The dating world can be a confusing one. You meet all of these people thinking, “Could they be the one?” Yet there are certain traits that the guy you’re dating has that can be a clue to knowing he’s a keeper.
We’ve turned to the women Reddit who have shared their “green flags” of knowing the guy you’re with is the right one to hold onto, pulling out the best advice we found and why it’s so important to a relationship.
Remembering Everything Said Or Casually Mentioned
If a guy takes the time to pay attention to any random thought you speak out loud, keep him!
This does not mean that it always has to be about him buying you material items. It could simply just be a case where he references something you talked about 2 weeks ago or remembering a friend’s name or birthday. But him listening to you shows that he cares and values your opinions and thoughts. Some guys just have a better memory than we think!
As long as it isn’t coming across in a creepy or stalkerish way, then you’re all good to go!
Not Playing Any Mind Games
Avoiding any form of power struggle is a huge green flag!
Nobody likes the feeling of confusion or a slow and painful rejection process…
It can be draining to be interested in a guy who will barely text you back, starts to ignore you, or just doesn’t even give you the time of day. But if a guy is straightforward with his intentions and knows how to communicate, it’s like a breath of fresh air!
Maintaining Long-Lasting Friendships
Taking note of the people he surrounds himself with will say a lot about the person he is when he’s not with you.
If a guy has decent and respectful enough friends that include you and treat you equally as a friend of their own, that can make hanging out as a group that much easier.
Also if the friends have been in his life for a good amount of years, that can show that he prioritizes retaining those friends and is loyal to those in his life.
Accountable For Their Actions
Look, not everyone is perfect. People make mistakes and it’s common in relationships to slip up a little.
A man that steps up and admits he’s wrong (whether he is right or wrong) is one to be respected. If someone owns up to their actions when they mess up or cause issues, that proves a lot about their character.
Although, there are some men out there that may over-apologize, so that’s when it becomes difficult to tell if they are being genuinely apologetic or not. Trust your gut when it comes to instances like this.
Manners Matter All Of The Time
Seeing how a man treats not only his friends and family but strangers can show his true colors.
Not saying that the guy has to be overly-nice and always on perfect behavior at all times, but if he’s friendly and respectful to anyone from the stranger on the street to a waiter at a restaurant, that can show how he will most likely treat you. Also, bonus points if they are kind and compassionate to animals!
There are often times where guys will be short and rude with the retail employee at the store but then act as if it’s not his issue. That’s not someone you want to spend your time with. Just because you’re his girlfriend and he may treat you a little better than that, that doesn’t mean that over time his actions towards you can turn into something less than desirable.
Keeping Things Positive
Nobody wants to be with someone who is constantly bringing them down. In any relationship, you should want to be with a person who motivates you to be the best version of yourself, and also supports you throughout everything.
Bringing up positive talking points can also contribute to this. Instead of the guy dwelling on the negative or talking a lot about his dislikes, it’s better to discuss positive topics and things that are of high interest.
Also any guy who makes an effort to compliment you, even when you aren’t looking your best, is a winner!
Helping Out Without Being Asked To
Whether the situation is a broken light or just setting up for dinner — if a guy goes out of his way to help out in making your life that less stressful, that shows that he’s capable of putting others before himself. Unselfishness is a vital trait in order to make any relationship work.
This also proves how good of manners he may have. While some may see it as kissing up, depending on your partner, I think you’ll be able to tell what his intentions are for helping out. Nice guys do exist!
Taking A True Interest In Your Passion
If you have a hobby or interest that genuinely excites you and you could go on and on about, talk about them with your partner. People like listening to people who talk about their dreams and passions in life!
So if a guy is taking an interest in what you love to do, he most likely cares about you and your personality, as the latter largely contributes to the things you enjoy the most. If a guy is asking you questions about whatever your passion is, that can mean he wants to learn more about you and what in life makes you happy.
Also, it can be healthy to talk about your goals in life and deeper topics than just having surface-level conversations.
Taking Care Of You When You’re Sick
Sometimes it’s just nice to feel taken care of. It can be comforting when a guy goes out of his way to make sure you’re okay and tends to your needs.
This can also be another way of showing how unselfish the guy can be. If a guy insists on taking care of you, whether it’s getting you soup or just being there while you rest, it can mean so much!
Showing affection likes this just shows how much someone can value you and cares about your health and well-being.
Treating You As A Best Friend
While it is important in a romantic relationship to have the physical aspect, it’s also important to not just base the relationship off of that. When you can be your true self around the person, that’s when the relationship is that much stronger.
And you would never want to intentionally hurt your best friend, so it’s amazing if you and your partner either were best friends before or have become best friends while dating.
Being best friends with your partner can mean having so much fun without feeling judged or uncomfortable around one another.
Putting In The Effort For Quality Time
Life can get crazy and it can be difficult to actually spend quality time with your partner. Work/school can take the majority of the time in our busy schedules, but making the other person a priority is important!
It’s sad that sometimes people don’t make time for one another, and in order for a relationship to work, you need that quality one-on-one time.
Quality time together can be anything from having a TV show that, as a couple, you watch together on a Friday night. Or it could be cooking dinner together at least once a week. Whatever hobby or common interest that both of you enjoy doing together can make it easy to something to do to get that quality time together.
How He Handles Difficult Situations
Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows — any obstacle can be thrown our way. The way you make it through those obstacles 100% depends on how you approach the situation.
Making the most out of an unfortunate life event can be the best way to deal. So if you’re going through a difficult time and your man is there for you and helping you out in a positive/uplifting way, that’s a good sign. Especially when the guy just keeps calm about a situation instead of just losing his temper and going ballistic.
There are many times where guys will just leave when things get tough. But, hey, life is tough and those rough patches are only temporary. Having someone sticking by your side, through the good times and the bad, is a good sign that they’re a truly kind and caring human being.
Wanting What’s Best For You
You shouldn’t want a guy who is taking you away from achieving your goals, whether it’s regarding your career, your hobby, etc. A real man will be there for you to motivate and support your dreams and aspirations.
Encouragement from your partner can be the most motivating factor in accomplishing your goals. Any guy who asks what he can do to help you achieve those goals is a real winner.