Should you hold it against him that he’s wearing a Will Ferrell wig in his online profile picture? Maybe not, but if you’re on the dating circuit, you’d do well to heed the first-date warning signs.

“As women, we often don’t define our boundaries consciously, nor do we take cognisance of the areas where we’re prepared to compromise or negotiate,” says Durban-based counselling psychologist Dr Rita Suliman. What’s worse, when we do spot the so-called 'dealbreaker' in a man, our innately female tendency to nurture takes over and “we tend to think we can help him or change him and somehow make him better.” It’s preferable to enter a relationship with an open mind, says Suliman, “but first ensure your personal boundaries are absolutely clear: decide what you can compromise on and what you can’t.”

To help with the search for true love and lasting happiness, we’ve assembled an array of possible dealbreakers based on the real-life experiences of fearless single women in the field. Based on your own needs, figure out where you would draw the line.