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My boyfriend recently told me that guys brag about their girlfriends to their boys. This was no surprising revelation to me, especially since I know men can be just as gossipy, if not more so, than women. He didn’t exactly crack the DaVinci Code. But I got to wondering if guys gloat about the same things women do. You know how your girls are when they first meet a guy they’re head over heels for: They talk about how good looking he is, or ask him to run you and your girls around so they can see what kind of car he drives. You know, the silly superficial stuff.
But once you’re past the honeymoon stage and your friends see that he’s still there after a few months, now they’re curious as to what makes him so great that you actually keep him around. Looks, a job, his car, his money – these are all things that may attract us, but not things that make a great person. Bragging about a man’s looks or how much money he makes will only make your friends think you’re shallow – and you probably are. But if you really want your girls to give you props – because after all, why else would you be obnoxiously boasting – then make sure your man has these brag-worthy traits before you go running your mouth trying to make everyone jealous and crazy in the process.
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1. He’s Consistent/Reliable
Nothing is as refreshing as a man who calls when he says he will. Some men will have you waiting by the phone for days or weeks when he says he’ll call you tomorrow, or in an hour. What about when he says he’ll pick you up from work, only to have you sitting there looking homeless before you finally decide to take a taxi or the subway home? Most men will put their best foot forward in the beginning stages of a relationship, so he’ll be on time and do everything he says he’ll do…for a little while. But after they get comfortable, they no longer think that consistency is a big deal. Wrong. If he continues to be reliable, that’s a noteworthy trait…one worth bragging about.
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2. He’s Thoughtful
Some men shows up on your first date with flowers and candy, only for you to never see that romantic side of him again. After all, he’s got you now, so small gestures like that aren’t important to him anymore, right? Such isn’t the case with all men. If he hears how stressed you are at work and decides to send you flowers to cheer you up, rubs your feet when you get home or has a nice bath drawn for you, then this is a guy worth bragging about. Most men only do those things on holidays that most men dread, like Valentine’s Day or an anniversary. But if he sends roses to your job just because it’s Tuesday then we can see why your girls might be a little jealous.
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3. He Makes Time For You
Some men are so wrapped up in their own lives they forget to connect. Ever see a couple out on a date, only for one (or both) of them to be on their cell phones the whole time texting or checking their Facebook? Sad, right? A guy who is into you shuts it all down and only wants to give his undivided attention to you. So while your girls are on dates with guys who are more concerned with their Twitter feed, your man only has eyes for you.
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4. The Sex is Crazy
Okay, this may seem a bit superficial as well, but a man who can put it down in the bedroom all the time is something to brag about. Sex between couples can become routine after a while and he may not pull out his bag of tricks after you been together for a long time. But a man who makes an effort to keep things spicy is a keeper. I’m sure all men secretly (or not so secretly) hope that their woman is bragging on his sexual prowess and will do whatever it takes to make us want to kiss and tell. I’ll be the first to say that sharing personal sexual information with your friends is probably tacky, but if you can tell all your girls how wack a dude is in bed, then it might be fair game to tell them how satisfied you are…and leave it at that.
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5. He Gives You Space
Some women like being smothered because they think that means their man must really love them if he’s up under her 24/7. But a guy who truly values you will give you your space to do things you want to do, spend time with your friends or develop outside interests. I’m sure some of us have a friend who can’t – or won’t – go out because her man is at home giving her the stank eye if she even THINKS about leaving him at home by himself. Not cool. A secure man will have no problem with you having a life outside of him, and will encourage you and support you. If your man is cool like that, give yourself a pound!
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6. He’s Adaptable
There are some men who only know how to operate in one lane. Either they only feel comfortable in baggy jeans and work boots or they rock a sharp suit and tie daily and have no idea how to dress down. But a guy who can navigate between scenarios is one who deserves a second glance. If he can rise to any occasion, adapt to any environment and be left in a room at a party by himself and not only hold his own, but be the life of the party, then he’s a keeper…and your girlfriends will know it.
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7. He Stays Fresh For You
We all do it at some point: begin to get a little lazy and let ourselves go a little bit after we’ve been comfortable in a relationship for a while. You might not wear makeup every day like you used to and he may not shave or keep a fresh cut as often as he did when you first started dating. But if your man makes the same effort he did in the very beginning to keep himself looking good for you, then you’d better make sure you’re keeping up with him before you go telling your girls how fly your man is on the regular. Sure, he might just be a metro-sexual and his interest in staying fresh-to-death has nothing to do with you. But if you know your man couldn’t care less about clothes or cologne, but keeps himself up just for you even when you don’t demand it, then he’s a man worth talking about.
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8. He’s a Gentleman
They say chivalry is dead and it seems like most guys barely unlock the car door for you, let alone actually OPEN it so you can get in. But if you’ve never opened a door, pulled out your own chair or carried your own groceries over the course of your relationship, then he’s definitely a man worth holding on to. Men only do those things for women they respect and have an appreciation for; and if he does it for complete strangers, family or your girlfriends as well, then even better. That means he’s a true gentleman and was raised right. Everyone will take notice.
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9. He Invests In You
Some guys will only do the bare minimum required in a relationship, and so long as a woman doesn’t make too many demands on him, he’s fine. But if he goes out of his way to spend any extra time he has with you, help you with something that took him hours to complete, does extra favors for you or goes above and beyond what is expected of him, then he loves you and those closest to you will see that. After all, these characteristics of your ideal man are not just about bragging about him, but about your relationship – so kudos to you if you’ve found that great guy who is your everything and makes you want to shout from the mountaintops!
