May 23, 2013

The 3 Things Men Are Looking For In A Relationship

899d25447a02d572ce60e05ad52910a4 The 3 Things Men Are Looking For In A Relationship

(Phatforums News / YourTango.com) — The way to a man’s heart isn’t complicated. Fulfill these 3 needs, and he’ll be yours long-term.

Women frequently ask me what guys are looking for in their relationships with the women in their lives. And although they may realize how uncomplicated guys are, they are still usually surprised by the simplicity of my answer. In general, men are looking for three things when they become involved romantically with a woman:

1) Sex
2) Comfort
3)

And that’s pretty much it. And while there are certainly some men who have additional prerequisites on their relationship checklists, they are by far the minority, and don’t really merit much examination in a about men and their .

So on to the first thing that men want (and the highest on their “to-do” list): Sex. As you know, sex is mucho important to guys. It’s what motivates us to get out of bed every morning (with the hope that soon we’ll be hopping back in for a steamy with an equally hot ). And as much as most men love to eat, if guys had to choose between sex and food, would be the number one cause of death in the . So it only makes sense that one of the primary things we look for in our relationships is . And while that sounds as if we might be rating your performance in some way, -be-told, if you’re willing to get naked with us on a regular basis – then by our , we’re perfectly compatible.

Okay, let’s now talk about “comfort.” Men often look to their women to provide a safe haven, a comfortable place, a warm atmosphere in which to escape the of everyday life. I’m not talking about a physical environment, but an emotional one (although the physical comfort of resting our weary head on your soft breast is a big favorite of ours). We like to kick back with you in a relaxed atmosphere, away from the pressures of the outside world. We like your supportive attitude and soothing words. We relish your warmth and understanding. In other words, your very presence makes us feel better. Conversely, if you treat us with disdain, criticism and antipathy (like most of the rest of the world), we’re likely to want to be anywhere but where you are.

And now to “companionship.” Like it sounds, what we are looking for is someone who is fun to just be around; a person who shares our interests, dreams, goals and sense of humor; someone who’s just cool to hang out with and willing to accompany us on elaborate (and sometimes hair-brained) adventures. We want a woman who obviously enjoys our company as much as we enjoy hers. And when we’ve found that person we have so much in common with, it is only natural that we try and maximize our time together – so powerful is the draw of compatibility.

So there you have the shockingly simple truth about what we seek in our relationships with you. I know it must seem as if we’re searching for more: perhaps a partner, soul mate, life mate, coffee mate (sorry, couldn’t resist), co-parent or roommate. But actually, although once in awhile that may be our quest, usually our bottom line desire is for the above-mentioned “Big 3.” And unlike GM and Chrysler, if your guy has those things with you, your relationship will never need a government bailout.

© 2009 David M. Matthews. All Rights Reserved.

Besides being a relationship coach and author of the controversial book, “Every Man Sees You Naked: An Insider’s Guide to How Men Think,” David M. Matthews is an Emmy-winning TV Writer/Producer who’s worked on some of television’s best shows.

For more information on David or to get a copy of his free report on “The 3 Things Men Are REALLY Looking For In A Relationship,” go to www.EveryManSeesYouNaked.com.

National Best Friends Day: 8 Types Of Friendships To Help You Grow As A Person

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(Phatforums News / The Frisky) — Happy National Best Friends Day! (No, really. It is!) When it comes to major life transitions and decisions about careers, romantic entanglements, sexual dilemmas, health, and possibly or , who’s got your back, ladies? That’s right, your girlfriends. In our lives we can’t cast the perfect variety pack of girlfriends, as the creators of “” did – nor would we want to, as gradually getting to know each other is the best part of a relationship – though, if we’re lucky, we do have different kinds of friendships we’ve accumulated over the years to suit the very different aspects of our complex lives. There are eight types of friendships I’ve cultivated that have been essential to my growth as a person. Too bad all these ladies don’t live locally (because a posse would be so nice!), so that I could get them together at the Sunday brunch table, but I can keep them on speed dial.1. A Playmate-Turned-Lifemate: If we’re lucky, we have a best friend who’s known us since forever—yes, a . You know, the friend who knew you when you tucked your jeans into your socks, wore head gear and liked Def Leppard, or maybe even when you still sucked your thumb. You’ve seen each other grow up and no matter how different your lives are now – one of you could have and a house in the country, while the other could be single and live in the city – you’ll always know where you came from and are reminders to each other of how far you’ve come. And you’ll always know, deep down, what insecure, goofy dorks you both are.

2. A Fellow Alum: Never mind the we couldn’t stand, most of us had at least one who became a buddy for the ages. And of course she did, because you went through adult life boot camp together – surviving all-nighters, near-, college hookups and —and had to talk a lot ‘cause you didn’t have a TV. Of course there were fights, too. (She’s not your mother — clean the mini-fridge yourself!) You’ll never experience such an intense period of growing up ever again, though you’ll always have this friend as a witness of the transformation.

