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The Good Guy Tale
by Elaine Volle
Every woman dreams of that “Mr. Wonderful” who comes along and sweeps her off her feet. Finally, the first date arrives and she already has him labeled. She has that set list of things she checks off in her head to see if he is the one. Not everyone has the same list but there is definitely the general idea of the “good guy.” But what makes a guy a “good guy?”
Hollywood, movies, magazines and books all heighten the appearance of what the ideal man for any woman should be. Tall, dark and handsome with great manners, great with kids, has that wonderful relationship with his mother and the coming of an established career. That is Hollywood though; we live in reality. Guys have flaws, character and looks that sometimes don’t qualify them for paparazzi material. They are all different, but in a practical sense every guy should have the basics to make him the protagonist in our little fairytale.
Monday morning rolls around and you’re at the office with the girls. Of course they want to know how the date was, so you tell them. But first you think, should I tell them how he held the door open, pulled back the chair, helped with the coat, maintained interested eye-contact throughout the evening and paid the bill? Or risk the chance of telling your office gossip patrol that he forgot to wipe his mouth once, laughed about an ex-girlfriend’s same mistake, and checked his phone for texts when you expect that goodnight kiss? No, you tell them the good things. Why waste your time dwelling on the negatives when overall it was a positive date? Those things are just a few of the flaws that come with the package deal of dating a guy.
Does he remember to buy you flowers on your birthday? Does he remember intimate details that no one else but he would know? Text you unexpectedly just to let you know who you’re with? These are a few of the little things he can do to prove to you he is worth it. But the checklist isn’t done yet. A guy will have bad habits that he likes to indulge when he is by himself or with buddies. But it’s the moment he chooses to do them when he is around you that will make a huge impression. There is a time and place for everything. If he slips up at the wrong time, it happens. But if he realizes what he did bothers you, then he is a keeper. Before you know it, you’re buying plane tickets and flying down to Mom and Dad’s winter retreat in Florida.
It takes patience and long late night readings of researched proofs to find out if he is the one. Only time will tell if he has what it takes to be your good guy, a knight in shining armor or your hero. Focus on the positive things he does, let him know it makes you happy and maybe he will continue to apply them in his life. Keep your fingers crossed and eyes open. There will always be good guys out there.