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  • Hopeless Dork
    Veteran Member
    • Dec 2008
    • 4255

    The attraction of the "taken"

    I've talked about this with some friends and it seems that men may be more attractive attached than they were single for some of the following reasons:

    A woman see's a man in a relationship and see's him as a quality 'mate'... someone has deemed him as such so he must be. That its almost instinctual that a woman seek a man that she deems a good protector and provider etc... and if a woman has identified him as such, his stock just went up.

    Another thing especially when it comes to girls attracted to their friends boyfriends/husbands is that they always see the man in a romantic role. They see him when he is with his significant other, in front of her friends, so on his 'best behavior'. They see the hand holding, the hugs, the affection and kindess and think 'wow' he must be like that all the time, he's so romantic, etc etc.... they don't see the guy at home in boxers with chip crumbs all over his chest


    Men it seems, don't have as much attraction to the idea of a taken woman, since they are more about instinctually looking for someone they can breed up, the less available a woman is for such, the less they are likely naturally drawn to her.

    Of course where there is physical attraction that will top the fact the woman is 'taken' in some cases... but as far as a man being attracted to a woman simply because she is off the market... doesn't seem as prevelent as it is with some women.

    Thoughts? Opinions?
    Scars remind us of where we've been...they don't have to dictate where we're going.
  • WildChild
    Banned
    • Sep 2008
    • 14142

    I don't know I'm just about never attracted to a man who is in a relationship. Doesn't matter if they are married, engaged or dating someone, there is just no appeal. I've always been that way.
    The few exceptions have been when I did know they were in a relationship, once I knew I was gone.

    Comment

    • FeministBen
      Member
      • Feb 2010
      • 31

      A guy will often look more attractive if he is popular with other women. It's like the 'boyband' effect. That woman rates him highly, therefore he must be a quality mate. You've hit the nail on the head there, I think.

      Perhaps part of the allure is a 'forbidden fruits' thing or perhaps it's more of a challenge and therefore more of a success if you manage to secure his attentions? I couldn't possibly comment, I'm just interpretting things I've heard other women say.


      For guys though, girls being in a relationship doesn't really do much for us. Perhaps, if you're just looking for sex, it's useful because there's less chance of her chasing after you or if you get her knocked up, the other dude will end up lookin after the kid so less risk there. Also, sometimes girls are so ****ed off with their boyfriends, they'll just hook up with whatever's stuck under their nose, which is obviously excellent. When you call a guy up and tell him 'My bf's bein such a sod, I just need to chill out with someone right now' you can't see it over the phone, but silently cheering and punching the air in celebration of the approaching coitus.

      On the other hand, possible STIs, big mushly angry boyfriends and just general grief in this region are the drawbacks. Plus, people may have moral concerns. Generally though, I've never found a woman any more or less attractive based on whether or not she is taken though. There's plenty girls to go round and I don't think cheatin is nice.

      Comment

      • Hopeless Dork
        Veteran Member
        • Dec 2008
        • 4255

        Me personally - I am not attracted to a taken man. In fact, men in relationships that even just flirt with me turn me off entirely.

        I've just seen time and again a woman completely disinterested in a man all of a sudden becoming attracted to him when he gets involved with someone else.

        I do think there is a competitve nature to it. Ibe known girls that get an ego boost from snaking a guy that has pledged his heart elsewhere. Kind of like - wow I'm so special he'll break his vows for me.

        When in fact its more of a case of , he's such a loser he'd break those promises for anyone.
        Scars remind us of where we've been...they don't have to dictate where we're going.

        Comment

        • Texinator
          Veteran Member
          • Sep 2009
          • 5556

          Chris Rock once said..

          A man introduces his girlfriend to his buddies and they'll think 'I gotta get me A girl like that!'

          A woman introduces her boyfriend to her friends and they'll think 'I gotta get me THAT man!'

          Comment

          • Hopeless Dork
            Veteran Member
            • Dec 2008
            • 4255

            Haha I loved that joke because it is UNFORTUNATELY... SOSOSO true a lot of times. Its almost as if the fact a guy is in a relationship makes some girls notice his worth more. Like hmmm if so and so is happy as can be with this guy... maybe HE can make me that happy too... rather than I want to find a guy that makes me as happy as her guy makes her.
            Scars remind us of where we've been...they don't have to dictate where we're going.

            Comment

            • CHANDLERS WISH
              • Mar 2008
              • 22440

              Originally posted by Tex
              Chris Rock once said..

              A man introduces his girlfriend to his buddies and they'll think 'I gotta get me A girl like that!'

              A woman introduces her boyfriend to her friends and they'll think 'I gotta get me THAT man!'


              SOOOOOOOOOOO TRUE

              I think the attraction is the way in which the two people present themselves. If they stare at each other, smile, touchy feeling, the other party wants what they have.

              And, usually don't have it.

              CW
              PUT A LITTLE 'LIKE' IN MY SOUL!

              Comment

              • Texinator
                Veteran Member
                • Sep 2009
                • 5556

                Catch 22 for the guy.. when he's single and wants the attention, he doesn't get as much attention when he's taken and doesn't want the attention.

                Comment

                • sourpuss
                  Veteran Member
                  • Dec 2006
                  • 3581

                  Originally posted by WildChild
                  I don't know I'm just about never attracted to a man who is in a relationship. Doesn't matter if they are married, engaged or dating someone, there is just no appeal. I've always been that way.
                  The few exceptions have been when I did know they were in a relationship, once I knew I was gone.
                  I'm the exact same way.

                  Comment

                  • rcoreyus
                    Veteran Member
                    • Sep 2007
                    • 4369

                    Its really annoying. I had a terrible time finding any women who were interested in me when I was single. Not that I'm married there seems to be endless opportunity.

                    Originally posted by Tex
                    Catch 22 for the guy.. when he's single and wants the attention, he doesn't get as much attention when he's taken and doesn't want the attention.

                    Comment

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