A list of men who make rotten dating partners—with one exception.
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By Raven Muppet
This is not your mother’s dating experience. Gone are the days of meeting a great guy through a chance encounter, exchanging numbers, dating and living happily ever after. The explosion of online dating has effectively changed the dating (and mating) habits of today’s woman.
Online dating, designed to further expand one’s social network and expose you to a wider audience of potential suitors has, in my humble opinion, had the opposite effect and has essentially ensured you never find someone and keep them forever. There is always an option to check behind Door number two, three, or four. There are exceptions and I envy those. But my experience I know to be common.
Learning to date at 40(ish) with young kids and an ex-husband is a very different experience than when I last did it at 17. “What’s your number?” has taken on a whole new meaning. I won’t divulge my “#” but let’s just say it’s vast given my seven single years post-divorce.
In that vast experience, I have met and dated (and mated) with my share of men. I began to see a pattern and can now group these men into eight common types.
1. The Sex Guy.
That’s ALL he wants. Maybe it starts off with “Hi! Love your smile. Where was that photo taken? Do you like dogs? Can I buy you dinner” That rapidly turns into “I think you’re sexy and need some good hard lovin’” and “Wow. Your (breasts) are amazing. You free to have a drink on Friday and go from there?”
Maybe you do hook up (That’s okay! Let off some steam.) or maybe you don’t (okay too, not your thing). Maybe it’s fun, maybe it’s terrible. The sex could (and should) be amazing, mind blowing, hot. Or it could be awkward and over before you know it. And then there’s the graceless impromptu exit. It could be the start of something really great, or likely it’s a one-nighter, before the texting stops because he “got busy with work or his sick cat or car trouble.” Either way, you knew that wasn’t going anywhere so the experience is what it is.
2. The Desperate Guy.
This guy is so desperate for a relationship. Two weeks in, he’s in love with you, wants to spend his life with you, thinks you are amazing (You ARE amazing but how would he know that already?) He starts talking about vacationing together and planting a garden. He could cry every time you make love. He’s great, maybe a breath of fresh air and hope after number one above. But, eventually,t gets smothering. The exuberance over every little thing you do becomes exasperating and dubious. You dump him via text and he’s shocked and hurt but, seriously, you just can’t take him anymore.
3. The Hurt Guy
He could be number two at some point but, right now, he’s taking things a little slower. Great, that’s not a bad thing. Date three he tells you that he’s been cheated on and he has trust issues. You feel sad for him, want to hold him and protect him and love him, show him that we are all not like his ex-wife. Date four, you’re hot and heavy and ready to take the next step. Heat of passion, kissing is intense, you take it to the bedroom and boom, his trusted “friend” decides he’s not working tonight, or not working well. Insecurity is evident, confidence is gone. Try as you may, be patient, be supportive, pull out every dirty trick and move you know to get him ramped up (literally), but it’s just not happening. You find yourself sitting on the couch watching movie upon movie so that he can avoid going to bed with you. Eventually, you get the deflective “It’s not me, it’s you. You’re simply not the type of woman I want or am attracted to. Adios.” You could take it personally but you, him, and his little “friend” all know the real reason.
4. The Married Guy.
Maybe you don’t know it at first because he kept his status hidden. Maybe he’s in one of those “open or polyamorous relationships.” But he’s smoking hot … and he wants you and you’re tempted. It could be fun! Taboo and thrilling. It could be an adventure to experience a more open, supposedly evolved relationship built on trust and security and honesty. Maybe his partner even welcomes you! But, at the end of the day, he’s not yours. He never will be despite how much he claims you are his perfect woman or the love he has for you. He will continue to see you as long as you allow. You will eventually fall for him unless you’re smart enough to leave first. Maybe you bore with his ‘lifestyle’ and always being the option. Maybe his partner decides you’ve gotten too close and now you must be disposed of like trash. Either way, it doesn’t end in happily ever after. Don’t waste your precious time. He’s unworthy, despite how hot or nice he is. Thank him for the offer and walk away.
5. The Young Guy.
What’s the minimum age that you would consider dating? Is being a cougar still considered negative? Does it change as we age or as our tenure in singledom lengthens? Young men can be very complimentary. They love our maturity and “lack of drama,” our confidence and direction in life. They could be a great ego booster. They are energetic and super fun in bed, perhaps not as finessed as more experienced lovers but don’t rule them out. Could you have a future with one? Maybe. Men can do it, why can’t women?
6. The Old Guy
At one point in my dating ‘career,’ I started to wonder if that was all that I could attract now at my age, old men desperate to find someone to love them. It could work. It could be the best experience of your life. I dated a man 14 years older than me for several months and it was wonderful. He still had plenty of stamina and no confidence issues. Perhaps it was aided by a little blue pill but who cares? He was amazing in bed. The issue with him was he didn’t want to have a life with young children again. Been there, done that. Wanted someone with a little more freedom. Fair enough. Kiss him, hug him, and wish him luck.
7. The Confirmed Bachelor.
He’s completely unavailable emotionally for more than a few hours. He makes it clear that a traditional relationship is not in the cards. He is a GOD in bed. He is charismatic and funny. He’s intriguing, a challenge. But, alas, will never be ours. He will always be considerate and friendly towards you though. We all want what we can’t have, right? Enough said.
8. The One.
Maybe you recognize him instantly. Maybe he’s been under your nose for a long time and you didn’t see him. But when you recognize him, you imprint and the stars align and suddenly all of the seven above fade to black. Nothing else matters. He is your dream. He’s not perfect, but he’s perfect for you. When you find him, let me know. A girl needs hope these days.
Related Articles:
- Dating After Divorce: Swimming In A Shallow Pool!
- 5 Dating Tips for Infidelity Survivors
- Five Men Every Divorced Mom Needs
- What are the legal implications of dating during and after divorce?
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This article originally appeared on Divorced Moms.
This is drivel. It stereotypes men, ridicules male expression of emotions, and perpetuates a number of stupidly sexist myths, including the most pervasively idiotic of all, the myth of “the one” good man who comes to rescue the princess. What is this misandric bunkum doing on a website purporting to be about and for men?
9. The (short) One: the one that fits the bill for everything you want and need, but isn’t 6′ tall, so you give him a pass and wait for your perfect unicorn to show up. Good luck with that…
Most of the women in my life are married to or dating someone who is infact, not 6″ feet tall. They are not with these men while they wait for their “perfect unicorn”. They are dedicated to their relationships, find their partner sexy and want to be in partnership with him.