What Women Want - and don't want.
This is an age old question that married and single men have been asking themselves for thousands of years. The answer to this question can be beneficial to both married and divorced men. This is a site for divorced men, so the focus of this article will be directed towards single men reentering the dating pool.
Some of these answers may completely surprise you. Hopefully this information will give you some insights into what women like and dislike in a man. The intent is not to help you become a super “pick-up artist.” The intent is to help you think about areas that you might need improvement and to understand your areas of strength and value. My hope for you is to find mutually rewarding and fulfilling relationships.
I felt that it would be a disservice to women if I just wrote something based on my own observations or opinions. I decided that the best way to get the correct information was to interview a variety of women. I wanted to get answers from different age groups, social, educational, financial and marital statuses. While every person has unique likes and dislikes, I did find some common threads.
I decided to ask two simple questions:
What two things - traits, behaviors or characteristics - are a total turn-off to a woman? (What makes them shy away from a man)
What two things - traits, behaviors or characteristics - are a turn-on for a woman? (What attracts them to a man)
There are many more specific questions that could be asked, but I wanted to keep it simple. I asked each woman that I interviewed to answer the question with single word answers and then to expand on that answer. I asked for their own personal opinions and - from their conversations with other women - what women in general would answer. I also asked if they wanted to offer any more comments. Some did. Here are the results.
Woman #1: 41, never married, a few live-in relationships.
Personal Turn-offs:
Sloppiness - “This shows a lack of pride. Dirty, unkempt hair. Dirty nails, cruddy teeth and stained clothing. He doesn’t have to be a fashion plate, but at least present yourself clean. Car that is full of litter or a messy house. I know that guys aren’t neat freaks, but at least make the effort.”
Inconsideration - “This includes selfishness and not compromising. Not even asking about my interests or desires. Not calling or doing things when you say you will. Simple considerations are things like opening doors. Asking me “Do you smoke in this house? Can I use your bathroom?” Other things like using a coaster. This all may sound silly, but it shows me that he doesn’t care about me or my feelings.”
Women in general: Cheating “I can always tell a cheater. If a guy is willing to cheat on his wife or girlfriend with me, what makes me think he won’t cheat on me?”
Not having a job “or a plan to get one“.
Personal Turn-ons:
Relaxed - “Showing a sense of being comfortable with himself. Great smile, pleasant appearance. Clean, well fit, humorous and a good conversationalist. The things that make a man look approachable.”
Well Mannered - “Polite, pleasant tone of voice. The way he treats and talks to other people. If I hear him being nice to a checkout clerk or waitress, I know that I can approach him and he’ll be pleasant to me.”
Women in general: Stability “Self-confidence, self-assurance, decisiveness.”
Money “Sadly a lot of women are drawn to guys with money.”
Comments: “Men overemphasize the importance of having money. If you’re rich but you don’t treat me well, then it’s over. If you’re rich and you aren’t willing to spend and you’re cheap, then it’s over. Generosity of spirit is more important to me than money. Money is nice, but a woman will quickly learn that there are more important things in life than having lots of money.”
Woman #2: 42, never married, a few live-in relationships, over 20 years of dating.
Personal Turn-offs:
Stupidity: “Lack of intellectual curiosity. Unable to converse about anything else other than football or NASCAR. I want to know what books he has read, why he likes the author, why he agrees or disagrees with a position.”
Purposeless Meanness: “When he has to prove that he’s a man by being rude or pushy with people. Doesn’t treat strangers with dignity. Yells or complains at wait staff, bartenders, clerks, whatever. It’s embarrassing for me to be with someone like that because that isn’t how I treat people.”
Women in general: Big Ego “Arrogance is okay, but have the goods to backup what you project. If you talk the talk, you better be able to walk the walk.”
Cheapness “Stingy and selfish with time, emotions and money if he has it.”
Personal Turn-ons:
Clean: “Clearly takes care of himself. This shows me that he has personal pride. It isn’t just his looks. I don’t care if a man is balding or overweight. I have seen plenty of plain looking men who dress well and carry themselves well. Plain men can be very sexy when they carry themselves confidently and cleanly.”
Humor: “Not just a good joke teller or story teller. Someone who can laugh at things, laugh at themselves and help me to laugh with them.”
Women in general: Physical appearance “Let’s face it, we are drawn to attractive people. Cleanliness and a happy smile will make almost any man look attractive.”
Humor “If you can help us to laugh we will want to spend more time with you.”
Comments: “I have resigned myself to being single the rest of my life. I’m okay with that. I have spent enough years dating and I have yet to meet the right man to marry. It could be the kind of men I date? I always seem to be drawn to the dangerous, exciting type, which ultimately aren’t good for me. But that’s okay, I’ll keep dating, I like sex. And sex is the easy part, it’s the relationship that’s difficult. I can fuck a good looking guy with no brains, but I can‘t have a relationship with him.”
