9 Icebreakers for Red Flags in Chats A Humorous Guide to Not Getting Scammed
9 Icebreakers for Red Flags in Chats: A Humorous Guide to Not Getting Scammed
Welcome to the wild world of online dating‚ where swiping right can sometimes mean swiping right into a dumpster fire! But fear not‚ dear reader‚ for we’ve got your back with this humorous guide to spotting red flags in chats. As the great philosopher‚ Dolly Parton‚ once said‚ “If you want the rainbow‚ you gotta put up with the rain.” Well‚ we’re here to help you avoid getting rained on by a scammer or two (or ten). So‚ buckle up and let’s dive into the art of not getting catfished!
The Art of Not Getting Catfished: A Crash Course
Catfishing: it’s like a bad game of telephone‚ but instead of whispering‚ they’re lying to your face! To avoid becoming a catfishing victim‚ you need to be sharp and sassy. As the saying goes‚ “trust your instincts‚ unless you’re dating‚ then trust nothing and no one.” Seriously though‚ if something feels off‚ it probably is. So‚ take a deep breath‚ put on your detective hat‚ and let’s get started on this crash course to avoid getting catfished!
- Be cautious of overly flattering messages
- Watch out for vague or evasive answers
- Don’t be afraid to ask for proof (yes‚ even a video call)
Stay safe‚ stay sassy‚ and keep on swiping!
Icebreaker #1: “What’s Your Favorite Hobby?” (Or‚ How to Spot a Fake Profile)
Asking about someone’s favorite hobby is like asking a super fun question that can reveal their true identity… or not. If they claim to love hiking but can’t tell you the difference between a trail mix and a snack mix‚ you might be dealing with a profile faker! On the other hand‚ if they’re super passionate about collecting antique teapots‚ you might be dealing with a unique snowflake (in a good way… we hope). As the great comedian‚ Groucho Marx‚ once said‚ “I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.” Well‚ we say‚ “I refuse to date anyone who can’t tell me about their favorite hobby!”
Red flags to watch out for:
- Vague or generic answers (e.g.‚ “I like to stay active”)
- Overly elaborate or suspiciously perfect stories
- No follow-through on their claimed hobby (e.g.‚ “I’m a professional rock climber” but can’t describe a recent climb)
Icebreaker #2: “What’s the Best Advice You’ve Ever Received?” (Or‚ How to Detect a Scammer)
Asking about the best advice someone’s ever received is like asking them to spill the tea on their personal growth. If they’re a scammer‚ they’ll likely give you a generic‚ feel-good quote that sounds like it was ripped straight from a fortune cookie. But if they’re the real deal‚ they’ll share a personal‚ heartfelt story that shows they’ve actually been around the block a few times. As the saying goes‚ “If it sounds too good (or too generic) to be true‚ it probably is!”
Watch out for:
- Advice that’s suspiciously vague or cliché (e.g.‚ “Be true to yourself”)
- Stories that seem overly rehearsed or copied from a self-help book
- Responses that make you feel like you’re reading a motivational poster instead of having a real conversation
If you’re not getting a genuine response‚ it might be time to swipe left on that conversation!
Icebreaker #3: “What’s Your Go-To Karaoke Song?” (Or‚ How to Gauge Their Sense of Humor)
Karaoke is like the litmus test of a person’s sense of humor – if they’re willing to embarrass themselves in front of strangers‚ they’re probably okay in our book! Asking about their go-to karaoke jam can give you a glimpse into their quirky side (or lack thereof). As comedian Mitch Hedberg once said‚ “I’m against picketing‚ but I don’t know how to show it.”
If their karaoke song of choice is:
- A total dad joke (e.g.‚ “I Will Survive” or “Don’t Stop Believin'”)‚ they’re probably a fun-loving weirdo
- A ridiculously hard-to-sing song (e.g.‚ “Bohemian Rhapsody”)‚ they’re either a total rockstar or a tone-deaf menace
- A song that’s completely uncool (e.g.‚ “The Chicken Dance”)‚ they’re either a genius or a total goofball
Either way‚ it’s a fun way to gauge their sense of humor and see if you’re compatible – or if you’re just two weirdos who belong together!
Icebreaker #4: “What’s the Craziest Thing You’ve Ever Done on a Dare?” (Or‚ How to Spot a Risk-Taker)
Daredevils and wildcards – we either love ’em or run! Asking about their craziest dare can give you a glimpse into their level of reckless abandon (or sanity). As Jim Carrey once said‚ “I’m not a risk-taker‚ I’m a calculated risk-taker… just kidding‚ I’m a risk-taker!”
