• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Modest Man

  • .
  • Topics
    • Fashion
    • Shoes
    • Accessories
    • EDC
    • Hairstyles
    • Cologne
    • See All
  • Reviews
  • Outfit Ideas
  • About The Modest Man
    • Start Here
    • Contact
Home / Blog / Dating & Confidence
We earn a commission on some purchases you make through our site. Here's how affiliate links work.

15 Dating App Mistakes Men Need to Stop Making Immediately

Updated on December 15, 2025 by TMM Staff · Dating & Confidence

A woman holding a cell phone with a picture on it.
©A. C./Unsplash.com

Dating apps are a superb way to meet someone nowadays and pursue a potentially romantic relationship with them. However, men tend to make certain mistakes, inadvertently, that ruin their chances of connecting with compatible partners on these apps. One look at these infernal habits can repulse women immediately.  Men need to get their act together and stop making these mistakes if they want more responses, better matches, and actual dates from these apps. Read on and learn about the things that men should immediately stop doing on these dating apps right now.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Using Blurry, Group, or Shirtless Bathroom Photos
  • Writing Empty Bios
  • Starting Conversations with “Hi” or “Hey”
  • Complimenting Her Looks Only
  • Using Backhanded Comments or Negging
  • Rushing Things
  • Treating Matches Like a Numbers Game
  • Writing Excessively Long Essays
  • Using Filters
  • Whining About Dating Apps in Your Bio
  • Asking for Pictures Immediately
  • Being Rude When She Doesn’t Reply on Time
  • Using One-Word Answers
  • Treating the Conversation like an Interview
  • Pretending to Be Someone You are Not
  • Final Thoughts

Using Blurry, Group, or Shirtless Bathroom Photos

A man taking a picture of himself in a mirror.
©Deniz Demirci/Unsplash.com

It is better to let a woman see the real you, not the blurry version of you in a bathroom mirror or the one lost in a group of friends. A clear and crisp photo taken solitarily is the best way to go for when seeking connections on dating apps.

Writing Empty Bios

A graphical user interface application.
©Mediamodifier/Unsplash.com

Don’t leave your bio blank. This shows a woman that you aren’t interested in sharing anything about yourself or are simply devoid of any personality. A few lines that exude sincerity will do the trick quite nicely.

Starting Conversations with “Hi” or “Hey”

A chat on a cellphone with blue and hearts in the background.
©Alex Shuper/Unsplash.com

Any man who starts a conversation with these words as openers comes off as boring and clichéd to women. Instead, try asking her a specific question about her profile or extend a light, fun comment to get the conversation flowing naturally.

Complimenting Her Looks Only

A Text: “You are beautiful”.
©Nik/Unsplash.com

Attraction towards a woman is totally normal. But only complimenting her on her looks isn’t novel; rather, it’s trite and tired. Try to compliment her on something different, like her interests for instance. It shows her that you are actually putting in an effort and she will admire you for this.

Using Backhanded Comments or Negging

A woman in a gray-and-black sweater holding a white-and-black iPhone case.
©Rendy Novantino/Unsplash.com

Don’t make sarcastic comments when exchanging messages with a woman on these apps. You might think that they are innocuous or even intended to impress her, but she won’t be sharing your sentiments. Such negging or backhanded comments make you appear insecure and unconfident. You don’t need to resort to cruelty or sarcasm to prove your confidence to her.

Rushing Things

A cell phone with a chat and a bunch of hearts in the background.
©Alex Shuper/Unsplash.com

You should never rush for fast meetups, as it feels unsafe and infringes on her respect and boundaries. Instead, try to establish a genuine rapport with her before you make the move of asking her out on a date.

Treating Matches Like a Numbers Game

A woman standing in front of three cell phones.
©Zyanya Citlalli/Unsplash.com

You are not a robot so refrain from copy-pasting the same lines and sending them to a multitude of different profiles. Women appreciate a man who is intentional in his approach towards them and makes them feel chosen. They don’t want a person who is on these apps just for a numbers game.

Writing Excessively Long Essays

A black smartphone near Skullcandy headphones.
©Obi/Unsplash.com

You should never treat your bio as if it is your autobiography. That is why you should try to keep your introduction concise, interesting, and engaging. Bloated or overly long introductions tend to put off women and they pass over your profile without a second thought or glance.

Using Filters

Pictures of a woman on a cellphone.
©Leire Cavia/Unsplash.com

Don’t use filters that make you unrecognizable. Women want to see the real you, not a pretentious, artificial version that is hiding behind filters. They don’t find this charming and want to see a picture that matches your real-life version.

