Matthew AI warns against projection in early dating: mistaking charisma and chemistry for character. Real compatibility emerges over time, not on a first date. The phrase "perfect in every way except" is a red flag that masks actual incompatibility.
Projection. This is thinking that someone is so special because they've demonstrated a few external qualities that we think are great or admirable or make them sexy or hot, charismatic, or they've got a great connection with us, as evidenced by the three hours we've spent with them. We project so much. This is the part we have to stop. We don't know people in early dating. When we really end up in a beautiful relationship, I put to you that the things that make it the most beautiful are things we could not have seen in the beginning. They are the deeper character traits and qualities and the ways they show up and the ways they build with us that we could never have seen on date one or three or even date five. Things that took time to come out. We have to start getting really sober, really realistic. He's perfect in every way except... I hear people say that all the time. Matt, you don't understand. They're perfect in every way except... The fuck do you mean they're perfect in every way? What does that mean? How can they be perfect in every way?
