The Top 10 Traits Women Want in a Man

Convincing evidence suggests that it takes only one thing to get a woman's attention: money. (See Trump wedding, photos of.) But if you eliminate cash and gifts of Manolo Blahniks from the equation, it is unclear which of the more intangible attributes contribute to a man's sexiness.

Objective

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To identify, quantify, and rank the traits that make a man "hot" to women.

Methods and Subjects
We surveyed more than 1,000 American women ages 21 to 54 in two online polls. One was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation, based in Princeton, New Jersey, and the other was done on BestLifeOnline.com.

Results
We organized traits and characteristics according to the percentage of women who ranked them within the top 10 attributes. Women rated traits relating to character and personality much higher than they scored those reflecting physical attractiveness. For example, only 13 percent of women included muscular build as a requisite for hotness, while 66 percent placed moral integrity as a "make me quiver" characteristic. Check out the supporting data.

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Faithfulness

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More than 8 out of 10 women rated "faithful to me" in the top 10 attributes they find sexy in a man. A woman's tendency toward attachment is a biological imperative, a matter of raising offspring right. Reassure her (often) that you're not going anywhere.

More from Men's Health: 5 Reasons Men Cheat -- and How to Stay Faithful

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Dependability

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Three out of four women say they look for a man who makes commitments and follows through. Being responsible -- even if it's just remembering to pick up salad dressing on your way over to her place -- sends a positive signal that someday you might commit. (Get the best sex and relationship advice from the weekly Girl Next Door newsletter.)

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Kindness

Young women may still fall for the bad-boy type, but more-mature women are turned on by kindness, because kindness inspires confidence. In other words, if you treat the waitress well, your date figures you'll treat her well, too.

More from Men's Health: 10 Simple Ways to Keep Her Happy

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Sense of Humor

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Being able to laugh at the stresses of this world is a must, according to the women on our panel. You get bonus points if you can make them laugh. Humor tells a woman that you can laugh at -- read, handle easily -- the many difficulties that life throws at you.

More from Men's Health: Are You Actually Funny?

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Intelligence

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A worldy, interesting man is a man she likes to show off. Men who are take-charge problem solvers make women feel secure, and men who are always improving are never boring.

More from Men's Health: Boost Your IQ in 20 Minutes

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Passion

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Why have women always melted for musicians? Because rock stars are passionate in public. Women like displays of passion because they're not accustomed to seeing them from men. Get passionate about something: kayaking, impressionistic art, barbecuing, or Habitat for Humanity. It's proof that you care for and about something beyond yourself.

More from Men's Health: 5 Nonsexual Things that Turn Women On

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Listening

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Pay attention. A woman feels safe and secure when she knows her man will put down his BlackBerry and listen to her. Magic words: "I'm here. Tell me everything."

More from Men's Health: 5 Ways to Be a Better Listener

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Romancing

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Romance appeals to a woman's right-brained, less-logical side. Every woman fantasizes about being swept off her feet. Romance is bold because you're displaying your desire for a woman and revealing a softer, more vulnerable side that women find irresistible.

More from Men's Health: How to Keep the Romance Alive

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Sense of Style

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The way you dress reflects on the woman you're with, and she knows it. The man who knows how to match a patterned shirt and tie will notice when she's dressed well, too. (And maybe he'll pay for the Blahniks.) Keep your tailor and your dry cleaner busy, and spring for posh, touchable fabrics like cashmere, suede, pima cotton, and brushed corduroy.

More from Men's Health: 5 Ways to Ruin A First Impression

10 of 12 Photo: Matt Carr\Getty Images

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2Comments

Best

Nov 14, 2012 6:51PM

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE INDICATES THOSE SURVEYED WERE EITHER LYING TO YOU ( THEY CHOSE THE ANSWERS THAT MADE THEM LOOK BETTER) OR ARE LYING TO THEMSELVES. NONE OF THOSE TRAITS ARE WORTH A DAMN IF YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY, OR AREN'T WILLING TO PISS IT AWAY ON HER. EVEN GOING TO SPORTS EVENTS OR OUT WITH THE BOYS WITHOUT HER GIVES HER THE IDEA YOU ARE WILLING TO SPEND MONEY. SAVING FOR THE FUTURE IS NOT ATTRACTIVE; GOING WITHOUT AN EXPENSIVE LUXURY IS NOT ATTRACTIVE; ENJOYING YOUR HOME AND FAMILY IS NOT ATTRACTIVE, BEING SATISFIED WITH YOUR JOB AND LIFE IS NOT ATTRACTIVE. ETHICS, INTEGRITY, VALUES? NOT ATTRACTIVE!

Previous replies

ddavid475

Nov 22, 2012 10:40AM

I certainly disagree. Married for 42 years and have 72 years behind me. Money really never was the attraction in my experience. Those interviewed must be dreaming. I've seen the biggest bums who mooch on Mama get the prettiest girls.
Not even a good job or education turns a women's eye. In my heyday I was a 1000 times richer (had 2 million dollars at age 21 and a 1 carat flawless diamond ring I displayed, everything was paid for that I owned, even my 2 story home was free and clear.)
but the girls liked those who were more boisterous, had handsome muscles, had the ability to show they didn't care about her - which raises the challenge to catch him, and were good at story telling. Sure I got my dates but also complaints that I spent too much time learning to earn my degree and doing a job which will propel me into a top managing position.
I've seen girl get slapped left & right, working a meager job, but they hung on to the dude with dear life. It certainly can't be money their looking for.

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