Some people explain away or deny the uneasy feelings they have when they observe certain behaviors in a relationship. Maybe it’s because they want the relationship to work out. Or they are afraid of upsetting their families or their potential spouse.

As you are getting to know someone for marriage, it’s important to ensure that the relationship is a good fit. And this requires addressing any concerns that come up for either partner. A red flag is any concern that may create serious issues in the relationship. Below are five relationship red flags to be mindful of.

1. A Pattern Of Hesitation, Indecisiveness, Or Over-Reliance On Others

People can have enmeshed relationships with others, making them overly dependent on that person’s approval for big and small things in their life. This can be problematic for a couple trying to come together and form a new unit independent of one another’s families. No doubt, consulting with family and close mentors is really important during the courtship–but observe the influence of others upon your future spouse’s other affairs, and their long and short-term plans.

For example, a serious concern might be an overly involved parent who probes your partner for the details of everything you discuss together. Another serious concern would be if your partner prefers not to express their own opinion, but will also agree with the opinions of others and doesn’t seem to know what he/she wants. This person may need constant validation from others and seek approval over big and small decisions in life.

Indecisiveness about the relationship can also be caused by someone not really ready to make a commitment. This can look like avoiding conversations about involving your families or avoiding conversations about the next steps for the relationship.

2. Vague or Conflicting Information

Many people, after getting to know someone better, will identify gaps in the information they’ve been told or things that don’t add up. Their partner may say things but act in contradiction to what they say. Or they might be unwilling to discuss concerns brought up by their partner.

Look out for vague or conflicting information that your partner may not be sharing. When you try to address a subject you feel is important to discuss, is your partner repeatedly changing the subject or becoming angry with you if you try to ask about it? Someone who understands that a strong relationship is built on honesty and trustworthiness will be open about themselves as the trust in the relationship grows.

3. Negative Interaction Patterns With Others

How does your partner interact with others, especially those who are younger than him/her, or who serve or work for them?

Does he/she make condescending or disrespectful comments about others, or criticize people behind their back?

Does your partner or their family make negative comments or generalizations about certain cultures or groups of people?

Racism, misogyny, and cultural stereotypes exist in the world that we live in–they can sneak into our relationships and interactions in sometimes subtle ways, causing stress and conflict. Educate yourself on these kinds of stereotypes and patterns so that you are also aware of them if they come up–especially if you are entering into a cross-cultural relationship. Something to keep in mind: even if you believe that your partner is not racist or misogynistic, it’s still important to learn and know that we live in a society that’s based on these patterns and how they influence us.

4. Conflict Management Skills

If you’ve been courting someone for some time, you should have had a few conversations where you disagreed. Seeing how your partner manages conflict and deals with strong emotions like anger is a huge marker of their character and maturity.

So when is it a red flag? When someone cannot disagree with others respectfully or cannot control their anger during a conflict– that’s a red flag. Or perhaps their anger is triggered very easily by small and insignificant things. Or a “my way or the highway” attitude during disagreements. This can sound like, “I see what you’re saying, but just listen to what I’m saying. Trust me, I know what I’m talking about.”

Or he/she may get defensive and blame others rather than accepting responsibility or admitting a mistake. This may sound like “Yeah I shouldn’t have said that but it wouldn’t have happened if you just did…” This makes it hard to negotiate or problem-solve because the conversation is about “I am right, you are wrong” rather than being about understanding each other.

A partner who is unable to resolve conflicts maturely, admit mistakes, or deal with constructive criticism is likely to be someone who is not able to take personal responsibility in their life.

5. Your Own Avoidance Patterns

If you’re not bringing up certain topics because you want to make things work, or you are not sure what your partner’s reaction to the conversation will be, this may be a red flag. Do you feel insecure or hesitant about sharing a part of yourself with someone else? It may be discomfort about opening up emotionally or sharing a very private part of yourself. Or a lack of confidence in yourself and your opinions. This is the time to have those conversations and learn about one another! If you don’t feel comfortable enough bringing up something that’s important to you, think about why this may be.

Maybe you don’t know if you can trust your partner just yet, or you might be fearful of the reaction you’ll get from them. If you feel the need to brush things under the rug or that your partner may have a severe reaction to something that you feel strongly about, this could be a red flag or a sign of incompatibility.  Maybe you sense that your partner disagrees with you about something, and you are uncomfortable with the conflict that might arise. Know that the person you marry should be someone with whom you can be honest and genuine, and who will try to understand your perspective, even during disagreements. This is not something you will know until you have the opportunity to see it in action. Approaching topics of conflict is essential to deepening your understanding of yourself, your partner, and how aligned you are. It will also help you decide how conflict will be managed in the relationship.

Don’t assume change. You should never marry someone with the expectation that they will change or that you will change them after marriage. Assume that what you see is what you get. Stay critical, trust your intuition, and give yourself time to observe and discuss your concerns with the person and others. Being observant for red flags is not about being suspicious. It’s about protecting yourself and your partner from an incompatible or harmful relationship. Also keep in mind that abusive behavior doesn’t always begin in an obvious way, but there are patterns, and those patterns are found in many of the red flags we’ve discussed.

Do any of these red flags bring up a concern about your relationship?  Realize that you may encounter a red flag or a behavior from a potential spouse (or his/her family) at any point in the process, possibly just days before the wedding. Don’t dismiss this. Address the behavior directly, and do not be pressured into moving forward with marriage at any point in the process if you are not comfortable.

Read more here about the signs of a healthy relationship. To learn more about red flags and conflict in a relationship, check out The FYI’s Marriage Prep course for courting and engaged couples here.