Because you deserve a partner, not a scab.
Dating apps are a wasteland. You spend three weeks in the talking stage, finally agree to meet for overpriced cocktails, and spend the first half-hour praying he actually looks like his profile picture. Trying to find a partner who aligns with your values adds a whole new, exhausting layer of fatigue to the process.
We all have our standard, universally accepted red flags: being rude to waiters, following weird alpha-male podcasts, or not owning a bed frame. Listen, if my dog Willow growls at a guy when he comes to the door, that’s strike one. But if we are sitting at a table and he casually mentions that unions are “ruining the economy”? The date is immediately over. Check, please.
How a person views the working class tells you absolutely everything you need to know about how they will treat you in a relationship.
If you want to save yourself three months of wasted time, here are the three major anti-labor red flags to look out for on a first date.
Red Flag #1: The “Self-Made Man” Myth
He talks endlessly about his “grind.” He claims he got everything he has purely through his own blood, sweat, and 5:00 AM ice baths, completely ignoring any systemic advantages, family wealth, or the labor of the people working under him.
The Translation: He lacks empathy and doesn’t understand the concept of community support. If he can’t acknowledge the invisible labor of others in the broader economy, he is definitely not going to acknowledge the emotional labor you put into the relationship.
✨ “If he thinks he’s a ‘self-made man,’ he’s definitely going to leave his socks on the floor and call it ‘delegating.'” ✨
Red Flag #2: The “Fiscally Conservative, Socially Liberal” Trap
Ah, the classic Hinge prompt. This is the guy who says he supports human rights and feminism, but the second a barista asks for a living wage, he launches into a monologue about inflation.
The Translation: He supports equality right up until the exact moment it mildly inconveniences him or costs him 50 cents more for a cold brew. His solidarity is strictly performative. He likes the idea of progress, but he refuses to foot the bill.
🎀 “You can’t be ‘socially liberal’ if you cross a picket line for a mediocre iced latte.” 🎀
Red Flag #3: He Uses the Word “Unskilled Labor”
He actively looks down on service workers, retail employees, or anyone who doesn’t sit in a corporate office or work in tech. He thinks certain jobs don’t “deserve” a living wage because they are “just starter jobs.”
The Translation: He views respect as a commodity tied to a paycheck, not an inherent human right. If his baseline level of respect for another human being fluctuates based on their job title, his respect for you will be equally conditional.
🦢 “There is no such thing as unskilled labor, but there is such a thing as an unskilled boyfriend. Run.” 🦢
The Green Flags: What to Look For Instead
So, what does a Soft Radical actually look for in a partner?
You want someone who understands that a rising tide lifts all boats. I can easily fight my own physical battles. But I need a partner who is willing to fight for the working class alongside me.
The Green Flags:
- He tips 20% minimum, no matter what.
- He actively researches strikes and boycotts before crossing a threshold.
- He understands that household chores are a collective effort, not a “favor” he is doing for you.
The First Date Uniform
Don’t waste time getting to know someone only to find out they are anti-union on date number four. Weed them out early.
Wear our “All Power to the People” baby tee to the coffee shop. If he compliments it, keep him around. If he tries to play devil’s advocate about it before the appetizers even arrive… ask for the check and block his number.