Here are the 20 things every women deserves from the guy in her life...
1) His undivided attention at important moments. Not I've-got-basketball-on-TV or I'm-mentally-undressing-you attention, but full presence.
2) Compliments that are actually spoken aloud. Things that don't qualify: a pat on the bottom, a finger pistol plus wink, a "yesssss!" after great sex.
3) Good manners, even if you've been dating for years. He had you at "Hello," but what makes him think he can keep you at "S'up?"
4) A thoughtful balance of refreshing honesty and merciful little white lies. A few examples: He should speak the truth when you ask, "Are you hurt by what I said earlier?" But he should fudge when you ask, "Honey, do you mind if my mom comes to dinner?"
5) His utter lust for (and unwavering devotion to one or more of your body parts, be it your legs, breasts, hips, or behind. Bonus points if his fervor spills over to you and pumps up your body ego.
6) Lot of foreplay. And then some. Plus...
7) ...sex that involves eyes contact, kissing and cuddling. That isn't to suggest that maple syrup, cartwheels and the French maid costume are out, but you should be having plain vanilla love whenever you want it.
8) Acknowledgement of your relationship to his friends, to his family, and yes, on Facebook. Sylvie, 31, confesses: "I insisted one boyfriend change his online profile from 'single' to 'in a relationship.' An electronic betrayal can hurt as much as a real one."
9) Proud PR. He revels in your achievements, doesn't feel diminished by them, and loves acting as your personal publicist.
10) Use of his "inside voice" during arguments. Grown-ups should be able to bicker,even flat-out fight, without rupturing a vocal cord.
11) The willingness to never, ever blame your behavior on your period, unless you say, "Sorry, it must be my period." And even then he should just smile and nod, smile and nod.
12) Knight-in-shining-armor-ness. Modern-day gallantry does not make you a spoiled princess, so just enjoy the pampering when he rescues you from boring dinner conversations, picks you up in his Honda chariot, and slays dragons--OK, roaches--for you.
13) A call, not a text, that comes when he says it will. Making you wait by the phone is a power play.
14) Encouragement when you stand up to the person you've never had the guts to before. And a big hug if it doesn't work out quite the way you had hoped.
15) Gifts he knows you'll adore, even if they're not 100 percent his style.
16) A more-to-love attitude when you gain five pounds.
17) Another chance. So you blew it: You got drunk at his high school reunion, got caught peeking at his email, had lunch with an ex and somehow forgot to tell him about it, called his by that ex's name in a heated moment. You're going to make some mistakes (and so is he). Once you've groveled sufficiently and let him vent for a bit, he should be prepared to forgive you. Cue the makeup sex.
18) Amusement at your quirks. He gets a kick out of your chocolate-is-a-food-group approach to nutrition and thinks it's funny you call your best friend to watch reality TV "together." Kudos to the man who recognizes eccentricities for what they are: the stuff that makes you deliciously you.
19) Half of the housework. That's right, all you cohabitors, half the dishes, half the laundry, and half--OK, maybe all--the garbage-schlepping.
20) Respect. Any guy worthy of your love will be unstinting with respect.
From October's Glamour magazine. Thanks Laurie Sandell!
