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The opposite sex often seems like an unsolvable puzzle, but when it comes to dating and starting a new relationship, we are here to help you put the pieces together. Men and women, for the most part, have the same basic needs that they are looking for in a relationship-- attraction, companionship and ultimately to feel loved. Today, we are going to tackle the age-old question of “what do men want?” So, ladies, this one's for you!
When you are getting to know someone, begin to identify how they best communicate or their love language (need a quick refresher on the 5 love languages? Check out our blog Speaking Their Language). Once you identify what they respond to, make sure to incorporate them with these other important, yet basic actions:
Make him feel appreciated.
Every man wants to feel appreciated. A man craves praise and acknowledgment to know he is succeeding in being the kind of man that you want. When he puts the effort in and does something special for you, make sure you’re sending him positive affirmations. This can be something as simple as, “I love this restaurant, thank you for taking me here” or “Thank you for picking up dinner tonight, I really appreciate it.”
Appreciation doesn’t have to be based solely on what he does, it also encompasses who he is. For example, compliment him on how he shows up on dates. “Showing up” can be based on his appearance or even the little things he does when you spend time together. You can recognize these things with a comment like, “Wow! That shirt looks good on you.” or “I like when you hold my hand.”
All in all, men want to feel valued and they aren’t mind readers! They want to feel like the things they do in the relationship, even the small things, are not going unnoticed. And in the end, a connection that is built on mutual appreciation has the foundation for a strong relationship.
Communicate with certainty.
Be open with him – let him know how you are feeling. Most men are very straightforward, and while there may be some excitement in the mystery of whether he’s interested or not, neither of you have time for games.
Men build connection through activity and time spent together, that’s how they determine if there is a “spark”. So, if you’re not interested, don’t stay in the relationship because you are afraid to hurt his feelings, tell him! You’re not going to help his dating journey by being honest, if anything, you’ll be opening his opportunity to meet others, moving him closer to the person who is right for him.
They desire companionship.
Don’t get us wrong, men want romance. They want everything that comes with a romantic relationship and more! This includes companionship. They are looking for someone to spend their day-to-day lives with and at some level they want to be taken care of. Most men like someone who can take care of the little details or compliment an area that may not be their strength.
They want someone who is supportive in every aspect of their lives, whether it be family, work or hobbies. They want someone who will be there for them through the good times and the bad. So, make sure you are being present within your relationship and making an effort to listen and engage with the things that are important to them. Showing your man that they are your priority will help show him how much you care for him.