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15 Weird Quirks That Are a Massive Turn-Off for Women

Updated on July 8, 2025 by TMM Staff · Dating & Confidence

A man on his phone while a woman gestures across a café table.
©Curated Lifestyle/Unsplash.com

Ever wonder why things seemed to fizzle out after a few dates? Or why her smile started looking a little… strained? You might not notice it, but it’s the little habits and the odd quirks that send a woman running for the hills.

What seems harmless or even charming to you might read as strange, self-absorbed, or just plain exhausting to her.

Here are 15 weird quirks that women quietly find a massive turn-off plus a few thoughts along the way to help you course-correct without losing your cool.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Obsessing Over Your Reflection
  • Talking Loudly On Speakerphone in Public
  • Collecting Too Many Action Figures or Sneakers Without Context
  • Do Quirks Even Matter That Much?
  • Weird Food Combinations You Swear By
  • Bragging About Knowing Obscure Facts
  • Overusing Gym Slang in Everyday Life
  • But Isn’t Confidence Attractive?
  • Being Overly Competitive With Servers or Bartenders
  • Constantly Fidgeting With Your Phone
  • Collecting Weird Trinkets From Every Bar or Restaurant
  • How to Spot Your Own Quirks
  • Over-Analyzing Every Single Text She Sends
  • Using Too Much Cologne (or None at All)
  • Needing to Have the TV On At All Times
  • Are Quirks Ever Endearing?
  • Excessive Name-Dropping
  • Wearing Sunglasses Indoors Just Because
  • Over-Documenting Everything for Social Media

Obsessing Over Your Reflection

©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

You know the type. Every shiny surface becomes an opportunity to adjust your hair, smooth your shirt, or flex your jawline. There’s confidence, and then there’s borderline narcissism.

Checking yourself in a mirror once before heading out is totally fine. But catching your own reflection in a store window mid-conversation? She notices. Honestly, it’s tough to feel like she has your attention if you seem more interested in your own cheekbones than what she’s saying.

Talking Loudly On Speakerphone in Public

©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Nothing screams oblivious like broadcasting your entire conversation to everyone in line at Starbucks. It’s uncomfortable for everyone within earshot, and your date will only receive secondhand embarrassment from it.

Speakerphone talk has its place, like your car or your kitchen, when your hands are full. But when you’re strolling through a park or sitting at a bar? She can’t help but wonder if you lack basic awareness.

Collecting Too Many Action Figures or Sneakers Without Context

©Hermes Rivera/Unsplash.com

Look, having hobbies is attractive. Passion shows character. But when every inch of your apartment is covered in boxed Marvel figurines or sneakers that never leave the shelf, it can feel more like an obsession than a collection.

She might even feel like she’s competing with your plastic Batman or your pristine Jordans. If your collectibles dominate your living space and the conversation, it’s worth rethinking the balance.

Do Quirks Even Matter That Much?

©Erik Mclean/Unsplash.com

You might be wondering, “Come on, doesn’t everyone have quirks?” Absolutely. That’s part of being human.

But unchecked, those quirks can quietly pile up like laundry in a corner until they’re impossible to ignore. The point isn’t to erase what makes you unique. It’s to notice when your habits overshadow your good qualities.

Weird Food Combinations You Swear By

©S/Unsplash.com

Peanut butter on burgers. Mayo in your coffee. Hot Cheetos with milk. Sure, you’ve developed a palate all your own, but to her, your plate starts to look like a middle-school dare.

Quirky snacks are fine once in a while, but turning every meal into a bizarre experiment can make dining with you feel like a test of endurance. If you want her to share a bite, maybe keep it less shocking.

Bragging About Knowing Obscure Facts

©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

There’s being smart, and then there’s turning every conversation into trivia night. Sprinkling in an interesting tidbit now and then is great.

Interrupting her story to explain the history of the paperclip or how many moons Saturn has? Not so much. Nobody likes feeling like they’re in a TED Talk they didn’t sign up for.

