Dating Tips: Top 10 Worst Traits in a Man

Unlike in years before, today’s women have a very visual and detailed idea of what they want in a man. Thanks to television, movies and the like, we all can grasp an image of the stereotype ideal – smooth, smiling, confident men who always seem to be wearing and saying the right things. Yes, we understand that women want a man who cares a little about their appearance and health; yes, we understand that women need more than just the knowledge you love them; yes, we definitely understand that your needs are as important as our own.

It’s easy to come up with a list of the most desirable or ideal traits for the perfect man, however knowing what women DO NOT want is also key. Surprising to some, most men do try to act and dress in a way that they think will attract women at least in some form; unfortunately, sometimes guys try so hard with the big picture, they do not realize when they are letting the little things go.

Recently, the world’s largest speed dating and singles event company ran a survey asking women to name what they would consider the least desirable trait for a man to have. Many of the responses were obvious, and don’t need listing: body odour, bad teeth, bad breath…big surprise. Others however, were much more unique and interesting.

Women will be women, and love it or hate it, they are extremely observant, often with things that the average male would never notice. The unique ‘pet peeve’ traits exposed by the study are so fascinating because many of them fall under that category – most guys don’t even realize they are issues, let alone deal breakers for many girls.

The most intriguing responses from the results are:

1) Pants that are not long enough – For some reason, pants that just slightly too short really annoy girls. One woman wrote “If they’re drastically short, I just feel bad and turn away. If they’re just and inch or less too short, it’s even worse. I can’t turn away. I am annoyed and disgusted.”

2) Not washing your hands (both after going to the washroom, and before eating) – This one shouldn’t have to be explained. Please, gentlemen, wash your hands; women notice when you don’t.

3) Dry lips – Chapped lips translate to a chafing, sand-papery kiss, and can turn a cute face into a disappointment.

4) Talking about any other girls (any!) - That means your mom, sisters, friends, and of course, the ex. This only applies to early on, in the first date or meetings.

5) Flexing, and talking about your muscles – It’s cheesy, lame and a certain turn-off.

6) Popping your collar – or any other trend that was cool two years ago, especially if it was thetrend at the time. Anything noticeably hot from the past becomes noticeably not once the fad has ended. FYI – trends don’t last longer than a year usually, if that.

7) Name dropping – If it legitimately comes into the conversation or story it’s no problem. But constantly dropping names, trying to impress, and talking about how many famous or powerful people you know is an instant turn off. Not only is it annoying, it may lead her to believe that she isn’t good enough for you if she also is not powerful or rich as your ‘friends.’

8) Wearing shorts in the winter – It’s cold out, get over it. You’re no less a man for wearing pants when it’s cold out, but you are less a man if you show you’re too stubborn to change with the season. In the worst cases, men do it to show how ‘manly’ they are, somehow thinking it is manly if they convince you they cannot feel the cold. Women know you can feel the cold. Remember, women have a distinction between manly and stupid. Shorts in the winter falls under ‘stupid.’

9) Refusal to accept baldness – This includes everything from the half-cut to the comb-over and everything in between. Balding is a part of life. Accept it; women do. Embrace it and move on, as they do with sagging breasts and bottoms. Such is life.

10) Carrying a XXL condom around, and letting everyone know it – Not only is this a turnoff, it’s obnoxious and sends the message that you just want to get laid, which is probably not the best tactic to take, even if that is your only goal. It doesn’t make you look like a big man (in both senses of the term,) it only serves to degrade both you and her.

Don’t feel bad or embarrassed if you are guilty of employing one or more from the list; just learn from it and move on. You can always turn the offense into a joke later…remember, ladies love laughter!

FastLife is the world's largest speed dating company, hosting over 150 events monthly in forty-seven cities across 6 countries. Known for their premium service, FastLife offers such events as Washington DC Speed Dating and Houston Speed Dating.