Walking Red Flag: Dating Advice from Your Favorite Guy Friend

Comedian Freid debuts with a chatty guide to modern dating. Writing from the perspective of a “pretty regular guy,” he contends that much of modern heterosexual dating angst stems from over-interpretation; most men are not orchestrating elaborate emotional strategies but operating from ego and comfort. Elsewhere, he outlines the benefits and drawbacks of meeting potential partners via family, friends, dating apps, and bars; how to parse dating app profiles; and how to navigate texting in the early stages of a relationship. Readers should evaluate potential partners by their actions instead of their app profiles, he argues. “He may be holding a cute baby or dog, or at the top of a sick mountain, and you think, Family guy who’s also adventurous and therefore probably the love of my life. But that’s not him! He’s the guy talking to you and putting two spaces after a period, and using u to mean you.” Later sections break down discussing relationship exclusivity, introducing partners to friends and family, and breakups. While broad claims about “most guys” lack nuance, Freid brings welcome levity to his generally sound advice on knowing what one wants from a partner and communicating directly to get it. The result is a friendly and refreshingly blunt resource for exhausted daters. (June)