Your (Brief) Guide to Dating Women

Alright, guys- enough with the excuses! I don't care if women ARE from Venus; you've been exposed to them for long enough to know that there is no one-size-fits-all way to explain women. However, if you're interested in dating women, there are a couple of key lessons that will apply to sweeping the girl of your dreams off her feet, so pay attention.

LISTEN. I understand that a low cut shirt, tight pair of jeans or killer smile might be enough to send your mind wandering, but while you're on a mental vacation, she's giving you all the information to decide whether or not your interested, and figure out how to keep her. A friend of mine recently gave me a perfect example of why listening is key. It was a first date, he explained. She looked amazing, and I could barely pay attention to what she was saying. Several dates later, I found out, much to my dismay, that she was an exotic dancer, which is NOT what I was looking for. She was incredibly frustrated with my disinterest, given that she had told me about her profession on that first night. Enough said. Dating women requires listening.

Make an effort. Ask any woman, of any age or marital status, about what they appreciate most in their guys, and they'll tell you it's the little things. You don't need to shower us with diamonds and lavish gifts (though most of us won't complain), but putting forth a little bit of effort now and then certainly helps. Whether it's doing the dishes, a random love note, or taking her to a movie that she loves, even if you're not interested in it, your small efforts say big things to the girl you're involved with. When dating women, you have to know that we don't need the sun and the moon- just glimpses.

Don't try to change her. I know it's usually, stereotypically, the woman trying to change the man, but when you're dating women, it's important to try not to change them. There's a good chance she'll have a small habit that bothers you. She might be a bit of a slob, or perhaps she is obsessive compulsive about making to do lists. However, if something small like this is enough to make you want to change her, then perhaps she's not the right girl for you. When dating women, it's rare that your efforts to force her to change will be successful, and even if you are, it's going to create a lot of insecurity, which is often more difficult to deal with than the original problem.

Dating women has its highs and lows. Sometimes it's wonderful, and mostly it's hard. Still, if she's the one, it's worth the work that goes into it.