Originally published by Dating Advice.
These days, dating can be a total minefield, especially if you’re using apps. Women in particular tend to get the short end of the stick, sharing tales of men who don’t look anything like their photos, those who’ve given generous over-estimates of their height, and even those who use it as an opportunity to send unsolicited revealing images. But could there be a better way to try and narrow down the options?
DatingAdvice decided to carry out a survey of 3,000 single women, where they were asked to sum up their perception of men from their states in just one word – that is – the word that resonates most with their dating experiences.
The survey revealed that were three types of traits revealing how men from different states were viewed by women:
Positive descriptors: Respectful, Hardworking, Reliable, Dependable, Charming, Ambitious, Loyal, Generous, Kind, Gentle.
Neutral or ambiguous descriptors: Laid-back, Cautious, Modest, Unpredictable, Traditional.
Negative descriptors: Detached, Rude, Aloof, Immature, Lazy, Apathetic, Cold, Arrogant, Clingy, Insensitive, Overbearing, Impatient, Stubborn.
So, which states did well? Well, it’s good news for those who live in the Yellowhammer State: Alabama men were shown to be ‘respectful’, which tallies with their reputation as gentlemen with perfect southern manners; think doors being held open, never having to split the check, and an endless stream of compliments. If you’re a Minnesota native, you can expect the men there to be ‘loyal’; they will always stick up for you, always put you first, and always be there for you, no matter how bad things get. And South Carolina men are unfailingly ‘compassionate’, offering sympathy and support whenever it’s needed.
In a few states, men came out with mediocre or ambiguous traits, such as being ‘unpredictable’: if you’re in Oregon, don’t expect the men there to behave in ways that make sense! And in Arizona, the men are overwhelmingly described as ‘detached’ – which doesn’t bode well if you’re looking for someone to really commit. Louisiana men were described as ‘apathetic’, which basically sounds like every teenager, ever; and no grown woman wants to date one of those.
But there are definitely some states in which one should exercise caution when dating: Maryland, for example, where the men were described as ‘arrogant.’ It’s off-putting to deal with someone who acts superior, dismisses others’ opinions, and constantly seeks to elevate themselves at the expense of those around them. Florida men were rated as ‘immature’, which, again, is less than ideal for an adult woman, but makes sense when you consider how popular the state is with spring breakers. And if you’re in Maryland, beware of ‘arrogant’ men, who go around thinking they’re much better than everyone else and acting entitled.
DatingAdvice’s survey also made some other interesting discoveries; nearly a fifth (19%) of women believed that men from certain states or regions are indeed different when it comes to dating and relationships. And when it came to what trait women would want to change about men from their own state, the majority (30%) said ‘communication’ – it seems no matter where you’re from, getting men to open up is always going to be tricky! 18% said they’d change – we imagine they mean improve – their men’s sense of humor, while 24% said they’d change men’s level of ambition, 17% their approach to relationships and 11% their emotional availability.
“Our survey sheds light on how women across the country perceive men from their states, revealing a fascinating mix of traits that could influence dating choices in unexpected ways,” says Amber Brooks, Chief Editor at DatingAdvice.
