When someone says that they have a gut feeling about something, they usually turn out to be right. Gut instincts can come from deep within and are often rooted somewhere logical. If you learn to listen to your instincts when it comes to dating, you’ll find things working out better than you’d ever imagined.

Your gut instinct says: This person is not being completely honest with you. Before you go out on a dangerous limb and call them out for being a liar, watch their behavior. Non-verbal cues can be the biggest tell-tale signs of a deceitful person. If someone avoids making eye contact when answering a question in favor of looking up, down, and all around, be wary. If a person covers their mouth while speaking, they may be unconsciously shielding the truth. If you are really concerned and want to know if their story has any truth to it, pay attention the first time that they tell it. Later, you can casually ask them something about a detail regarding that specific story. If they can’t seem to recall the facts accurately, they probably weren’t telling you the entire truth. If your partner is keeping things from you, whether or not the details may seem trivial, that can be cause for concern.

Your gut instinct says: This person might have a problem with alcohol or drugs. This can certainly be a touchy subject, as it can often be difficult to diagnose definitively. You’ve been out with this person a handful of times, and your date has gotten pretty drunk every time. It could be explained away by saying that they’re nervous about the early stages of getting to know you. It could even be their way of trying to show you that they know how to let loose and have a good time. But it could also be tell-tale signs of an actual problem. Some people drink to loosen up and just enjoy the night. Then there are the people who drink or take drugs in an effort to escape their own reality. They might have emotional issues under the surface that they are trying to self medicate. Do yourself and your partner a favor and bring it up before it’s too late.

Your gut instinct says: This person doesn’t seem that into you. You and your mate have been spending a fair amount of time together getting to know each other but something is still missing. You can’t seem to put your finger on it, but it just feels like your partner’s attention isn’t totally with you. Granted, people have busy lives and hectic schedules, so it’s not just about making time to physically be there for you. It’s more about the person and how they behave when they’re around you. A person who is really into you will be listening closely and intently as you speak. They should show interest by paying attention and asking good questions. They won’t be staring off into space while they wait for their chance to speak. Another sign comes from someone’s body language when you are in each other’s company. When you and your mate are getting cozy, do you lock eyes and face each other or do their interests seem focused on other things? If your instincts are telling you that this person isn’t really into it, you might unfortunately be right.

So trust your gut and you’ll be on your way to making good dating decisions!

Jeff Cohen is the author of the e-book, 30 Minute Guide to Online Dating. It's a must-read for anyone looking to master the art of online dating without wasting hours of valuable time. To learn more about the e-book and purchase a copy, please visit "30 Minute Guide to Online Dating"