Beige flag meaning: Is your boring dating profile putting matches off?
The term “beige flags” currently dominates TikTok with a whopping 31.5 million views – but what exactly is a brownish banner and how do you know if your dating profile is littered with them?
Coined by self-proclaimed CEO of beige flags, TikTok user Caitlin MacPhail, beige flags are the more down-to-earth little brother of red flags and indicators that “you’re probably very boring.”
In a series of videos called “RU Beige”, Caitlyn shared the beige flags she noticed on people’s dating profiles.
These include “exchanges about pineapple on pizza, any references to popular rom-coms, and the use of puppies to cover up a lack of personality.”
A fan of spicy marga? You are beige. Have an opinion on coriander? It’s very beige. Looking for Pam for your Jim? All are beige flags.
Essentially, the beige flags cover any non-original content that we see over and over again on people’s dating profiles.
It’s a cross between being “naughty” and “snoozing” on a date, neither of which bode well for finding the perfect match.
According to Caitlin, each profile receives three beige flags. “Once you hit the three beige flags on your profile, you will be disqualified,” she says. Fair.
It is also worth noting that Caitlyn only views profiles that people themselves send her.
According to Jessica Alderson, relationship expert and co-founder of So Syncd, beige flags have become a phenomenon due to dating app fatigue.
“People are tired of going on dates with just anyone,” she tells Metro.co.uk.
“We’re all busy and we don’t want to waste an evening sitting with someone we’re not compatible with in any way. This means that people’s standards for dating app profiles have risen.
“If your profile shows beige flags, a lot of people will just move on to the next one. Over the years, dating app profiles have become more creative and interesting, so the bar is now higher.”
Jess warns that if you have a standard profile on a dating app, it can make people doubt how original and fun you will be in real life. After all, everyone needs a unique and interesting partner.
However, a low-effort dating app profile might indicate that you’re unwilling to invest time with someone else in the future—and who needs that?
Since we’re stuck in this “very boring circle of hell” as Caitlyn puts it, curating your profile can be a difficult balancing act between not giving out too much and still getting the attention of matches.
“While you don’t have to share all of the important personal data about yourself on your dating app profile, you still need to share a part of yourself,” Jessica says.
“Creating a truly original dating app profile requires a vulnerability that is necessary to establish a connection. You expose yourself and risk being rejected.”
She advises being light, while emphasizing your uniqueness, and avoiding too many texts before a face-to-face meeting so that you don’t run out of conversation.
Jessica says: “In order not to appear beige, you need to show what makes you different from others. This is the best way to stand out.
“Cute quirks are usually a good starting point. Humor also makes your profile more interesting because it’s a universally attractive trait.”
Still not sure if your dating profile seems boring and simple? Then perhaps it is time to call on the most outspoken and honest of all who have an opinion: your friends.
“Whether you’re at the very beginning of your profile or about to hit ‘Get Started’, your friends’ advice and answers can be valuable,” Jessica advises.
“It can be hard to be objective when you’re creating a profile about yourself and your friends can offer an outsider’s point of view.”
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Contact us at MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
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