It is not uncommon for people to give unsolicited advice, and it is not unusual for people to give opinions about matters they have little expertise – but it does seem that when it comes to dating this reaches a whole new level. Whatever people’s motivation for expressing a view, they are often not helping at all.

Most people’s advice is no more useful that stopping a random person at the mall. Ignore the opinions of people who lack genuine insight, regardless of how insistent they are. Focus instead on the input from people who are perceptive and mature, and who are likely to be objective and considered. Sadly, family members often to not fit this bill.