A relationship is much more than just ‘do dilon ka milan’ these days. We women need and deserve much more than the bare minimum from our dates. In fact, when it comes to dating, I have certain non-negotiables and I know that I’m not the only one.
I asked eight women about their non-negotiables when it comes to dating and their answers were very honest and real. Let’s take a look!
1. “Something that’s a non-negotiable to date me is that you have to appreciate the little things. It’s the small gestures that mean the most. So you have to be observant enough to appreciate the simpler things in the relationship. Life is complicated as is, I want my partner to find joy in basic things of life with me.” -Aarti Singh
2. “The bare minimum is that the guy should be a feminist. It sounds simple, but it’s almost impossible to find someone who treats women as equals.” -Manya Ailawadi
3. “I think that the man needs to be able to manage his finances – that’s a non-negotiable for me. I can’t be with someone who spends all his money in one go, without planning or even thinking about the future. It’s a big no-no for me.” -Aarushi Sharma
4. “If someone can’t respect my family, they cannot be in my life. I don’t care if he’s my friend, boyfriend or even husband. It’s an absolute requirement for me, especially when dating.” -Swati Thakur
5. “My non-negotiable is a person who has a habit of lying. Honesty is crucial to me.” -Harshita Singh
6. “Personal hygiene is a non-negotiable for me. I can’t date a man with bad breath or someone who hasn’t showered in a week. It’s plain gross.” -Nidhi Jain
7. “My non-negotiable is definitely that the man should let me be. I can’t answer questions about my decisions all the time. I shouldn’t have to. I believe in giving and receiving personal space.” -Anvensha Sahni
8. “People who tend to speak a lot about themselves but have no capacity to listen.” -Vasudha Sabharwal
Ladies, take notes and don’t settle for anything less!