How to get to know their base character.

I have a rule — I shut down all romantic advances early, clean and cold. No flirt games, no trial runs, no “let’s see where this goes.”

If I sense it’s not aligned, I walk. Immediately.

The VP’s ego clearly didn’t take it well. Two weeks later, he still came crawling back, trying to slime his way into relevance. I was momentarily bummed, then I burst out laughing. If that somehow feeds his ego — fine, I’m feeling charitable.

Rejection is a litmus test.

How a man handles it tells me everything I need to know about his emotional maturity. Words can’t be unsaid. Dignity can’t be reattached once it’s thrown away.

I don’t waste months, years, or worse — emotional damage and unnecessary body counts. Base one and you’re out. Let me give you a tour of the fascinating characters who’ve failed this test:

1. The Performative Masculine

He parades his new girlfriend in front of me like a prize, hoping I’ll feel something.

I do feel sorry for the lady.

2. The Bitter Gourd

Tells me I’m “expired” and destined for spinsterhood. Projecting, darling. That insecurity is showing.

3. The Discounted Narcissist

Informs me I’ll regret turning him down because he’s a catch and that I’m Old.

4. The Sore App Quitter

Returns just to declare he’s deleted the app because it’s beneath him. Adds that he was never into me anyway —

…yet my phone still has his shirtless selfies and condo view. Right.

5. The Growling Poodle

Yes. Growled. At me. I wish I were joking. I’m not.

6. The Martyr-in-Chief

Slips into self-deprecation:

“I’m such a loser/ugly looking, no wonder you don’t want me…”

I’m looking for love not charity.

7. The Human Auctioneer

“Going once, going twice, taken! While stocks last!”

Sir, im Not for sales.

Not one gentleman among them.But each revealed themselves faster than any long-winded date ever could. This is how I filter.

Gracefully. Swiftly. Deadly.