If you’ve ever been ghosted after what felt like a promising online connection, there could be a straightforward reason why.
Perth-based relationship coach and professional matchmaker Louanne Ward says that certain male behaviors—commonly known as “icks”—can instantly kill a woman’s attraction.
In a recent Instagram post, Ward shared five major turn-offs that can quickly derail any romantic interest.
These aren’t just small quirks—they’re serious deal-breakers that can make a woman mentally check out of the interaction for good.
“These are things she can’t unsee,” Ward explained, noting that once noticed, these habits tend to leave a lasting negative impression.
So even if a man has a charming smile and can hold a good conversation, these subtle, often unconscious actions might be enough to quietly sabotage a budding connection.
1. Baby Talk
Engaging in cutesy talk – calling your partner ‘Mommy’ or mimicking cartoon voices – is a top offender.
While some may think it’s endearing, Ward firmly states: “It’s not cute. It’s cringey.” Far from charming, this kind of speech can feel infantilizing and awkward.
2. Tech Tantrums
Expressing frustration by yelling at a phone or aggressively handling technology is another major red flag.
Ward explains that such reactions don’t come off as passionate, but rather unstable.
“Pressure doesn’t feel safe,” she said, adding that without a sense of emotional safety, any spark will likely die quickly.
3. Overdone Selfies and AI Photos
Using heavily filtered selfies or artificial intelligence to generate an ultra-polished dating profile photo may seem like a strategy to impress, but it can backfire.
“She’s not swooning. She’s dry. You’re not mysterious. You’re just overedited,” said Ward, describing the effect as more off-putting than attractive.
4. Bad Table Manners
Poor hygiene at the dinner table is an instant turnoff.
If you’re digging at your teeth with a fingernail in the middle of a meal, it’s more than just bad etiquette—it can provoke a deep, instinctive sense of disgust.
“It’s a primal reaction,” Ward explained, adding that once someone sees it, it’s hard to unsee.
5. The Fake Smoulder
Trying to appear sexy by licking your lips or striking dramatic, smouldering poses rarely works.
According to Ward, it often comes across less like seduction and more like a parody—“like auditioning for a knock-off cologne commercial.” Her advice? Skip the theatrics.
She also warns singles about relying on a familiar phrase: “I just haven’t met the right person yet.”
While it may sound harmless, Ward believes it often reflects a lack of deeper reflection.
“It’s not necessarily untrue,” she said, “but it’s often the only story people are told.” Rather than waiting for someone to magically appear, she suggests many are unknowingly stuck in a loop. “You’re not waiting—you’re repeating,” Ward emphasized.