Woman #3: 28, never married, lot of dating, many live-in relationships.
Personal Turn-offs:
No spine: “No balls to stand up for himself, not defending me or my opinions when he is with me. Allowing other men to hit on me. Can’t take a joke.”
Cheap; “You don’t have to be rich, but spend a little if you have it. What can I say, I like to be treated well.”
Women in general: Stupid or uncool “No level of intelligence or acting and looking like a dork. Even being rude would be uncool.”
Cheap “Be willing to spend what you can afford. Being cheap is totally uncool. Being frugal and wise with your money is different than being cheap.”
Personal Turn-ons:
Physical appearance: “I am an attractive woman and I pride myself on my looks. I always make sure that I am presentable in public. I want to be seen with a man who is well fit and attractive to other women. I don’t like to date down, even for money. Call me whatever you want, that’s just what I like.”
Financial status: “If he doesn’t have money and can’t take care of me - I’m not interested. I can make my own living. But if I’m going to be with a man he should have more money than me.”
Women in general: Humor “Hey, you have to be able to make us laugh.”
Money “Call it superficial, but it is what it is.”
Comments: “I want it all… good looks, money, brains. Is there something wrong with that? I’m flexible in some of these areas, but at least I know what I want and I won’t compromise myself just to be with someone.”
Woman #4: 48, divorced, casual dating.
Personal Turn-offs:
Sloppiness: “Sloppy in his appearance, home, car and life. This tells me that he might have bad destructive habits that he can’t control. I don’t want any drunks or drug addicts.”
Cheap: “I fully understand if a man cannot afford some things - that’s okay. Being cheap is not exclusively related to money. He could be cheap with his time, his interests and his emotions. This type of cheapness tells me that he isn’t willing to consider new things or expand his life - it shows me that he is selfish.”
Women in general: Rude or crude “Expressing bad manners, not acting like a gentleman, inconsiderate of other people.”
Player “Just out to add another conquest to his black book. Smooth and debonair is one thing, but cheesy and insincere can be easily seen through.”
Personal Turn-ons:
Confidence: “He knows what he wants and knows how to ask for it. He knows that no matter what happens he will always rise from the ashes. Is willing to take a stand and make a decision but can also adapt maturely once his decision has been made. Confident enough with himself to admit when he is wrong.”
Humor: “Wit equals intelligence. A crisp mind that can entertain and entice me. Wit tells me that he is educated and up on current affairs.”
Women in general: Physical appearance “It’s nice to be with someone that is attractive - it reflects well on me.”
Humor “A fun attitude.”
Comments: “I would like to be married or in a long-term relationship, but I am not defined by it. I am willing to wait for the right situation to come along. I make a comfortable living and I can take very good care of myself. I don’t need a man to financially support me or validate my self worth.”
Woman #5: 60, married 39 years.
Personal Turn-offs:
Controlling: “Always has to have the final word. Tells you what you can or can’t do, or how you should think. Doesn’t respect my opinion and must point out how wrong I am, even if I am not.”
Dishonest: “Not truthful about his feelings, what he’s doing, where he’s going, where he was, finances and even his opinions. Says one thing and does the other.”
Women in general: Controlling “Most of the women I know are in my age group. Their husbands are often too old fashioned and think the man runs the world.”
Infidelity “Many men in my age group think that this is acceptable behavior. A smart woman can smell a cheater a mile away.”
Personal Turn-ons:
Outgoing: “Talkative but doesn’t monopolize the conversation or isn’t completely self-absorbed with their own problems. Engaging back and forth banter. Cares about what I think or my impression of things. So when I say outgoing I don‘t mean wanting to go everywhere and attend every social event. I guess I mean outgoing emotionally.”
Caring: “Cares about life and continued growth. He has fun interests and hobbies. His job. Not necessarily the status of his position but the desire and pursuit of gainful work.”
Women in general: Physical looks “A man’s looks can improve with age. He should be in good physical condition and health.”
Financial “Money is nice but not always rewarding. Women in my age group are either already financially set or they are looking for security.”
Comments: “Couples need to be happy with reasonable expectations. Don’t always compare your life or finances to someone else. The grass usually isn’t any greener on the other side of the fence. I am not saying that a woman should accept substandard treatment or lifestyle, but learn to enjoy what you have and not be focused on what you wish you had.”
I feel privileged to have had these women speak so openly and honestly with me about this. I hope this information will be useful to you in your own pursuit of a mutually fulfilling and happy relationship.
I welcome your questions. I do NOT offer factual legal advice - I am not qualified in this area. I do offer a compassionate ear and can give some constructive feedback to problems.
Has this site helped you? Do you have suggestions or comments? Want to add some information? Please use the Feedback page.
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Mark@freedivorcesupportformen.com
Mark@freedivorcesupportfor men.com
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