Tall, dark, and handsome — those are the three words that many women use to describe their ideal date. But, how accurate is that really? How many tall, dark, and handsome men have you met that have actually broken your heart? There are so many other great features in a boyfriend that often get looked over. Here are a few that any woman will be lucky to find in a guy.
- He can admit when he’s wrong. Everyone’s tired of a know-it-all, especially when he doesn’t know as much as he thinks he does. The right guy can admit when he’s wrong and also apologize for his mistakes. Being wrong is part of being human, and you don’t want to be with someone who can’t admit they made a mistake, especially a small one.
- He’ll let you splurge on occasion without making it an issue. It’s one thing to enable a spending problem. It’s another to not raise an eyebrow if you choose to get a dessert with lunch. You don’t want to be with a guy who makes you feel bad about small decisions. If you work hard and really want to buy a shirt, he won’t say something like, “don’t you already have enough shirts like that?” You’re an adult and you have a say in how you spend your money and time. If you can do so without constant guilt, you likely have a good boyfriend.
- He can fit in flawlessly with your family and friends. Is there anything better than having a boyfriend who can carry a conversation? If he’s making an effort to seamlessly join in on the conversation at your next gathering, you have a keeper. It’s such a relief knowing he’ll be okay on his own in a group setting.
- He has an attention to detail. He might not get it right all the time, but a great boyfriend puts in the effort to remember who your work friends are, and who your high school friends are. He might ask follow-up questions in order to make sure he’s more invested in the story. It can be hard for us to discuss our inner worlds with others, but feeling listened to and understood is huge.
- He looks out for you on trips. Before you pack the car, he keeps an inventory of things you might need that you may forget — like, a hoodie, a pair of sunglasses, and any medication. Being prepared for both of you is a very special trait. It means that he wants you to have the best time you can without any obstacles in the way. It’s also good if he pre-plans to the level where he knows where the closest Target is to your destination — just in case you need any last-minute essentials.
- He also naturally thinks about you. If you’re at a bar, he’ll naturally know to pick up your favorite cocktail for you while ordering without having to ask. He views the two of you as a package deal, and always tries to include you in his decision-making. It’s nice to feel like you’re being taken care of.
- He doesn’t keep score. It’s human to “keep score” of how many times you’ve taken out the garbage versus him. But, it’s a bad pattern to get into, especially since it’s a great way to form a big grudge. He acknowledges the work you do and doesn’t respond back with, “but I did that yesterday” if you ask for a favor.
- He doesn’t blab about your sex life to his friends. Not too many guys do, but some feel like it’s an appropriate conversation. And, it’s not — that is, unless you’ve both agreed to be completely open with the topic. It’s good to know that some things within your relationship will stay between the two of you, especially when it’s a potentially vulnerable topic.
- He finds a genuine way to compliment you. As you get older, you might grow comfortable in your relationship, meaning that compliments might not happen quite as often. But, a great boyfriend will always find a way to make you feel good about yourself. Even something like “wow, are those new shoes?” is a positive, since it shows he notices smaller details.
- He’s self-aware. Being self-aware is one of the greatest traits to have. If he happens to have a temper, he’ll know to try and control himself before things get out of hand. And, if he tends to be snippy at night after a day of work, he can recognize he can get that way and plan around it. We’re all human and we all have bad traits. But trying to get control of them and acknowledging they exist is huge when it comes to a relationship.
