How to Remove the Proverbial Tattoo from Your Forehead: Tips for Partners to Avoid and Those to Keep

At some point we have either been friends with or been the friend who attracts losers for a companion. As we age, we tend to learn from our past mistakes and make better decisions. Unfortunately there are some of us that never grow up, and never learn from our mistakes. This can be challenging to decipher who is a suitable partner.

There are some definite telltale signs that you should watch for:

You should avoid anyone who has a problem keeping a job or uses statements such as they know I am smarter than they are so they fired me. Oh please, as an adult you should never use such a moronic statement.

Anyone who thinks that they are going to win the lottery, but refuses to work while waiting to win. It's great to dream about winning the lottery but responsibility should be in place beforehand in case your first plan doesn't work out.

Anyone who is commitment phobic, if you are looking for a serious relationship doesn't waste your time with someone who won't commit. If they tell you upfront that they do not want something serious but you do, don't be so sure that you can change their mind about that fact.

For women; especially avoid men who tell you that you are beautiful but you would be better if you lost some weight. If you chose to lose weight, fine but if you have to change to appease someone who says that they care about you, they will continually expect you to change to appease them. Don't waste your time!

Avoid partners who don't have goals in life, its fine to not know exactly what you want to do but to have no goals at all is a red flag for a loser.

Partners who spend more time with their online World of Warcraft character than the real world are probably not a good choice, unless you too are addicted to the online realm of life.

Be leery of a partner who is still living at home and has no intention of moving out any time in the near future. Run as fast as you can if you are in a serious relationship and they talk about you starting your life together in mom and dad's basement.

Avoid partners who have an alcohol or drug problem. This should go without saying, but usually these types of partners will relapse multiple times before or if they change their toxic ways.

Any partner who has domestic violence charges against them should be avoided. They may tell you that they have changed, and that they would never hurt anyone again but most of the time these offenders require intensive therapy to change their ways. If you chose to enter a relationship with someone who has a past of domestic violence and they do harm you, leave the relationship and never look back.

Stay clear of partners who cannot take any responsibility for their actions, these types of people blame others and never admit fault. They feel that everyone owes them something.

A partner who acts suspicious as when you enter the room they slam the phone down, or turn off the computer. If they are acting like they are hiding something they probably are, especially if this happens on more than one occasion.

A partner who tells you not to answer their phone, or touch their belongings, or worse yet not to wait up and come home smelling like another woman.

Signs that you may have a good potential partner on your hands:

The partner actually treats you as their equal and as if you are their partner.

The partner is honest and has no problem telling you even the most difficult of problems.

Your partner has no problem with introducing you to all of their friends and family as their significant other.

Your partner would never deliberately hurt you physically or mentally. Abuse is abuse.

You and your partner share common goals about your future together.

There are many other signs of what a good and bad relationship entail. You should go with your intuition, and if you have doubts about the relationship or your partner you should take time to regroup. If you are having doubts there is a reason why. It may just be an overreaction to insecurity, or it may be legitimate but more often than not your intuition will lead you in the correct direction.