What Men Want in a Woman

Here's a simple idea: Why not ask men? The next time you're out at a bar, strike up a conversation with the guys next to you and offer up the question. Listen to what they have to say. You may start to see some general themes emerge the more you ask.

So some months ago, I did exactly that, but via Facebook and Twitter. Also asked about 20 male friends and acquaintances -- mostly men in their 30s and 40s, what they want from women. I do well to let them know, that there are no right answers, only your truth.

Some general themes like:

"They need to be with a woman who takes pride in her femininity"

"Want a woman who allows their partner to take pride in my masculinity"

"Wants to feel he is with a woman and not someone who is competing for, trying to tear down or undermine his manhood"

" Want a woman with less drama"

Though these may sound general and not specific but it's a sentiment that was echoed by several respondents.

Below is a collection of their responses. All names in this post have been changed.

#1: Pete

I'm a very successful, intelligent and somewhat Alpha male. So I don't need you to tell me how to run my business, who my friends should be or how to live my life. What I do want you to understand is that even though I am very masculine, I have a softer side. I have feelings, I can be sensitive and I do cry. It's amazing to me how many women find that threatening, as if they are the only ones entitled to have feelings.

This is not to say that women and men are the same. I want a woman who is feminine yet strong -- not in a masculine way -- but a woman who radiates quiet strength, wisdom, insight, love and compassion. Someone who gives as much as she gets. A woman I can be myself around.

#2: John

Simply put, I just want someone who I am attracted to, who I can have fun with, who gets along with my friends and family and that is not a constant pain in the ass.

We all have bad days, but If you want some clues about what will drive me crazy, here you go:

1) Don't call 50 times a day to check on me... especially if you know where I am. If you need something, call or text, but if I am golfing with my friends and you call and it is not an emergency, please don't expect me to be excited that you called or surprised that my phone is off.

2) If we are on a date, don't be texting and taking phone calls, because that is our time together. If we are just hanging out and watching TV and you get a call, get up and take the call in another room if it going to be more than a minute or two. I promise to do the same for you.

3) If you ask me a question or for advice, really make sure that you want the answer. There is nothing worse than being asked for advice and then having your girlfriend get mad because you gave them an honest answer that they did not like.

4). It is okay to be mad, but at some point please tell me why you are mad so I can either fix it or not repeat whatever I did to make you mad.

5). Be on time.

#3: Luke: Character With No Drama

Men want a woman who is trustworthy to a fault, utterly responsible, reliable, and totally loyal.

Men are creatures of habit. They thrive on routines. If their lives are well-organized and predictable, they will be content. Men do not like drama. They do not want relationships filled with conflict and surprises. If that is what a woman is offering they will start looking elsewhere.

Most Men do not like to be criticized especially by their women. They do not like their relationship to feel like therapy. They do not want to think that they are not good enough or that a woman is trying to make them over.

If a man does not have many good qualities that you can praise and admire, what is a woman doing with him?

Most men, even young men, are thrilled to find a woman who knows how to cook. I mean women who can competently put a meal on the table with some consistency. They are very happy when a woman is willing to show her love by caring for them.

If they are decent and honorable human beings, men will show their appreciation in many ways, large and small. A man who shows no appreciation for a woman's efforts in the relationship is not worth keeping.

Thus far, I have left sex out of the equation. A woman who wants to have a long-term relationship leading to marriage and family would do better to place character strengths ahead of sexual skills.

To the male mind, a woman who offers wonderful love and great sex but refuses to make a home is a concubine, not a wife.

#4: Simeon

1) I want a woman whom I am Physically attracted to and have emotional intimacy with.

2) A woman who can Support. There's nothing better than knowing that your woman has your back and is there for you when times get tough.

#5: James

Top qualities I look for in a woman:

1) Independence - I'm very passionate about my career, so an independent woman would enable me to juggle all the responsibilities and we can treasure our time together.

2) Drive - a woman who knows what she wants and achieves with her own bare hands is very attractive.

3) Maturity - I don't think anything would make a guy say "oh dear god" as bad as baby talk.

4) Taking pride in appearance - every guy would love to show his buddies that he's "got a hot ass girl" (subject to personal taste). For me, her appearance (that she loves herself) should reflect my image well.

5) Sense of humor - Makes me laugh sometimes, so I don't always have to be the one doing the work.

#6: Chuks

My high school Earth Science teacher gave me this little tidbit my freshman year: "You want to marry someone who can be a woman, a girl and a lady."

It makes sense to me now.

