a walking Reddit thread.
8. Calling Other Men "Kings" While Trashing Women
He preaches “men should be kings” but doesn’t even know how to do laundry or schedule a dentist appointment. Toxic masculinity in a snapback? Ick.
9. Instagram Influencer Vibes
Too many gym selfies, “rise and grind” quotes, or shirtless pics with motivational captions? If he’s dating his ring light more than you, no thanks.
10. Overexplaining Basic Things
You mention liking The Last of Us and suddenly he’s breaking down the game lore like you didn’t already finish it before him. It's giving ✨mansplaining✨.
11. Wearing Flip-Flops in Public (Not at the Beach)
There’s something about a man in flip-flops walking confidently in a Target that’s… unsettling. It’s not fair. But it’s the truth.
12. Being Weirdly Competitive
Whether it’s bowling, Mario Kart, or trivia night, if he has to win and throws a tantrum when he doesn’t? That’s a 2011 Xbox lobby energy. Grow up.
13. Calling His Ex "Crazy" Without Context
Newsflash: if every single ex is “toxic,” maybe you’re the common denominator. It’s okay to have complicated breakups—but blaming all of them? Major ick.
14. Refusing to Use an Umbrella
Some guys treat umbrellas like they’ll revoke their man card. Walking through a storm, drenched, just to “tough it out” is not a flex. You’re just… wet.
15. Asking for Nudes Before Asking About Your Day
If his first instinct is “send pics” instead of “how’s your mental health,” he's not ready for a relationship. He’s ready for a block.
Why the Ick Hits So Hard
The ick isn’t just about nitpicking. It’s about how the tiniest behavior can shift the entire perception of someone. Attraction is fragile—and for women especially, safety, emotional intelligence, and respect play huge roles in keeping that spark alive.
When a guy gives the ick, it’s often because he unintentionally reveals a mindset or value that clashes hard with yours. That can’t be unseen. And yeah, sometimes it’s just shallow (see: flip-flops), but other times it’s your intuition saying, “Nope, not this one.”
Can You Recover From an Ick?
Rarely. Once it’s there, it’s hard to un-feel it. That’s the thing about the ick—it’s not a slow fade. It’s a mental ick switch that flips, and suddenly every text feels cringe.
But hey, it’s also okay to laugh about it. Some icks are universal, others are hyper-specific, but they all give insight into what we really want—and don’t want—in a partner.
Stay tapped into the world of dating, red flags, and Gen Z realness with Woke Waves Magazine.
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