Not “they’re all the same,” but there are definitely some commonalities! Knowing these eight traits of the vast majority of men will help you better understand your partner in common life situations.
Listen silently
“You’re not listening to me at all!” is one of the most popular complaints about a man. The fact is that women are much more accustomed to listening actively: nodding, expressing emotions, commenting. Men sometimes listen silently, thinking over the words of the interlocutor. Therefore, instead of being offended by the lack of reaction, even before finishing, ask him questions on the topic at the end of the monologue and be surprised how attentively he actually listened to you.
There is anything
Most men really don’t care what they eat, they are less selective in this matter. Of course, a partner won’t eat chips for lunch or glazed donuts for dinner just because of his gender. But when it comes to choosing a dish for dinner or a restaurant where you plan to go, a man often shrugs his shoulders. If you really need to know his opinion, offer several options to choose from. Men usually have only one criterion: that it is satisfying. And if it is not, you can eat another portion. In general, only rare gourmets will appreciate shrimp dumplings instead of regular pelmeni.
Offering a solution when you don’t need one
We bet you’ve had this happen! You pour out your heart to your husband for half an hour, and after listening to him, he tells you how to solve all your problems: it’s elementary, you just need to follow his wise advice, and your life will get better. But you didn’t want solutions, you wanted compassion. This often happens because for men, conversations usually have a practical meaning, and for women, an emotional one. He’s not making fun of you, he’s trying to help. To reduce such awkward situations, have a heart-to-heart talk and explain what kind of reaction he’ll give you that will be pleasant and useful.
Hide your feelings
It is no secret that most men find it difficult to show emotions: every child knows that “boys don’t cry”. Not only do grown-up boys not cry, but sometimes they themselves do not understand their feelings, not to mention openly expressing them. A simple trick will help to melt the emotional ice of the chosen one: instead of asking questions about feelings, touch on the topic indirectly, talking about specific situations. “Do you like it when friends come over?”, “Do you think I should go alone, or would you like to join us?”, “Maybe you want to see your brother?” – simple, well-aimed questions will give a clear understanding of what is on his mind and will ultimately bring you closer together.
Keep your word
Many women find men irresponsible and believe that they are inherently commitment-phobic, which is why a proposal can take years (and never happen). However, this belief is debatable: in a survey of married men, 90% of respondents said they would marry the same woman again if they had to go back in time and make the choice again. Keeping your word is honorable in a man’s world, so guys may need more time to make life-changing decisions like marriage. They avoid promises they are not sure of, even if it is a symbolic vow during a ceremony.
Check people in action
Men need more than just trust each other to become friends. True friends are revealed if not by trouble, then by a common cause – and that’s when it becomes clear who is worth what. In romantic relationships, joint activities are also an important part of communication, just like heart-to-heart talks for women. Sports, travel, active dates – all this will help a man feel close to you outside the shared bed.
Separate “male” and “female” activities
While you would almost certainly be open to taking your partner shopping, most men would rather go to the gym or, say, the garage without a female companion. Everyone needs their own space and time, but if your partner has designated something as male territory, try to respect his choice and not cross the figurative line. Having “male” activities doesn’t, after all, prevent you from spending time together in other interesting ways.
Switch quickly
Women tend to dwell on negative experiences longer and may feel stressed, anxious, and sad for days or even weeks after their misadventures. Men, on the other hand, are less likely to dwell on failures. So if you feel the need to discuss yesterday’s argument with your partner, he or she may have completely forgotten about it. Try to talk about such things at a time when it is still relevant to both of you.