Dating the Unavailable Man?

When we're in our early twenties, we women can make a lot of bad decisions - especially when it comes to guys. But some of us continue to make these same relationship mistakes well past an age of knowing better, simply because we've grown accustomed to some bad habits.

Following are some red flags to watch out for when you go on your next date or are thinking of moving forward in a relationship. It's not always easy to tell when a man is emotionally or otherwise unavailable, but if you could, it saves months or years worth of heartache. How we choose our romantic relationships can show us where we might be headed in the wrong direction.

He's married/ in a relationship. It seems obvious, but don't a lot of us long for the man we can't have, the thing that is unattainable? Despite your growing attraction for a married man or his laments about how terrible his marriage is, your not doing either of you a favor by seeing him. It only leads to heartache, for everyone involved.

He keeps you at a distance. He's charming, romantic, and sexy when you're in a room together, but getting together is as difficult a prospect as climbing Mt. Everest with his crazy work and travel schedule. Don't fall for his over-worked life - a man will make time for a woman if he's really interested, no matter how busy he is. If he doesn't return your calls promptly and makes time for you only when it's convenient for him, this is a red flag and you're better off cutting things off so you can pursue someone who looks forward to your calls - and values you.

He's casual about everything. Instead of making you dinner or taking you out, he prefers calling you at ten in the evening to come over and "hang out." He doesn't want to have a conversation about your relationship, or maybe you're afraid to bring it up because you know that he would bristle. If he's not man enough to have a conversation after you've been seeing each other for a while, then this is a red flag and you should ask yourself if you're willing to settle for a relationship on his terms.

He's still hung up on his ex. This is another tough one. Maybe he showers you with affection or needs you in a way that makes you feel loved. But then he spends a lot of time dissecting past relationships or talking wistfully about the way things were with someone else. If you find yourself consoling more than being pursued, then you may want to step back and give him the time he needs to heal and move on - as well as the freedom and love you deserve.