People Reveal the ‘Horrific’ Household Items That Scream ‘Red Flag’ Energy
A person’s home is said to be a direct representation of their personality, lifestyle, and values. But some things in your home or lifestyle might inadvertently give visitors a “red flag” vibe. So from disorganization-related hygiene oversights such as moldy fridges and dusty pet bowls to cluttered spaces, these details can have an effect and often not a good one.
In this post, we look at the subtle and sometimes not so subtle signs found within a home that might give a guest pause. It goes beyond tidiness and tidiness, into things like whether certain family members are obviously favored, or odd decorations, such as holiday decorations a few months later still hanging about. These examples are a reminder that little touches in a home can say so much about the homeowner.
1. “When they don’t have a bidet. Why don’t people wash their butts?”
—Anonymous
2. “I went to a date’s place for the first time, and it smelled horrifically like cigarette smoke. I felt like I was holding my breath the whole time. I had to text my friend to come pick me up early.”
—Anonymous
3. “Wearing shoes indoors for non-medical reasons is a red flag.”
4. “Washing pet bowls and letting them dry in the same rack where the dishes people eat from dry. Nasty!”
—Anonymous
5. “As someone whose roommate has a much, much different standard of cleanliness than I do (which I didn’t notice when I toured and moved in because I was in a hurry), there are definitely new things on my list that are ‘red flags’: greasy appliances and cabinets, floors where the ‘inconvenient’ parts to clean haven’t been touched in years, and a lack of cleaning products in the home.”
6. “I had a friend whose spice cabinet had expired dates from the ’90s.”
—Anonymous
7. “When the rooms cannot be used for what they were originally intended because there’s stuff all over. Why are you using your office space as a storage room?”
—Roxanne, 64, Canada
8. “Not having books anywhere in the house is definitely a red flag. Like, you don’t have any books at all?”
—Cary, California
9. “Seasonal decorations way past said season.”
10. “If there’s more than one book by an Evangelical author, just run!”
—Anonymous
11. “I went to catch up with an old friend at his place, and he told me I could go to the fridge and grab a drink. I opened the fridge, and there was mold growing in there. I was so thankful that he didn’t offer to cook.”
—Anonymous
12. “A friend and I met a writer at a party once, and she invited us to come spend the weekend with her. My friend and I were so excited! However, when we arrived and entered her home, I was horrified! There were piles of animal excrement all over the floor everywhere! She acted like it was nothing and normal. I slept in my car.”
13. “When people allow their pets on tables and kitchen counters!”
—Coleen, 72, Oklahoma
14. “When I visited the home of one of my friends growing up, I remember how her younger brother had the larger of the two kids’ bedrooms, plus a game room for himself. All of her brother’s accomplishments were displayed prominently throughout the house, while my friend’s things were mostly limited to her room. Obviously, her parents valued her less than her brother and wanted others to feel that he was more important than she was. I think it’s a red flag in general if a family with children makes it obvious that they favor one kid over another. I personally really despise it, as I’ve seen the toll it takes on my own siblings.”
—Danly, 24, Colorado
15. “When there are fruit flies or gnats everywhere. It’s just gross to me.”
—Anonymous
16. “The thing I’ve run into the most is when there are dirty and stinky towels in guest-used bathrooms. You wash your hands and realize they were cleaner before.”
17. “At my in-laws’ place, there’s pet hair EVERYWHERE. Instant red flag.”
—Anonymous
18. “When there’s the lingering smell of rotten foods.”
—Anonymous
19. Lastly: “I visited my friend’s apartment for the first time, not knowing he was a hoarder. Starting from the entrance, stuff was piled high in boxes. I walked to the center of the room and was so shocked by the stuff around me that I stood still for 10 minutes. I couldn’t even take my phone out to take a picture, but the image is burned in my mind forever.”
—Lina, California