3. A Fierce Bitch: If you’re lucky, you have that friend who doesn’t want to hear the B.S. when you chitchat. She only wants to know how you’re really doing, ‘cause she wants to help if you’re not doing so hot. My friend Sally, an artist I became close with after writing a profile on her for a magazine, credits “her ladies” with getting her through the tough spots in life and she’s at the ready with a pep talk or the straight dope whenever we need it. She’s told me that I am amazing and that I deserve better so many times that now believe her.

4. A Free Spirit: She doesn’t have to drive a Prius, be a vegan, or be a medical marijuana grower in California—but she could! This friend makes you feel more alive when she breezes through town and makes you question your life choices, in a good way, when you catch up on the phone. She travels to Asia, Africa, all over the world, can’t read enough, has a voracious thirst for learning about the world, lives on her own terms, and she keeps you on your toes. She is the friend who makes you question what you believe in, culturally and politically, and who sometimes changes your mind for the better.

5. A Domestic Goddess: This is a friend who doesn’t get caught up in the rat race, isn’t desperately looking for her and really doesn’t deal with drama. Instead she’s invested in her backyard garden, brewing beer in her bathtub and inviting friends over for hot cocoa. Her house is a haven for many, a warm, cozy, and peaceful retreat. Whenever I spend time with my domestic goddess friend, I remember that the simplest pleasures in life — friends, food and drink — should be the most treasured. There is a lot to learn from someone who relishes living simply.

6. Opposites Attract: Every girl needs a friend to be the yin to her yang. While I’m a flighty, sensitive art major/writer who doesn’t always pay her bills on time, I have a friend who is a shark of a corporate lawyer who always asks me about the bottom line when I’m trying to make a decision. And in turn, I help her weigh the emotional ramifications of her choices. There are genius moments when we complete each other, when we’re not annoyed by how flaky/uptight the other is.

7. A Woman Of A Certain Age: Every woman needs an older friend at every stage of her life, a woman who’s “been there, done that” and can give advice on a major life decision that she’s already made. In high school one of my best friends was the woman I babysat for. She often would give me her own version of the “It gets better” talk – which my melodramatic 16-year-old self needed to hear. One of my dearest friends now, who in her mid-40s is 10 years my senior, is juggling a career, marriage, a kid and a sick parent. While I can’t imagine what that life stage feels like, I have a sense because of knowing her — and know I can talk to her when I get there.

8. She’s Just A Girl: In return, it’s important to be a mentor to a younger woman and to cultivate a deep friendship, when you can, as an older sis type. I have one friend in particular to whom I can now dole out my “been there, done that” advice, and trust me, it makes me feel just as rejuvenated to give the advice as she feels to receive it. Sharing my wisdom with someone younger reminds me of what I’ve learned along my own life journey. Also: my younger girlfriend makes me feel younger, too, by letting me in on the latest trends in fashion, music, youth culture, and slang. And that’s kind of “amazeballs.”

Cohabitating Is Pretty Much a Relationship Death Wish

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(Phatforums News/ The Stir) - I hate to say it, but there may be some to your mother’s warning about him not wanting to buy the when he already has the milk. It’s a crude saying of course, but a new study done by the Australian Family Institute has found that cohabitating couples are three to five times more likely to split up then living together. While it might not be surprising — couples dating but living together have less commitment therefore making it easier to leave — I think there’s something to it. If 25 to 38 percent of cohabitating couples split while only 7 to 9 percent of cut it off, maybe was right. Maybe we shouldn’ into playing house without first a ring.

Not that is the end all be all — the research also showed that the average length of a is now 8.7 years which, believe it or not, is actually up from 1980, when it was 7.5 years. So either way, the outlook is not a guaranteed happily ever after.

I think many of us, especially we young ones in large cities, take moving in together with a boyfriend a little more casually than maybe we should. I know I did. I moved in with a boyfriend after one blissful year of dating. I remember thinking how perfect it would be. Better place, better , cheaper rent, live-in … yeah all that quickly pales when you’re faced with the reality that playing house isn’t as fun as it seems. There’s no escape. Yeah, you may have spent every night with your boyfriend at his place before deciding to get an together, but there was a choice involved. You could’ve gone home, he knew that, you were choosing each other, it was all so romantic.

Then when you move in, the choice is gone, you have to be there every night, and the permanency can be overwhelming. It was for me at least. The live-in is steep, so you might start asking what you’re doing — putting up with all this — and you might bolt. It’s what I did.

I think the study puts some factual numbers on an emotional circumstance, but they have a point. If you wait to move in, if you wait until you really know someone, if you’re at a point where you’re ready to spend your lives with one another, then living together will be more rewarding, and I would argue easier, since the commitment is there from both sides. Running becomes harder; there’s more to work for to save if things go sour. But, really, what do I know, I’m a bolter.