By Julie-Ann Sherlock
I have recently thrown myself back into the world of dating because I am fed up with having no one to share my wonderfulness with or to blame for forgetting to turn off the AC. So far, I am having little success in finding “the one”, but then I am not really a believer in there only being one. I may be a Gen Xer, but I am a modern woman who doesn’t want to put all her eggs in one man’s basket.
However, one thing I have noticed as I swipe my way through Tinder is the blandness of some people’s profiles. It’s like they don’t put in any effort yet expect perfection from others. WTF like?!
The beige flag trend dating metric came onto my radar while researching why so many men write “I’m a simple man” in their bios. I mean, aren’t all men simple, really?
What The Heck Is A Beige Flag?
What initially emerged as a quirky concept has gained traction on TikTok and other platforms. It joins the familiar spectrum of red, yellow and green flags—warning signs, potential problems or positive traits to look out for in relationships—but sits somewhere in between, indicating neither danger nor excitement.
As one of the less exciting and enticing colours in the world, it is being used to represent those quirks, behaviours, or personality traits that might not be inherently problematic or admirable.
I often find them in online dating profiles when people rely on overused clichés, like professing love for shows like Friends or labelling themselves as a foodie without further context. Or they surface after dating someone for a while.
While these characteristics aren’t inherently bad, they can make someone seem unoriginal or lacking in personality. Yawn.
They include spouting generic opinions like “pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza” or references to TV shows everyone watches, such as Bridgerton or Breaking Bad. Essentially, these flags signal that the person might not offer anything unique or engaging beyond surface-level traits.
How Did The Beige Flag Trend Start, And Where Is It Now?
It first gained momentum in 2022 on TikTok, where users began sharing humorous observations about unremarkable traits in partners or themselves. Over time, the term has evolved to include more than just blandness.
Now, beige flags can also describe harmless, peculiar quirks that make you pause but don’t necessarily discourage a connection—like needing to research everything on IMDb before watching a movie or having an irrational fear of astronauts. I sincerely hope most of my quirks and foibles fall into this harmless category!
But Are Beige Flags Bad?
Thankfully, not necessarily. Like most things, beige flags are subjective, and what one person finds boring could be charming to someone else. And my need to eat with matching cutlery could be considered as having standards instead of just being weird. Right?
In some cases, while quoting a popular sitcom might seem uninspired to one person, it could resonate with someone who shares a deep love for that show. One woman’s boring man is another’s knight in shining armour, etc.
In relationships, these quirks might even become endearing over time—showing that beige flags are not deal-breakers but personality markers that reflect everyday human oddities. And boy, are there some oddities out there!
How To Avoid Waving Too Many Beige Flags On Your Dating Profile
The key to steering away from blandness is authenticity. Instead of relying on clichés in your dating profiles, try to showcase your real interests or the unique experiences you have had.
Mentioning a specific hobby, such as pottery, or sharing personal volunteer experiences can help differentiate you. The idea is to be yourself rather than projecting a curated persona, ensuring that any future connection is built on genuine traits.
While beige flags might not generate excitement, they aren’t reasons to dismiss someone outright. They remind us that not every interaction has to be exceptional—sometimes, those little quirks make relationships feel more real.
No matter where you fall on the dating spectrum, let your genuine personality shine through in your profile. The saying that there is a lid for every pot should remind you not to hide your true self but to embrace it. If someone is put off by your colourfulness or desire to zipline naked through the Amazon, they are not the right person for you anyway.
Never let someone diminish who you are, but also don’t pretend to be a party animal if your idea of a wild night is putting some chocolate into your popcorn while watching a rom-com.
The beige flag trend is just a playful way to evaluate potential partners while encouraging us to reflect on our quirks and avoid generic self-presentations. So relax, be yourself, and let your freak flag fly.