While speaking to other writers, relationship specialists and people who call themselves relationship specialists, I've noticed that my observations for the reasons of why some guys can never find their way into steady relationships is a bit controversial. I don't think they're controversial at all. I think everyone else sites characteristics that are assumed and pass: of course women don't like poor guys, unless the women are also poor--and even then it's not a guarantee. I believe we need to look at the reasons no one (no one in my social circle, anyway) seems to want to acknowledge. So, I give you--quite confidently--the five most underrated reasons why guys strike out.

You Put Her On a Pedestal.
I get it, guys. All women seem like they want to be worshiped. All women seem like they want to be a princess in the eyes of their men. All women seem like they want to be place on a pedestal and admired by the one they love. Well, I'm here to tell you that the operative word in all those examples is "seem." Stereotypically, guys are the ones who want to chase, prove themselves and win the affection of the woman. Well, women have a bit of that in them, too. They want to prove that they are princesses. If you treat them like that immediately, 1) there is no excitement in it for them and 2) you come off as a bit too desperate. Try this: treat women as if they are actual human beings and see what happens.

You're A SNAG.
The SNAG (Sensitive, New Age Guy) was once something intriguing in urban scenes around the country. But it was novel, lasted for a second, and is over. Women do like sensitivity in a man, but not womanliness. Too many guys think that a woman wants to see them cry during an emotional movie scene. Ah, no. When, at the end of the movie, the leading lady doesn't end up with the love of her life, you can say something like "That's gotta be tough," or "Well, that sucks." But tears. Listen, perhaps women shouldn't look down at guys who aren't afraid to cry. Maybe their willingness to cry in public is a sign that they are comfortable with their manhood and not afraid to show serious emotion. But girls don't see it that way, I don't care what they say. Girls hate tears on guys. Period.

You Assume Feminism.
When I say Feminism, I don't mean the buzz-cut, army boat wearing man hater; that's what I would call a Feminazi. When I say Feminist, I mean an empowered, autonomous woman who strongly believes in gender equality. Listen, the 60s (and the 90s) are over. Woman like when the door is opened for them and when the bills are paid by a man. It's true. If I applied 1/100th of the stuff I learned and realized in those feminism classes I took in college, I would never get laid. If I gave women 1/1000th of the respect I give to my sisters and my mother, I may as well become a priest. Women may say that they want to be equals, but that all goes down the toilet when a bill has to be paid or something has to be fixed. Women like an open-minded advocate of gender equality . . . to a degree. A woman doesn't mind making 75 cents to every man's dollar if that man is paying for everything, anyway. Feminism is on its deathbed, and women put it there.

You're The Funny Guy.
"I like a guy that can make me laugh," says almost every girl when you ask her what she wants in a guy. The problem is that she never finishes the thought: she wants a guy that can make her laugh. . . some of the time. Women want to know that a good sense of humor is there so that it can come out when necessary. No one wants a total clown. I don't care if you're the reincarnation of George Carlin, remember this: "Serious" is always sexier than "Funny." Serious plus a little bit of funny is dating material for many women. Funny with no serious, on the other hand, is a chick repellent.

You are Perfect.
As if it were attainable, perfection is only good on paper. Woman say they want a guy who always says the right thing, does the right thing, brings flowers at just the right time, knows your shoe size, memorized your dress size and is packing a phenomenal size. Yeah, it sounds great, but do you know how much pressure goes into dating a guy with so much of his act together. Insecurity is bound to ensue when you wake up, every day, next to a guy like that.
Women need guys who make mistakes; it makes them feel adequate, needed and, at times, superior. Relationships have to feed one's ego to some degree, woman or man. A perfect partner doesn't leave room for that. So don't talk too much about that MIT degree, that lucrative internet upstart, or how you retired at the age of 35. She can know about it, but hide it behind a couple imperfections. It'll just make things easier.

It sounds like I don't like women, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. I love them. I love them so much I observe them to the point of making lists about them. If I had to put a sixth item on this list, it would be to not let women know that I write lists like this. It's all true, though. Try it out for yourself.

What do you think that women want (when dating)?

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Would you date someone who had previously dated one of your friends?

Yes! I'm perfectly happy to date my friend's exes. They're exes for a reason.

No! It's too incestuous. I don't feel comfortable dating a friend's ex.

Maybe Yes: I haven't had the opportunity, but I don't see a problem with it.

Maybe No: I haven't done it, but I don't think I would.