(5 More) Online Dating Profile Mistakes Catholic Men Make

Creating your profile can be tough!

One simple mistake could be the thing that turns away a potential match.

To make it a bit easier for you, we made a list of 5 more profile mistakes that Catholic men should avoid at all costs! If you're a single man on CatholicMatch, read this list, and, please, ensure you aren’t making mistakes that turn away good women from your profile. Simply getting rid of one of these all too common mistakes could get you more matches! 

Poorly Thought-Out Jokes

I know this one might seem controversial, but you should avoid making jokes in your profile. Now, I don’t know you. You could be incredibly funny. But what I do know is that jokes read differently over text. When you write a joke, you read it with your inflection and your personality. Someone who doesn’t know you won’t necessarily read it that way. 

Often, we aren’t aware of how our sense of humor comes across. Self-deprecating jokes can make you appear insecure online even if you are very confident in real life. Political jokes can make you seem controversial or standoffish. Jokes at the expense of others (especially women) can make you seem insensitive.

If you want to put a joke in your profile, could have a friend read it as if they don’t know you. But your safest bet is to leave it out entirely.

“White Knighting”

“White Knighting” is when a guy acts overly protective of a woman out of a desire to be a masculine protector. In a relationship, both people guard and protect each other in different ways. This comes after a long period of getting to know one another’s vulnerabilities and needs. Your profile is the first impression, so there’s no need to bring up protection in a relationship. 

Also, if you say things like “I’m looking for a woman to protect,” the woman reading that could interpret that as sexist. You may be expressing an earnest desire to take good care of your future spouse. That’s great, but it can be interpreted as if you think women, in general, can’t take care of themselves. Women don’t need to be protected by a stranger online. Avoid this mistake on your profile.

Over-Spiritualizing Dating 

Make sure not to over-spiritualize dating on your profile. It’s true, your partner is supposed to help get you to heaven. But that part comes later. In reality, the beginning of a relationship might not be all that spiritual. Some matches might not be comfortable with Adoration on the first date and that’s okay. 

When you’re single, your prayer life is about you and Jesus, so you should not expect to introduce a new person into it right away. Even when you first start dating, don’t expect a joint prayer life right away. Let it grow naturally and pray together in small ways at first. Just like the emotional and physical aspects of a relationship, the spiritual aspect needs to move slowly and not be totally intertwined until marriage. That said, avoid high expectations of spirituality in your profile.

"I’m Not Like Most Guys!"

While it is important to show a potential match what makes you special, try not to do it in a way that disparages other men. When you say things like “I’m not a jerk like most guys” or “I actually know how to treat a woman” you don’t come off as unique, you come off as bitter.

Ditch this from your profile and let your uniqueness shine naturally. Even if you genuinely are not a jerk and know how to treat women, don’t put this in your profile. Talk is cheap. You’re better off showing her respect and letting her come to that conclusion herself. 

Talking About Your Ex

This mistake is like the previous one but focused on potential matches instead of you. If you were hurt in a previous relationship, it’s perfectly normal to look for someone who is different from your ex. However, don’t put this in your profile. While you may be trying to be upfront and honest about what you’re looking for, it can come across as bitter, just like the previous mistake. 

You might be trying to make potential matches self-select out, but that kind of strategy can backfire. Keep those red flags in the back of your mind and look for them in messages or on dates. When you put in your bio that you want to avoid a narcissist, for example, you’re sharing that a narcissist has hurt you in the past. This kind of over-sharing can make people uncomfortable and that’s not a good foot to start out on.

While creating a profile can be very difficult, a few small tweaks can really make it stand out.

Ask a close friend or two to review your profile and give you tips on how to show off your best self. Your profile is what helps people see who you are and reach out with that first message, so look at your profile from the perspective of your potential matches.

Take time to revisit your profile today and ask yourself what impression you give off. Don’t forget to check out our first list of 5 mistakes, either.

Guys, what profile mistakes have you made?

Ladies, what really turns you off when you see it in a profile?

Let us know what you think!