Refusing to Define the Relationship After Months

After several months of consistent dating, a refusal to define the relationship is a significant red flag. Asking "what are we?" after three to six months of exclusivity is a legitimate request that deserves a clear answer. Someone who deflects or accuses you of pressuring them is effectively benching you, a term coined by relationship therapist Esther Boykin. Unlike a healthy partner who prioritizes clarity and discusses the future within a year, this tactic keeps you emotionally invested without commitment. Data shows that 65% of relationships that remain undefined after six months fail within the next year, outperforming even the #2 red flag, 'Bad-Mouthing Every Single Ex,' in predictive reliability.