Overusing Gym Slang in Everyday Life

©Alora Griffiths/Unsplash.com

Fitness goals are attractive. But when every sentence is peppered with “PR,” “macros,” “cutting,” and “beast mode,” it starts to sound like you’re pitching a supplement line.

You can share your dedication without making her feel like she needs flashcards just to follow your story about brunch.

But Isn’t Confidence Attractive?

©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

It sure is. But there’s a fine line between confidence and quirkiness that overshadows everything else.

Owning your style is one thing. Dominating every interaction with it is another. Think of confidence as a seasoning, not the whole dish.

Being Overly Competitive With Servers or Bartenders

©Jia Jia Shum/Unsplash.com

Turning something as simple as ordering a drink into a challenge is one of those quirks that baffles women. Being polite and assertive is excellent.

Treating the server like you’re negotiating a car lease? Not so much. She’ll notice if you nitpick, test their patience, or “one-up” their recommendations like you’re proving something.

Constantly Fidgeting With Your Phone

©Leonid Privalov/Unsplash.com

We’ve all done it. Scrolling through texts while waiting for the check or checking scores between bites. But when you’re tapping, flipping, opening, and closing apps compulsively, it comes off as nervous energy at best and disinterest at worst.

Put the phone down, even just for a few minutes. She can tell when your thumbs are itching.

Collecting Weird Trinkets From Every Bar or Restaurant

©Luis Olmos/Unsplash.com

At first, pocketing a branded pint glass from a dive bar feels rebellious and funny. But by the fifth napkin, coaster, and shot glass in your backpack, it starts to feel more like kleptomania than charm.

Women notice when you treat every outing like a souvenir shop.

How to Spot Your Own Quirks

©Michael T/Unsplash.com

Here’s a tip. If you’re not sure which habits might be turning women off, ask a trusted friend. Or better yet, pay attention to her body language.

If she cringes or laughs awkwardly when you do that thing, you know the one, it’s probably worth dialing it back.

Over-Analyzing Every Single Text She Sends

©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Reading her emoji choice like it’s a Supreme Court decision is exhausting for you and for her.

If she texts “lol” instead of “haha,” it doesn’t mean she secretly hates you. Women can sense when you’re reading between lines that aren’t even there. Relax and trust the vibe.

Using Too Much Cologne (or None at All)

©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Smelling good is non-negotiable. But knocking her out with a fog of overpowering cologne is a quick way to kill the mood.

On the flip side, skipping deodorant and leaning in close isn’t exactly endearing either. Aim for that just enough sweet spot.

Needing to Have the TV On At All Times

©Jonas Leupe/Unsplash.com

Even when nobody’s watching it, that constant hum of noise can be distracting. It makes it harder to connect and sends the message that you can’t sit still or be present.

Quiet moments don’t have to feel awkward. In fact, they can feel closer.

Are Quirks Ever Endearing?

©Milles Studio/Unsplash.com

Funny enough, they absolutely can be when they’re occasional, genuine, and not overwhelming.

A little eccentricity can make you memorable and charming. The key is knowing when to lean in and when to pull back so she sees your personality, not just the oddities.

Excessive Name-Dropping

A man and woman seated at a bar counter with cocktails between them.
©Aleksandar Andreev/Unsplash.com

Sliding celebrity names or VIP connections into the conversation might impress your buddies, but women often find it try-hard.

If you’re telling a story and every other sentence starts with “So I was hanging with [insert name here],” she may start checking her watch.

Wearing Sunglasses Indoors Just Because

©Brooke Cagle/Unsplash.com

Sunglasses indoors can give you a mystery, but if she can’t see your eyes, it’s hard to establish a connection when having a conversation.

Unless you’re recovering from eye surgery or a migraine, ditch the shades when you step inside.

Over-Documenting Everything for Social Media

©Eddy Billard/Unsplash.com

Snapping a few photos is fine, but turning dinner into a full photo shoot with hashtags and five angles of your steak can make her feel like she’s dating your Instagram account instead of you.

Enjoy the moment instead of curating it.

Dating & Confidence Everlane

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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.

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