What Do Women Like in a Man? 8 Classic Traits

Happy woman expressing what she likes in a man

It’s a question men have been pondering for years: What do women like in a man? Well, wonder no longer. We’re here to break it down and help you understand exactly what women want in a relationship. 

So What Do Women Like in a Man?

Everyone is different and every relationship is different, but there are certain universal things that pretty much every woman wants in a man. You might think you know what they are, but we think you’ll be surprised by some of them because the list is simpler than you might think. Let’s take a look.

  1. Attraction

Women want to be attracted to their partner. But that doesn’t mean they only want to date tall, dark, and handsome Hollywood-types. Being attracted to someone is about more than just physical appearance. Yes, looks matter, and you should make your best effort to look nice when you go out. But looks aren’t the most important thing. 

Women crave attraction, that feeling of a spark, which can be inspired by anything: a lingering glance, an intriguing conversation, a shared laugh. Women aren’t just attracted to outward appearances; they’re attracted to the whole package. Without that attraction, they lose interest.

  1. Confidence

Not sure how to make yourself attractive to women? Be confident. Be comfortable with who you are, know what you want, and own it. Confidence counts for a lot more than looks because it signals that you’re secure in the choices you’ve made. 

Being confident is easier said than done and takes time to cultivate. So, if you’re nervous, try the “fake it ‘til you make it” approach. Don’t be overly cocky or egocentric, but if you practice being confident and self-assured, you’ll learn to feel that positive self-esteem for real, and women will take note.

  1. Emotional availability

Are you emotionally available, or emotionally unavailable? It’s crucial to building a long-lasting relationship with a woman. Most women are naturally more honest and forthright about their feelings, while most men are naturally more reserved. 

Women like men who aren’t afraid to be emotional, vulnerable and show their sensitive side. Talking about your feelings isn’t easy and might feel uncomfortable at first. But if you aren’t willing to open up to her, your relationship will eventually hit a wall, and she’ll seek a partner who is more emotionally mature.

  1. Directness

What do women like in a man? Directness. Playing hard to get can be fun—at first. But if you play hard to get for too long, it makes you seem wishy-washy and unlikely to commit. 

If you like a woman, the best thing you can do is tell her that you like her. Don’t play games, and don’t assume she knows how you feel. Just tell her. Women like it when men are direct because they encounter so many who aren’t. You’ll win major points if you show that you’re not going to waste her time.

  1. Fun

When wondering “what do women like in a man,  you might hear the advice that women like funny guys and a sense of humor. And it’s true, they do. But it’s not so much that they’re looking for a comedian as they are someone they can have fun with. 

Laugh, be happy and don’t take yourself too seriously. Women will be instantly attracted to you if they can have a good time with you and share a laugh with you.

  1. Romance

Women like to be wooed. They like it when you go out of your way to make them feel special. You don’t have to plan intricate dates or surprise her with increasingly over-the-top gestures; in fact, the small romantic gestures are often the most meaningful. 

Write her a handwritten note, make her breakfast, or send her flowers. Doing something that demonstrates how you feel might seem silly or unnecessary to you but will go a very long way in making her feel special.

  1. Honesty and trust

Honesty helps build trust, and without trust, your relationship will crumble. Deep trust and openness don’t happen overnight, so don’t panic if you don’t have them right away; they deepen the more you get to know each other and the more you experience and weather together. 

For the relationship to work, both parties have to commit to being honest. Women have no time for liars or cheaters. When people are dishonest, and once trust is broken, it’s hard to come back from it.

  1. Respect

Still wondering what women like in a man? It all comes down to respect. More than anything else, women want to be respected. Women don’t want to be made to feel like objects or that they’re taken for granted. A relationship cannot and will not survive without a strong sense of mutual respect. 

Don’t waste her time, don’t push her boundaries, don’t lie to her, and don’t treat her poorly. Give her the courtesy of the respect you’d give anyone else in this world. If you can’t respect her, you don’t deserve to be with her.

About the author: Elizabeth Entenman

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