My take on it: Men want a woman who can pass the "tent test." If you decide to go camping for a weekend and it rains the whole time, can you be content to sit in the tent with a woman? If so, you're in good shape.

#7: Michael

What I want is an authentic woman. Almost any woman can become the ideal cultural stereotype of what Hollywood told me was desirable (just as guys can work toward becoming the alpha male).

But it is the actual person underneath that heavy role that I seek -- the human being.

If I wanted the act, there are plenty who are willing to play it. But no one can play the authentic woman. Bring her forward.

#8: Mark

What do I, as a man, want? Good question. Here are a few things I cooked up, but I can elaborate if needed.

I want to be challenged, grow and feel I am making a difference. I want a relationship absent of games and power struggles and full of unconditional love and respect. I want to be loved for who I am, not for who I could or should be.

I want to be able to make a woman feel like a woman and have that feeling reciprocated.

I want to find a balance between progressive nongender equality and traditional gender roles.

I want it to be ok to be chivalrous. I want to hold the door open for you.

I want my life to mean something.

#9: Jack

I want to live a life of perfect health, abundant wealth and showerings of love.

I want to follow my heart and live my dreams.

I want to marry the woman of my dreams and have wonderful, healthy and happy children together.

I want to express myself through my writings and be a mentor for those coming behind me.

I want to be inspired on a daily basis and in turn, I want to use this to inspire others.

I want to be grateful for all that is in my life and I want to be kind and generous to those that pass through my life.

I want to be myself.

#10: Nick

I think this obviously is different for each person out there... For me, I want a woman who knows how to be a lady and generally acts like that in public. In private, I want her to feel comfortable and be open and trusting. In bed, I like a girl who is confident and a little wild.

I've been in a relationship for about two years now (my longest relationship), and I would say the biggest thing I want in a woman is someone who is truly my counterpart and equal. I need someone who I can completely rely on to take care of everything from things around the house and finances to relationship things. I'm a pretty independent person and with my career goals need someone who is also very independent, but is also very affectionate.

I feel most girls I have dated are overly emotional. Having feelings and emotions are completely normal and I don't like that guys are often stereotyped as not having feelings. We do, we just deal with them differently. For me, I've learned to recognize my emotions but not let them control me. I think guys are more wired to fix things and seek solutions immediately. I find that women often want to focus more on feeling better. I know it sounds harsh, but ultimately how important is feeling better versus fixing the situation?

...Along that line, a girl shouldn't let a guy get away with crap. Call him out on his BS, but do so in a loving way. So if a guy does something or says something stupid just kindly say, honey, I know you mean well (or whatever the case may be), but it really would be better if you would do it this way because that will get you what you actually want on this.

#11: Dave

What I would like in a woman is not to play games and to be logical, reasonable, fun and no drama... I would like to be attracted to her and to put time and effort into seeing me as I would do the same for her. Life is hard as it is, and I want less uphill battles, not more.

#12: Joe

Okay. What I look for in a woman.

First - I want a physically attractive woman. Maybe that's shallow. But anything less would be settling...

I want a woman that loves to be with me as much as possible, but still maintains her own set of friends, interests, etc. Together time is great, but alone/apart time can be good, too.

I need a woman that wants to have kids (biological and/or adopted). No exception.

I need a career woman -- perhaps this is a proxy for someone who is smart, and motivated.

I want a woman that appreciates my often ridiculous sense of humor.

I want a woman who enjoys watching sports but isn't a sports freak (wears a Brady jersey, can name the starting offensive line, etc.)

I want a woman who cares about fashion -- this may be more of an indicator of self-esteem, personality, etc.

I need a woman who is okay with just relaxing at home. I HATE going out and eating out many times per week. I'm a homebody.

In Summary, What men want...

Men want

1. A woman they are attracted to...physically.
2. A woman who is understanding.
3. A woman who is consistent .....no drama.
4. A woman who has a good sense of humor.
5. A woman who treats him with respect and decency.
6. A woman who is caring.
7. A woman who is Confident and has good Self-Esteem.
8. A kind-hearted woman.
9. A reliable woman.
10. A supportive woman.
11. A woman who is authentic. Lady-like and confident in expressing her femininity.
12. A woman who has similar values to him.
13. A woman who can communicate clearly.
14. A woman who accepts them for who they are.
15. A woman who sometimes gives them space.
16. A woman who they can have fun with.
17. A woman who appreciates them.
18. A woman who sees them as a priority.
19. Etc Etc...

Men, if you're reading this, what do you look for in a woman?