You have Heard of Inexperienced and Pink Flags…However What’s a Beige Flag?

In terms of relationship, particularly for the youthful era, there are some new phrases that may be fairly complicated. However speaking about beige flags or inexperienced flags shouldn’t be an excessive amount of trigger for concern—actually, it might be an encouraging signal that your teen is navigating their likes, dislikes, and limits in a romantic relationship.

In actual fact, these additions to the teen slang dictionary would possibly assist everybody higher outline and articulate what they like about their romantic pursuits. Right here’s extra data about what “crimson flags,” “inexperienced flags,” and “beige flags” imply, the place they got here from, and the way younger individuals are utilizing these phrases as they discover relationship. 

What Is a Pink Flag?

A “crimson flag” is the traditional warning signal, alerting you to hazard forward. In relationships, this sometimes signifies a deal-breaker of some type, although the utilization of the phrase is break up. Whereas some folks use crimson flags to debate a romantic curiosity’s worrying or probably harmful conduct, others use it jokingly to precise a desire or bias.

In accordance with Dr. Tamara Soles, a baby psychologist and mother or father coach in Montreal, Canada, romantic “crimson flags,” when the time period is used critically, can embrace indicators {that a} relationship isn’t wholesome or secure.

“They usually present up as management, lack of respect, or emotional manipulation,” she says. “In adolescent and teenage relationships, these flags would possibly appear like fixed check-ins, jealousy over friendships, or disrespecting boundaries—something that feels prefer it erodes one’s sense of self or security.

What Is a Inexperienced Flag?

Simply as inexperienced and crimson imply reverse issues on a visitors mild, a “inexperienced flag” is the polar reverse of a crimson one. Inexperienced flags point out a associate’s good attributes, resembling their kindness or thoughtfulness. Whereas some folks additionally use it jokingly to determine what they like about an individual’s top or career, for instance, others use it as a teachable second to mannequin how folks can and may act.

Social media is a well-liked place not solely to debate crimson flags and inexperienced flags, however to mannequin them, too. On TikTok, a creator named @dustinpoynter repeatedly stitches different folks’s movies with footage of him operating in a area with large crimson or inexperienced flags. The colour depends upon the conduct exhibited within the unique video, and different customers repeatedly tag Dustin in TikToks they see, asking him to weigh in.

What Is a Beige Flag? 

A “beige flag,” in the meantime, is usually neither good nor unhealthy. Generally, it simply…is. 

When younger folks discuss with “beige flags,” they’re sometimes discussing the impartial quirks that you just find out about as you get to know somebody higher. If they are saying one thing that makes you double take earlier than transferring on—like they’ve by no means seen a Star Wars film or they put scorching sauce on ice cream—these habits is likely to be a beige flag.

“In teen relationships, beige flags would possibly embrace issues like a robust curiosity in a selected passion, a novel humorousness, and even habits like at all times forgetting to message again,” explains Soles. “These innocent quirks provide teenagers an opportunity to discover and replicate on what they respect or desire in a good friend or associate.”

The Origin of Beige Flags

Whereas “crimson flags” and “inexperienced flags” have been round for some time, and are additionally utilized in non-romantic settings, “beige flags” are a more moderen addition to the world of romance and relationship. 

In Could 2022, TikTok creator @itscaito posted a video breaking down what she views as “beige flags” on relationship apps. She outlined the time period as “indicators you’re in all probability very boring,” and included examples resembling prompts that debate whether or not pineapple belongs on pizza or referencing mainstream sitcoms.

Simply because the lifecycle for a development on social media is reaching “blink and also you’ll miss it” territory, the which means of “beige flag” has additionally shifted. More and more, folks make “beige flag” movies referring to their associate’s quirks—the issues that make them completely them.

Ought to Dad and mom Be Fearful If They Hear Their Teenagers Speaking About Pink Flags? 

As a mother or father, it’s vital to create an open and secure house in your teen to speak about crushes and relationships. You possibly can assist them determine patterns, and take motion if one thing is amiss. 

Some “crimson flags” is likely to be a teachable second. In case your teen remarks that an individual’s “crimson flag” is that their household doesn’t have a lot cash, that’s an ideal alternative to speak about biases and judgment. 

However different behaviors or traits might be unhealthy or unsafe, and would possibly require you to take some motion. In case your teen’s associate calls for they unfollow friends of a sure gender on their social media accounts, for instance, that might be an indication of controlling conduct, and specialists suggest that oldsters step in.

How Can You Assist Your Teen Know the Distinction Between Pink, Inexperienced, and Beige Flags

In case your teen is simply starting their relationship journey, they may not know what colours the flags even are, so to talk. 

“Teen relationships are a coaching floor for understanding intimacy, respect, and private values,” says Soles. “By studying to determine crimson, inexperienced, and even beige flags, teenagers develop the emotional consciousness and abilities wanted for wholesome grownup relationships.”

To assist your teen identify flags and perceive their emotions, Soles recommends fostering open communication, and dealing by emotions collectively.

“As an alternative of diving into problem-solving, attempt asking open-ended questions like, ‘How does that individual make you’re feeling?’ or ‘What do you want about them?’,” she says. “This retains the dialog open and permits teenagers to study relationship abilities by self-reflection.”