The term "incel" is short for "involuntary celibate." In its most basic form, it describes someone, usually a man, who is tired of their lack of sexual experiences and blames the subjects of their desires, most often women, for their frustration.
Reddit user BlueFruitJam wanted to know how to spot these people in the wild, so they asked other platform users to share the telltale signs that would suggest a person belongs to this infamous group.
#1

If they’re from a Western country like the US but complain about women in their country being too independent. And if they talk about wanting to date women from somewhere like Eastern Europe, Asia or South America because they’re supposedly more submissive and treat men better. Bonus points if they’re over 30 and only attracted to very young women and don’t like women their age.
170points
#2
He's an incel if...
He thinks insulting or patronising you is a valid way to flirt, i.e. "negging" to assert their dominance.
He admires Andrew Tate and other incel-ebrities like that.
He tries to tell you that the real problem in the world is feminism, and women need to "get over it because gender inequality doesn't exist - in fact, men actually have it WORSE now because they can be falsely accused of r**e at any second."
Also if he tries to mansplain what women are "reaaally like" to you, a woman.
He thinks insulting or patronising you is a valid way to flirt, i.e. "negging" to assert their dominance.
He admires Andrew Tate and other incel-ebrities like that.
He tries to tell you that the real problem in the world is feminism, and women need to "get over it because gender inequality doesn't exist - in fact, men actually have it WORSE now because they can be falsely accused of r**e at any second."
Also if he tries to mansplain what women are "reaaally like" to you, a woman.
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138points
#3

When he is unable to interact with a woman as a person. There is only sexualization and weird devotion or blatant hate and misogyny.
137points
#4
It's really hard for them to hide it because they reveal how they view women without even realizing it. When they see us as vending machines where they put in surface-level "niceness" and/or money and get sex in return, it becomes obvious pretty quickly. They genuinely don't see us as people.
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121points
#5

If some news comes out about a woman being assaulted by a man, and they immediately decide to defend the guy, and look for reasons to not believe the woman.
107points
#6
There was a man on the subway yesterday who was yelling at me that he was upset that “everyone is gay” because it meant nobody would have sex with him. He proceeded to call me a b*tch and talk about how he “deserved pussy” and was angry that no one would boink him… like maybe if you wanna get some, screaming at people on the subway that you deserve to have sex with them might not be the best strategy.. 🤷♀️ So in conclusion, if you are being yelled at on the train about being owed sex, you may have just spotted an incel!
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100points
#7

When they hate everything about women but still want to date them.
98points
#8
Without being too snarky about it, it's probably hard to spot one irl. First, they tend to be heavily online, at the expense of being out and socializing (hence why they're often told to "touch grass").
Secondly, when they do have to interact with other people, they don't tend to be as obnoxiously racist, misogynistic, and generally horrible as they are in their echo spaces online. Incels aren't unique in this; most people with extreme views are usually at least partly tempered in their day-to-day in-person interactions, compared to their online personas.
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94points
#9

Weirdly negative of the women in their life. Act like women's lives are easier. Are mean or dismissive to women they're not attracted to, but uncomfortably nice to one's they are. Weirdly s****y towards "attractive" men. Has a complex about his height or some similar feature. Just generally treats women like alien creatures. Jokes about rape and gets offended when told to stop. Gets offended by boundaries in general. Believes false rape accusations are common. Talks excessively about "pretty privilege" while being weirdly silent about racism, sexism, ect. Fishes for physical insults.
I'm sure I'm missing some and many of these aren't diagnostic alone, but they're a really good starting place.
89points
#10
Listen to how they talk about women, and ask them why they just don't date what they're not afraid of. The blinks and walkbalks following are the tell.
"Well women are all golddiggers and only want me for my money!"
"They why don't you date someone richer than you? Lots of lawyers around."
*blinkblink" "Uh... uhhhh....."
Next will come a cascade of their own insecurities. This will make them so uncomfortable they won't want to talk with you again. Job done.
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87points
#11

"all my exes are insane"
What's the common thread here? Could it be you? Why are all the women you get close to driven to madness?
What's the common thread here? Could it be you? Why are all the women you get close to driven to madness?
82points
#12

Anyone who talks about or refers to an “alpha vs beta male” ideology. might not be an incel, but it’s probable.
anyone who whines about what women like and how they do or do not fit the bill
anyone who decides they know how a woman should or shouldn’t behave in any sense.
80points
#13

Referring to women as females or toids or whatever weird name they have come up with.
78points
#14

Telling you about women rather than asking you about yourself as a woman.
73points
#15
Refers to women as females and constantly plays the victim. Bonus if he keeps on talking what a gentleman he is and how women only want a******s.
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73points
#16

It’s what they say. Common phrases include: “My biggest fear is that tonight we have sex and tomorrow you accuse me of r**e” “There is no such thing as equality” “Women only want xyz and that’s why no one will f**k me” “I don’t date because I’m not a free meal” “Sorry not sorry. I’m a guy and I’m gonna talk about have sex with you.” In my experience.
72points
#17

If they’re obsessed with Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan, that’s a dealbreaker ladies.
71points
#18

This guy referred to our society as a gynocracy. That counts, right?
65points
#19

When you set any kind of boundary, no matter how small, how they react to that is very telling.
Also, the way they respond to a woman who is knowledgeable about any topic.
63points
#20

They mansplain what women want / how women are + ignore anything a woman says that counters their statement.
They slam and blame women for however they choose to deal with / survive / thrive in a patriarchal world, from preferring a specific type of men, to monetizing their sexuality, exploiting pretty privilege, to wearing baggy clothes etc.
59points



