I cannot recommend this book more. My dating history would have looked completely different if I had read this in my 20s. I approached dating as I approach making friends, and that is simply not the dynamic of dating men. Though the title may be a turn off, it's a really about having self-respect, self-worth, and how to translate that to a man in subtle ways so that he treats you the way you deserve to be treated and how to know when to walk away because that man is incapable of doing so. It was so empowering and helpful in concrete, actionable ways. |
I and another PP recommended why men love b****es above, and you should probably read that. But some things that are probably examples of “doing everything right”: 1. Dropping everything to be with him when he wants you to 2. Cooking/baking for him a lot or too soon 3. Doing his laundry or cleaning his house 4. Letting him get away with saying something rude, ever. 5. Being willing to accept huge flaws like drinking too much, being unemployable, etc. 6. Smoothing over situations by readily accepting blame or apologizing a lot. 7. Asking for respect and good treatment verbally (as though it’s negotiable), or stooping to explaining to him why something is disrespectful acceptable. 8. Not maintaining your own friends, interests, etc. Being too available for a man. You want a man to be a part of your life, not the main plot. 9. Changing your interests or personality for him. |
Nice guys aren’t interested in women who don’t have a strong enough sense of self to “do everything right.” I am over generalizing here, but I say this because after several bad relationships (not as bad as yours but definitely not good), I read Why Men Love B****es and married a nice guy one year later. I didn’t teach me how to find a nice guy, it taught me to stop being desperate. After that I attracted a different kind of man. |
This is sadly often true. |
I have never been ghosted or cheated on. I personally thing that men who do this give signs they will do this that you should heed. Not talking about someone who has an affair after many years of marriage bc it seems like that could happen to a lot of people who get blindsided. |
I’ve never been ghosted or cheated on either but I disagree with you. Soooo many men (and women!) just straight up lie to get what they want. They are excellent actors. They tend to go after people who are more vulnerable/desperate, but even the most confident, level-headed women can get cheated on. |
| Are you putting out too soon? |
If a man is the type to discard women because they "put out" too soon that's not the type of man a woman should be dating. Womem should stop be given advice that basically asks them to put up with hypocrisy. |
| Where are you meeting men? |
I agree, unless the woman is having sex mostly because the guy wants it and she wants to keep him happy. That’s desperate and shows a lack of self-respect. |
I feel you likely select trash men. Try meeting and going out with nicer men who will treat you better. Your choice. |
Yep, men like a little difficulty. They also like slightly catty women, despite what they say. |
News flash (apparently): Men don't like high maintenance and demanding bltches. It's just that attractive women are proportionally high maintenance and demanding bltches, so guys put up with that crap because they're hot. Another news flash: Men DO have respect for women who are kind to them. You should try it sometime. |
Exactly. Pick better men, OP. |
Implement what, PP - being unkind to men? WTF. I think being independent is great, but unkind or catty? That’s ridiculous. |