Respect - acceptance - opportunities to grow and learn - love and caring - relationships where the  'give and take'  is shared according to the needs of the day - etc.

Arminius, if you are asking what women in general want, I am sure the response will be quite similiar to what men actually want. If you indeed trying to figure out women, or men for that matter, I wish you luck. People, usually, have more than enough difficulty figuring themselves out.

Hi Stevie:

What I would like to hear is what women in general expect from the men in their relationship, and from men at large.

Today is my granddaughter's wedding day. She just received an e-card from a female relative saying: "Looking together in the same direction is more important than looking at each other." This, and the common male lament "What do women want?!", prompted me to post this topic.

Now I must put on my best suit and get ready for the ceremony. Although I wear overalls to church, the women in my family did not permit me to wear overalls to my granddaughters wedding!

r-e-s-p-e-c-t

(Thanks Aretha!)

Note to Arm, - I guess you could wear your overalls in your mind...

Enjoy this special day.

Arminius, I still think people want what all people want... to be cared for, respected, loved, appreciated, valued.... for someone to be honest and forthright.... to be gentle and kind... to always have their back and stand beside them... to support them when they need support...

It depends . . . what I want from a man . . . my man in particular . . . is differnent depending on my mood, my health, what is happening in my life, etc.  So . . . it must be very confusing for him when sometimes I want to be held when I am crying - and sometimes I don't.  When sometimes I want to pampered - and sometimes I don't.  When sometimes I want to be helped - and sometimes I don't.

But I always want him to love me unconditionally, to care for me, to appreciate me, to be honest with me, to encourage me, and to support.  I always want to know he has my back.  I always want to know that no one comes between him and I.  I always want to know that he is the one person I can depend on, who always has my best interests at heart.  That he would never intentionally hurt me or deceive me.

Oh yes . . . and I do want him to open doors for me.  And to put my arm in his or my hand in his when we are walking on a rough path.

to crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of a nice claret...

My wife wants me to cook.

More empathy for PMS time. His hormones don't fluctuate to the same degree - it's impossible for him to understand how it feels. I hate to say "all women are more sensitive because of hormones." but some of us are. It's not a bad thing. It just is. I can be more creative at these times- just less physical stamina. Cry during Oprah. Need more R&R.

Love & respect - it's as simple as that for me.

Hi somegal:

Why not add a little admiration to the combination?

I think love, respect and admiration go together. There is always at least something to admire in another person, and sometimes a lot. Every one of us is a unique being, a unique child of God (or unique edition of the universe for those who don't like God language :-), and for that reason alone worthy of love, respect, and admiration.

And it would be good if those came unconditionally. Not "I love, respect, and admire you because x, y, z..." No, just "I love, respect, and admire you—unconditionally!"

This question always reminds me of Northern Exposure, when someone asked Chris that question, and he replied, "The same things we do, only in prettier colours".

I want to be looked after, loved, respected, cherished, enjoyed, to be an inspiration to him, and to be able to surprise him in unexpected and appreciated ways, to make him happy. Not fawned over, or controlled. Equal in importance, but not the same in everything, and those differences honoured. Yes the door opened for me, yes the chair pulled out for me, yes the bill payed for me, but no to obliged, contrived gifts and expectations.

I want both planning and spontaneity, responsibility and fun. A man who can be a man and not force me to wear the pants. A man who's in charge and in control, yet who listens to me and values my opinions. A man who needs me, who I can fill a needed gap for, yet who bowls me over at the same time. Taller than me, smart, yes handsome. Patient. Capeable. Confident. Brave.

Hi Elanorgold:

Tell us when you find him, so that we can rejoice with you.

Wanted to post a pic of Sir Galahad for you Elanorgold, but for some reason it won't work.

Anyway, hope he finds you!

also

(i enjoy this artist quite a bit--very uplifting toe tappin stuff)

different, but complementary

when my man tells me I'm sweet, kind beautiful...it makes me feel good.

BUT when he tells me that I make him laugh, and when he tells me that I am smart it makes me feel wonderful. 

We want our men to listen to us (not just nod and say "oh yeah"), but to summarize what we are saying back to us so we know you are paying attention. 

I want my man to challenge me (thoughts, beliefs, opinions) so I can learn more about myself and why I think the way I do. I dont want him to agree with everything I say. Then sometimes I want him to sit there in silence until I'm done talking then simply agree with me.

I want him to help me to grow stronger (physically, emotionally, spiritually). 

I want him to support me and help me when it comes to my "weak" spots. ie: Im very shy so when we are at parties he includes me in conversations and gets me chatting. 

and......most of all...we don't even know what we want some of the time! depending on my day, my mood, my emotional status, my needs change. I encourage men to ask their ladies what they want or need, since communication is one of the most fundamental elements of a successful relationship :) 

Major LOL Inanna & Ninj! That's me, the Disney Princess, ha ha ha!  Really love that last clip, "take that leap, fall in love or die trying". Gonna tweet that. ANd where he sais the artist has to risk, put himself in a state of hightened vulnerability, and disarm himself. That means a lot to me, in more ways than you may know.  "Afraid of letting go, popping out the other side and it being the best thing you ever did" Genious. "The things we fear the most end up being the greatest therapies".

Yeah, Communication Wesoly! Amen! as they say... Comunication can be hard though, so a man needs to know how to do it without getting defensive. It's hard when we women have to guess. Strong silent types can be so frustrating! No no, I want a man who can express himself.

Couldn't resist doing this. It's late, what can I say...

One of my knights in shining armour:

Smart, expresses himself well, patient, gentlemanly, drug free, brave, handsome, confident, capeable, exciting, etc etc... Of cource this Dave Gilmour doesn't exist any more. He's 67 now.

"There are just two sexes -- men and mothers"

--Alice B Sheldon

Dear Disney Princess  Elanorgold - a bit of an aside here - being the artist you are, have you seen the "Fallen Princesses" photo exhibit?  A photographer friend of mine posted it recently ...I found it interesting - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2385475/Dina-Goldsteins-Fallen-Princesses-shows-Disneys-Snow-White-Cinderella-unhappily-after.html  

Love that quote Inanna!

Ha Ha Carolla! Those are more realistic!

Sighhhh, Dave is (was) so dreamy~~~