This is very true; any of these items on this list can apply to everyone. I was writing about my personal turn-offs in men, but guardedness in anyone is often a red flag that the person needs to work on their comfort level surrounding vulnerability. A person who’s afraid to show their true self is often a person prone to defensiveness, dishonesty, and/or distance— none of which make a relationship succeed. While the social pressures on men and women are often different, the impact of unhealthy coping mechanisms is often quite similarly problematic. ;)