The topic of this Washington Post article by Libby Copeland is a fascinating one, in my opinion: when people shop for relationships — i.e., date — they often reject prospective mates for seemingly trivial reasons. But are they trivial? Copeland speculates that, on the contrary, a “nitpicky” criticism is

a proxy for taboos, or regrets about past failed relationships. It’s a proxy for class concerns or cultural differences, because most people want someone who looks and sounds and smells as they do.

For me, a man’s musical tastes are hugely important. I think that serves as a proxy for gauging his esthetic sensibility, moxie, cultural savvy, sensitivity, and possibly even intelligence.

Alas, that’s not very quirky, though! The WaPo article has some wonderfully quirky accounts of people who ran away screaming because of things like “he didn’t like my pixie shoes” or the relish with which a woman described mayonnaise.

I’d love to hear other people’s stories! Have you ever been on a date when something happened that persuaded you, beyond all doubt, that this was most definitely not the one?

And Part B: why were you so turned off? For what did it serve as a proxy?