Last week in Best Dating Practices with D’Andra we looked at what women want…
This week D’Andra turns that question around and looks at what men want.
And by the way, while D’Andra’s rules can go for dating a man you are just getting to know, they can also be relevant for a woman and man who are already in a loving relationship. Because in the best relationships, the ones that keep their sexual and emotional energy, the courting never really stops.
Here’s Part One of “What Men Want”
D’Andra:
“I know a lot of women who think all they have to do is hop into bed with a man on the first date, because they have “what men want”. Actually, they couldn’t be more wrong. What men want is actually much more than that, and giving them what they really want can set the tone for what will become a longer lasting, more respectful relationship.
Last week I wrote about advice for men who want a meaningful and lasting relationship with a woman who IS worth it (subject to one’s own perspective).
This week I promised the men I would address women and what we can do to “up” our dating game and land the man of our dreams. In the end, this is better for the men as well because we (females) are going to allow them to accept the natural role that has been assigned to them inherently through DNA.
Now, this is MY opinion so I am sure it will ensue in some rather lively conversation again this week. Debaters, start your engines…here we go!!
1. Ladies, if you want to start a relationship off right then DON’T ask a man out. This immediately sets the tone for the dating relationship and kills the “man is the aggressor” rule that is the law of nature. The man is the HUNTER, so let him HUNT! If you ask him out then trust me, you will always be chasing after him, and he will never be pursuing you because he doesn’t have to. This results in feelings of inadequacy on the female side, as you will always wonder if he really wants you or if you just pushed him into it for convenience sake. Phone calls in the future (if there is one) will be awkward, leaving you always wondering if you called him at the “wrong” time or if he really wanted to talk to you right then at that moment if he even answers the phone.
*Because women are so good at multitasking, it is hard for us to understand that men in general are not.
A man likes to prepare for a time to call you when he has a chance to focus on YOU. Unlike most women, a man simply isn’t his best when drawn away from a big business deal or a project to speak when you call. It is just not in his nature to switch gears so fast. Meanwhile back at your apartment…you are waiting by the phone willing it to ring—right?? I think all women know what this feels like.
Start the relationship off right! Make him work for you and he will appreciate you much more!
2. A man should be the aggressor, meaning a man should call you, ask you out, and be concerned about impressing you! You should not be the one jumping hoops to get him to pay attention. This is a “beat my chest and impress you” competition at the beginning of a dating relationship. He should be pulling out all the stops if he truly wants to meet the woman of his dreams and thinks you may actually be the one!
3. Keep the conversation light! LISTEN UP WOMEN!!! This is the one complaint men have on a regular basis! I have heard this from men time and again. It goes something like this, “I took Susie out and she was so beautiful but when she opened her mouth it all went downhill fast.” Me: “Why?” Man: “Well, she started talking about her timeline to get married and have children and her biological clock is ticking and she isn’t getting any younger, and she doesn’t want to work anymore but wants to stay home and have babies.” Really? What a date killer! Do not lay out your timeline year by year -even worse adding him in the picture as you are dreaming it out loud. Dreaming is all there will be after that one night, as a normal man will not want to discuss the future on the first few dates. He is still trying to figure out if you two have similar interests and have fun together. Jeez…slow it down! School Zone time in the dating world!
4. And speaking of conversation, don’t bring up exes. The last thing a man wants to spend a date doing (when they are paying for the date and of course they are) is discussing what a JERK your ex-husband or boyfriend was who left you for your best friend that he was cheating with, and how he even took your communal dog with him too! Please! This is when less is more. Leave the gnarly details for later in the relationship. This kind of talk makes anyone look pathetic and who wants sloppy seconds?? That is how a man will think of it.
5. Don’t be a chatterbox! Women tend to manipulate the conversation due to nerves or just plain habit. This is one time to exercise your good judgment and take a tip from Kindergarten. Remember “Quiet Time”, well, it is time to bring it back! Ask a man about himself. Men LOVE to talk about themselves, we just don’t know it because we don’t give them time to get a word in edgewise, as we are too busy talking and formulating our next thought and sentence in our head before we get the last phrase out of our mouth. Take the focus off of you for the moment and listen to what your man is saying without thinking about your next clever come back. Be quiet and organically soak it all in. This way you will get to know who he is and what he stands for and he will know you are genuinely interested in him, always a plus on the dating scale!
6. And last in the area of conversation, be authentic, but don’t overshare! Always stay true to who you are, but don’t tell your entire life’s story on the first date. If you do, then what else is there to look forward to? And, you will exhaust the poor guy on day one. Our brains are only able to take in so much information at one time (and remember, this is a man who is not great at multitasking). Share your story piece by piece, one date at a time, and he will remember you and look forward to the next time he sees you so he can learn more!”
So, do you agree with D’Andra that “The man is the HUNTER, so let him HUNT…DON’T ask a man out”?
