A woman’s dating matrix

The Hot Crazy Matrix YouTube dating tutorial was created to show how a man thinks in the sense of trying to find and fulfill the perfect woman or rating a potential date on a scale of 1 to 10 on both hot and craziness. This tongue-in-cheek video made the point that the more attractive a man considers a woman the more craziness they’re apt to contend with.

I’d like to think in today’s society women have their own scale imbedded into their brains on how to catch and keep their dream man, although all too often we settle for less than we deserve. To juxtapose the unscientific scale of the YouTube craze, I’d like to share some of my own guidelines to help single women who are still out there looking for a prospective mate. Keep in mind a man should be on his best behavior throughout the dating ritual, meaning this behavior is the best ever demonstrated and as the relationship moves forward it only worsens from here.

Where is he on the attractiveness scale? If you can’t seem to look at him in the face longer than a few minutes at a time, it’s a lost cause. If he reminds you of an old pet, get rid of him. Also, if he is unkempt at all during the dating period you can bet he will be a stinky mess when you’re married.

Is he educated and cultured?

We aren’t all looking for Mr. Darcy or Rhett Butler but he should have a skill set to make money and know basic etiquette, such as the difference between a Tony and an Academy Award and also the distinct difference between a jazz band and the orchestra. He should impress you with a vibrant, descriptive vocabulary and not use profanity. Really.

Is he handy around the house?

A man who can’t fix a toilet, do basic computer repair, or change the oil in a car should be sent back to vocational school.

 Will he provide for his family? This isn’t a typical first date question but it should swim around in your head during the second or third date if he makes it thus far. Is he willing to pay for your meal? Does he make the offer? If he’s driving a nice car but only feeding you from a gas station or fast food restaurants it’s a point of contention or should be. Does the excuse about not having enough gas come into question about taking you out? These examples and any similarities are red flags early on in a relationship which should be considered.

Is he the jealous type?

Checking up on you or stealing a peek at your phone is definitely a no-no in the beginning. If this behavior continues it will only deteriorate. Lose his number, fast.

Finally, my last point is the most important: is he honorable and kind? Honor by definition means honesty, fairness and integrity; respect. How well does he treat his mother? Does he ask about you instead of dominating the conversation about himself? A woman will know immediately if he is a man of distinction and kindness. Take heart single ladies. Mr. Darcy is out there.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: A woman’s dating matrix