Call me prejudiced, but I won't date a guy who doesn't drink coffee. Granted, that's not a hard-and-fast rule, and I'd still rather date a non-coffee-drinker than, say, a serial killer, but let's just say I have a very strong preference.

There's something about coffee that non-caffiends don't get. Perhaps the addictive nature of caffeine fosters solidarity among drinkers, like veterans who've survived the same war or workers who've survived the same morning. Or maybe it's just the simple pleasure of being able to sit and drink coffee and consider it an "activity" -- an activity I'd like to do with a potential significant other. "Let's grab a cup of coffee" is now as standard as "Let's get a drink," but it's a suggestion that non-coffee-drinkers only reluctantly humor.

I also resent that non-coffee-drinkers always seem to remind me "I don't drink coffee," when I propose a coffee outing, as if they are above the lure of java. Who wants to date someone who thinks they're superior to your own imperfect habits? After all, I don't respond condescendingly with "I don't watch porn," every time a guy suggests it ...

Jennifer S. is Lemondrop's resident dating and relationship blogger.


Tell us! What are your relationship deal-breakers? Or have you ever had a hard-and-fast deal-breaker that you threw out the window when you met the right guy?