I’m asking that question of both women and men. What do you think? I’ve love to hear your opinions in the comments below,
D’Andra Simmons is a businesswoman and philanthropist. She is the founder of Hard Night Good Morning Skincare and an active volunteer for the Dallas community serving on the Advisory Board of Booker T. Washington School for the Performing Arts, volunteering with the Junior League of Dallas, AIDS Services of Dallas or Cattle Baron’s Ball for the American Cancer Society.
Excellent advice that worked for me…….still happily married 28 years later!
Good for you Molly! I think there are lots of different ways to approach a relationship but I enjoy hearing what others have to say.
Best, Jane
33 side 2
If you are close enough to get salt on a bird’s tail, you are close enough to catch it.
The white man builds a big fire and stands way back
The Indian builds a small fire and gets up close!
A slow dripping rain is sweeter than a flood.
What kind of love are we looking for!
Eros or Agape
Did the turtle win the race, or-the chasing fox?
How can the chasing greyhound court the rabbit?
The chasing panther we are not afraid of-it’s the turtle that scares us!
Strip planking a canoe together
stays together! (pun intended)
Love is in the air! xoxo
Mike
Interesting read, thanks Mike.
Mike,
I have noticed that you express your thoughts freely. But have you ever taken a chance to sit back and think to yourself, does this make me look like a fool? The difference between humans and animals is our ability of will. If you read the article, D’Andra is just going over the basics that have too often been overlooked or forgotten.
Hi Sophie and thanks for the comment!
Jane,
So, do you agree with D’Andra that “The man is the HUNTER, so let him HUNT…DON’T ask a man out”?
I’m asking that question of both women and men. What do you think? I’ve love to hear your opinions in the comments below.
Sophie;
Mike,
Ihave noticed that you express your thoughts freely. But have you ever taken a chance to sit back and think to yourself, does this make me look like a fool?
Mike,
Key words:
Fables
Riddles
Parables
I did answer Jane’s question with my opinion.
My opinion was done with those key words.
PS. this is not my first forum.
Calif. Zodiac
JonBene’t Ramsey
Girl Scout murders 1977
Jack the Ripper
Mary Phagan 1913
Nicole Brown
Some might have thought I was a fool on those too!
If I did an exclusive on one of these… The media would?
Or John Ramsey would?
Patsy Ramsey was a journalist, I doubt that she knew the
(writers vocabulary) to have written the note,
most journalist don’t!
The ransom note was written in the writers vocabulary.
I’m a fool?
Jane,
do you have my back with the
‘Shield Law’
Man need to do the chasing, but the ladies need to let him know they are interested. Guys don’t take clues well.
Lol that’s a great point Kyle. I think some women might need to know that!
I completely agree. Men don’t get enough opportunities to be the hero, the knight in shining armor these days. They are built to protect and help us. Women need to learn to let them!
Thanks for the thoughtful comments Vanessa. I enjoyed reading what you had to say!
Well I don’t quite agree. When I went to graduate school I was quite aggressive in sedking my husband as I had met him in undergrad at Dartmouth and even called Dartmouth to get his number. Then I called him, told him I was in New York, and how about a drink? We’ve been married for 34 years. How else would he have known I was in his town?
What a great story Candy! Which goes to show, it really does take all kinds in this world. And I think you did pretty good! All my best and thanks for writing, Jane
Candy, somehow, I don’t think you subscribed to D’Andra’s “Quiet Time” theory, either! And your husband loves that about you, too. It all depends on the man.
Lol Karen, I love D’Andra’s “Quiet Time” theory 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
Would I be corny if I said I married my best friend? I turned him down the first two times he asked me. (We met at work). He was always in the coffee break room when I was there and we’d sit and talk and talk. I really liked being with him. When he asked me out and turned him down – twice – a friend said I was making a big mistake. I told her I really enjoyed being with him and she asked me if I would go out with him if he asked me again. I said, “Fat chance, he’s not going to ask a third time!” And she said, “You never know.” He called the following week and we started dating and nine months later we married. In Feb. we’ll celebrate 49 years – and he’s still my best friend. I used to wonder how I would know when the right one came along. I can honestly say that I knew on our second date – he didn’t! – took him a little longer. It’s been a great life! (And we have two wonderful sons and two beautiful granddaughters.)
What a great story Mary, thank you so much for sharing. And Happy Thanksgiving!
Great job D’Andra!!! I’m sending this to all my single girlfriends. A fun quote to add. Legendary socialite Marella Agnelli asked her friend Countess Volpi for advice when she was trying to land her very wealthy husband. Volpi said, “Darling, it only takes a bed to land a rich man, but it takes the ability to listen, organize a household perfectly, and remain an elegant companion to keep him”.
From one who knows Will, lol. Thanks for your thoughts, jane