If their dare story involves:
- Eating something disgusting‚ they might be a thrill-seeker (or have a questionable stomach)
- Doing something ridiculous in public‚ they’re either a natural-born performer or a total weirdo
- Breaking the law (or almost)‚ you might want to proceed with caution (or a lawyer on speed dial)
Either way‚ it’s a fun way to gauge their level of adventurousness and see if you’re comfortable with their brand of crazy! Just remember‚ a little recklessness can be fun – but you don’t want to end up on a reality TV show!
Icebreaker #5: “What’s Your Favorite Way to Spend a Sunday?” (Or‚ How to Detect a Slacker)
Sundays are for self-care‚ binge-watching‚ or maybe even adulting (if you’re feeling fancy)! Asking about their Sunday vibes can reveal whether they’re a Netflix-and-chill kind of person or a rise-and-shine early bird. As the great philosopher‚ Garry Shandling‚ once said‚ “I’m addicted to placebo. I could quit‚ but it wouldn’t make a difference.”
If their answer involves:
- Marathons of their favorite show‚ they might be a seasoned procrastinator
- Sleeping in till noon‚ they’re either a night owl or a professional sleeper
- Doing absolutely nothing productive‚ you might be dealing with a certified slacker (in the best possible way)
This icebreaker is a great way to gauge their work-life balance (or lack thereof). Just don’t expect them to change their ways just because you’re around – unless you’re a miracle worker!
Icebreaker #6: “What’s the Most Spontaneous Thing You’ve Ever Done?” (Or‚ How to Spot a Thrill-Seeker)
Are they a wild child or a creature of habit? Asking about their most spontaneous moment can reveal whether they’re a thrill-seeker or a stick-in-the-mud. As the saying goes‚ “You can’t be spontaneous if you’re always planning everything;” But‚ let’s be real‚ some people’s idea of spontaneity is trying a new coffee flavor!
If their answer involves:
- Quitting their job to travel the world‚ they’re either brave or insane
- Singing in a karaoke bar‚ they might be a secret rockstar
- Something ridiculously mundane‚ you might be dealing with a thrill-seeker in disguise (or not)
This icebreaker is a great way to gauge their level of adventurousness. Just be prepared for some wild stories (or not-so-wild stories‚ we won’t judge).
Icebreaker #7: “What’s Your Go-To Order at a Coffee Shop?” (Or‚ How to Detect a Basic Person)
Let’s face it‚ their coffee order can reveal a lot about their personality. Are they a creative genius or a basic Betty? As the joke goes‚ “If you’re ordering a plain coffee‚ you’re not just ordering coffee‚ you’re ordering a participation trophy for showing up.”
If their go-to order is:
- A fancy-schmancy latte with extra foam‚ they might be a coffee connoisseur
- A plain old drip coffee‚ they might be a no-nonsense kind of person (or just basic)
- Something ridiculously complicated‚ they might be a trying-too-hard kind of person
This icebreaker is a great way to gauge their level of coffee snobbery. And‚ let’s be real‚ if they’re ordering a pumpkin spice latte in December‚ you might want to swipe left!
Icebreaker #8: “What’s the Best Way to Win You Over?” (Or‚ How to Spot a Sycophant)
Be wary of someone who says they’ll do anything to win you over. As the saying goes‚ “flattery will get you nowhere‚ but it can get you a restraining order.” Asking this question can help you identify a sycophant – someone who’s more interested in pleasing you than being genuine.
If their response is:
- A list of grand gestures‚ they might be trying too hard (or be a hopeless romantic)
- A cliché like “just be yourself‚” they might be a normal human being
- Something creepy or over-the-top‚ they might be a stalker (just kidding… or are we?)
Pay attention to their tone and language. If they’re overly flattering or insincere‚ it may be a red flag. After all‚ you want someone who likes you for who you are‚ not just for your online profile!
Icebreaker #9: “What’s the Weirdest Thing You’ve Ever Said to Someone on a Date?” (Or‚ How to Gauge Their Level of Awkwardness)
Let’s face it‚ we’ve all had those moments on dates where we’ve said something totally cringe-worthy. But asking this question can help you gauge your match’s level of awkwardness and see if they’re willing to own up to their embarrassing moments.
If their response is:
- A hilarious story that makes you laugh‚ they might be a kindred spirit
- A vague or evasive answer‚ they might be hiding their true awkward self
- A story that’s just plain weird‚ they might be a unique snowflake (or a few fries short of a happy meal)
As the great comedian‚ Steve Martin‚ once said‚ “I’m a big fan of weird. I think it’s one of the most important things in comedy.” So‚ if they’re willing to share their weird moments‚ it might be a sign of a good sense of humor and a willingness to be vulnerable.
