Dating and Relationships

Guys Offer Turn-Ons and Turn-Offs in Dating

Jackie Pilossoph
By Jackie PilossophFounder, Divorced Girl Smiling, Former Chicago Tribune Columnist and Features Reporter, Huffington Post Blogger and TV News Reporter

Dating, especially dating after divorce can feel like you’re in unfamiliar territory. It’s hard to recall what’s going on in the minds of the men you are now going on dates with. But honestly, dating and men probably haven’t changed much since the last time you were in the dating scene.

To help offer you some insight into what the men you’re dating after divorce are thinking, I polled a few thousand men on social media and asked them what their turn-ons and turn-offs are when it comes to dating after divorce.

Here’s what they had to say:

Turn-offs:

    • Whining
    • Being needy
    • Acting shady
    • Nagging
    • A sense of entitlement
  • High maintenance
  • Someone who thinks she is better than everyone
  • Using sex to keep a man
  • Closed minded
  • Insecure
  • Bad breath
  • Bad teeth
  • Signs of being unhealthy or unkept
  • Liar
  • Cheater
  • Talking way too much about the same crap
  • Smoking
  • Materialistic
  • negativity
  • Not willing to compromise on anything
  • Causing drama where none exists
  • Nasty attitude and disposition

Turn-ons:

    • Little touches, and innocent grabbing of my arm or fingers
    • Good conversation
    • Brains
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  • Confidence
  • Vocal and say what they like in bed
  • When a woman knows who she is and is proud of it
  • A woman who is comfortable with her body, including naked-doesn’t matter if body isn’t perfect]
  • I prefer plump and healthy versus skinny and unhealthy
  • Intelligence
  • The ability to debate and think critically and challenge the status quo
  • A great smile is the best trait
  • Just being genuine and interested
  • Honesty
  • Loyalty
  • Being the true you
  • A woman who is genuinely happy

What is notable is that there 10 more turns-ons on the list than turnoffs, which means to me, men really love and want to see the best in the women they date.

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In closing, if you are new to dating after divorce, it’s great to remember these turn-ons and turn-offs, but it’s even more important to love yourself and be yourself. If you try to be anyone but you, that might be the biggest turn-off to the men you date. And, you are really depriving yourself of authentic happiness.

Like this article? Check out, “9 Signs of a Healthy Romantic Relationship”

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Jackie Pilossoph
Jackie PilossophFounder, Divorced Girl Smiling, Former Chicago Tribune Columnist and Features Reporter, Huffington Post Blogger and TV News Reporter

Jackie Pilossoph, former Chicago Tribune Syndicated Columnist (LOVE ESSENTIALLY) is the Founder of DIVORCED GIRL SMILING. Divorced Girl Smiling (DGS), which is a well-known brand and community, offers a list of trusted, vetted divorce professionals, a podcast, articles and the free consult.

Pilossoph, who holds a Masters degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University, is a former television news reporter and features reporter for the Chicago Tribune. Her syndicated weekly column, LOVE ESSENTIALLY, was published in The Pioneer Press, The Chicago Tribune, and all Tribune Publishing editions, as well as Better magazine. Pilossoph was also a Huffington Post divorce blogger. Additionally, Pilossoph is the author of “Who Let the Dogs Out: An Empowering, Funny and Inspiring Guide to Dating After Divorce,” available everywhere books can be found.

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