How Not to Score a “Millennium Woman”

This article does not reflect my personal views, but that of a number of single women aged between their mid-twenties and mid-thirties and in the dating circa

BEING A GENTLEMAN:

Opening car doors and pulling chairs out in restaurants is cheesy and for “old folk” according to six out of the twelve women I talked to about what puts them off new dates in the early stages. Mannerisms are still a high priority, these “Millenium Women” (as they call themselves) won’t put up with unnecessary rudeness, but don’t waste your efforts being too much of a gentleman as it just doesn’t cut these days. Tell a woman she looks good/great in the early stages, but don’t go overboard ie, saying you like the colour she’s wearing or the outfit suits her shape. This comes across as “too eager”.

SHIP-SHARP, DRESS SMART(ish):

According to Georgia, 26 the hem line of a mans trousers should be no higher than his ankle bone when seated. A millimetre higher and he’s out the door. Scruffy footwear or “pimp shoes” (pointed toed,shiny leather) are also a big no-no. Open front shirts are fine if guys are bare chested but if guys are sporting a chest- muff then keep it covered.

EATING HABITS:

Men who eat too heartily worry women with basic culinary skills as these “Millenium Women” are more socialistic than domestic.Men who are fussy with their diet spook these ladies as “it’s not a manly thing to do” Jen, 31, tells me. Other eating habits that get the thumbs down are noisy and messy eaters, especially if it’s before the first kiss.

MONEY TALK:

Obviously, a girl doesn’t want to hear if her date is dirtskin broke and up to his eyeballs in debt during the first stage of any relationship, but boasting off your riches guys is a turn-off sometimes. “A guy should be content with his wealth and let it speak for him, not vice-versa” says Donna 34. Flash blokes that brag about what car they’re driving, which designer clothes they wear and go over the top with the “bling” come across as arrogant, competetive and generally hard work to keep up with according to these ladies, although Cally, 25, would take her chances if the guy in question is offering to kit her out to be in par with him.

POTENTIAL RIVALS:

Guys! Within the first three weeks of dating your lady, do not look, talk about or too any other woman as it supposedly exposes you as a “future cheat”. These women like to feel that you are thinking of them 24/7 and that they are the only female company you need. Ranting about how fabulous your mother is and how you’re so close to your sister you tell her everything will also bring out the green-eyed monster. “Every woman dreads meeting a guys female relatives….” says Kat, 33. “….All women check out other women so when a brother introduces a new girlfriend we observe how they are dressed and how they act. Mother’s are even worse, all they wanna know is if you’re “good enough” for their baby”. Cally adds,”I love a guy who respects his mother, but hearing about her all the time pulls the blinkers. I don’t want to feel I have to emulate his mother to sustain a relationship with him”.

So, all you singleton guys out there, I do hope some of the above pointers have been usefull to you, but if you’ve taken a lady out, pulled out all the stops, praised your mother and let this lady know that you are financially well off, only to be blown out, don’t fret. Relax, and when you’re ready to jump back on the dating saddle again remember, not every woman yearns for a gentleman and women have always, and will always be a very difficult breed to please.