The Beauty of Men

My pal Linda Lou, writer/comic/human extraordinaire, co-hosts the Aging Nymphs Internet radio show on Wednesday nights, exploring the reality (and comedy) of a variety of topics. The show started off as a forum intended for the female demographic, but the Aging Nymphs have a pretty strong male following now, too.

The most recent show discussions featured what men look for in women. Starting this week, they are turning the tables and are polling the ladies with what they look for or appreciate in men. When I received an email from Linda Lou earlier this week asking for my feedback on that very topic, I could not resist. At first I had instinctively began with the superficial: good-looking, wealthy, owner of a luxury vehicle and sexy red speedboat...but then I got to thinking that when it comes to snagging a good fella, the material things are not important.

So what makes a great guy in my eyes? At his core, a man has to be considerate and have a heart. Additionally, here is a list of things that I think make up a quality guy:

• Confidence. The vast majority of men out there walk a fine line between confident and cocky. A good man knows how to NOT be a jerk, while being able to embrace his vulnerability. Guys who show severe signs of insecurity through their words and/or actions typically don't make the grade either.

• Stability. I would like to end up with a man with an unyielding sense of self, both mentally and emotionally. This is a guy who has his own identity, doesn't try to be someone he's not, is totally reliable, and accepts his past in order to make his future the best he can make it. He should have ambition and be sensible enough to know which dreams to chase.

• Social aptitude. Kudos to men who are able to carry themselves in any social setting and be able to connect with a woman one on one without being overwhelming or awkward. Men should not only be able to carry on a conversation, but also have some class. Guys who are socially inept are so unattractive. Women like the gentlemen, not dudes who hoot and holler at females to get their attention.

• Spontaneity. Guys, don't be stiffs. Seek adventure and try new things! Furthermore, I don't care what any woman says - ladies enjoy being romanced. A guy who catches us off guard and can sweep us off our feet every once in a while is sexy. I hate when I hear men say that it's gay if they act romantic. Honestly, guys, it's gay if you don't.

• Sense of humor. Laughter and happiness go hand in hand. A man without a good sense of humor is just plain boring, is likely without a personality, and is usually a waste of time.

• Intelligence. Nothing turns us girls off more than a guy who thinks he knows everything, when clearly he does not. A really smart guy is well-rounded, open-minded, knows when to chime in, and is aware of those times in life when words just aren't needed. Intelligence isn't about IQ's; it's more about appreciating life and all of the diverse things in the world, and showing real interest in all of it.

Ok, I know. These all sound like high standards, right? I like to think that I am a woman of substance, so simply looking for an exquisite male specimen with requisite penis is so yesterday. I realize that no handsome man exists with all of these characteristics, but a girl can dream. I'll settle for a dude with at least 3 of the above 6 qualities.

To hear more on this topic and what A.N. might have to say about my response, tune in to the Aging Nymphs show Wednesday at 8pm Pacific time via the Aging Nymphs web site. And for some good reading, check out Linda Lou's blog here.

Disclaimer: The above blog post is not an indicator that I am looking for a boyfriend. Think of it as a social experiment of sorts, simply exploring an idea...