Whining About Dating Apps in Your Bio

Two people sitting on a couch looking at a cell phone.
©Flure Bunny/Unsplash.com

Don’t post your complaints about these dating apps in your bio. It makes you look pessimistic and crestfallen. Women equate these complaints with negativity and don’t peruse through a profile that reeks of it.

Asking for Pictures Immediately

A person holding a cell phone with a woman’s picture on its screen.
©Nick Fancher/Unsplash.com

This is a no-no and is extremely frowned upon by any woman on these apps. It is because they find this act to be incredibly invasive and disrespectful of their boundaries. A woman shouldn’t be coerced into sharing her pictures until she’s good and ready to do it of her own assent.

Being Rude When She Doesn’t Reply on Time

A man in a black suit talking on a cell phone.
©Frank Flores/Unsplash.com

People have a lot going on in their lives. Sometimes it prevents them from texting back fast enough. You should try to be more understanding and considerate and refrain from being impatient, rude, or demanding if you have to wait for her to reply.

Using One-Word Answers

A pink cell phone with hearts on a pink background.
©Allison Saeng/Unsplash.com

You should make a point of matching her energy if you feel like she’s making an effort. Going for the one-word replies will kill any odds of a genuine connection being made with her faster than you might think.

Treating the Conversation like an Interview

A man using an Android smartphone while sitting on a couch.
©charley pangus/Unsplash.com

You are having a pleasant conversation with her, so act like it. Eschew the barrage of non-stop, rapid-fire questions and let the discussion flow spontaneously. Natural communication always appeals more to women than well-rehearsed, contrived conversations ever can.

Pretending to Be Someone You are Not

A person holding a camera in front of a heart.
©Jonathan Cooper/Unsplash.com

Always be your true self when you are talking to a woman on these platforms. Avoid flexing, bragging, or creating a fake persona while engaging in conversation with her because it is bound to end in profound awkwardness later. Women appreciate authenticity in men and it leads to greater odds of attaining matches on these apps.

Final Thoughts

A person holding a cell phone with a picture of a man on it.
©Flure Bunny/Unsplash.com

You don’t have to be perfect when it comes to these dating apps. Just be yourself and practice respect, openness, and flexibility while you are engaging women on these apps. Try to adhere to the points mentioned above and you just might find the connection that you are seeking.

Dating & Confidence

Related Posts
A pile of clothes
20 Things You Should Never Wear on a Date
A woman looking at the man
18 Style Details Women Notice First
15 Honest Reasons Why Older Men No Longer Seek Commitment
Women Don’t Want Perfect Men, Just Men Who Stop Doing These 15 Things
About TMM Staff

The Modest Man staff writers are experts in men's lifestyle who love teaching guys how to live their best lives.

If an article is published under TMM Staff, that means multiple writers worked on it. For example, sometimes several of us have experience with a certain brand, so we collaborate to publish a more thorough review.

Or, if an article was originally written by one person, but then it was updated by someone else, we'll re-publish it under TMM Staff.

Remember: all of our articles (including those below) are written by real people with decades of combined experience in men's fashion and lifestyle topics.

More Articles by This Author

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Join the Club

Never miss a post, plus grab this free guide (instant download). No spam. Ever.

Subscribe Now

Reader Interactions

Ask Me Anything Cancel reply

Got questions? Want to share your opinion? Comment below!

Primary Sidebar

Join the Club

Never miss a post, plus grab this free guide (instant download).

No spam. Ever.

Subscribe Now

Trending Articles
Business casual outfits
The Modest Man Guide to Men’s Business Casual Style
A person's hands typing on a silver laptop displaying the Hulu streaming service interface with various show thumbnails.
12 Series Finales That Sparked Major Fan Backlash
Seiko 5 SNK805
35 Great Watches for Small Wrists
Men over 40 style
“Old Man Style”: Advanced Age Is the New Sartorial Prime
Fashion brands for short men
Stride in Confidence: Where To Buy Clothes For Short Men
Topics
  • Clothing & Style
  • Outfit Ideas
  • Fitness
  • Product Reviews
  • Dating & Confidence
  • Grooming
  • Men of Modest Height
  • Income Reports
Top 10 Brands
  1. Uniqlo
  2. Nordstrom
  3. Warby Parker
  4. J. Crew
  5. J. Crew Factory
  6. Amazon
  7. Thursday Boot Co.
  8. Mr. Porter
  9. Banana Republic

Footer

The Modest Man logo

Home • Blog • Resources • Contact • Advertise

 

Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure • Terms & Conditions • Sitemap

 

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Copyright © 2026 The Modest Man (Registered Trademark)