7 Characteristics Women Look for in a Man

1. Bend Fashion to Your Will
The strategy: Demonstrate you're a leader, not a lemming. Add an irreverent, original element to your outfit that hints (not screams) that you don't break the rules, you make them.

How to pull it off: Keep 90 percent of your look appropriate to the occasion—you're fashionably astute, after all. Then throw on something ballsy. Suede New Balances with a designer suit (no tie) for an event at a swank lounge; a classic tweed jacket over a retro T-shirt for a dinner party; plaid wool pants with a hooded sweatshirt and Chuck T's for a concert.

What she'll think: You have the confidence to do things your way, and the savvy to do them well. You're witty, hip, and a bit of a troublemaker. (That's hot.)

What she'll say: "Nice pants."

2. Hang with Slobs
The strategy: Look appealing by surrounding yourself with your loudest, sloppiest friends—guys who emit female repellent. This can make you look, sound, and smell like Prince Charming. On this night, your goal is to attract women, not bond with the boys.

How to pull it off: Sip while they chug, talk while they scream, smile sanely when they're laughing so hard Sam Adams is streaming out of their noses. And be the one to deal politely with the waitress and bartender.

What she'll think: You're not swayed by peer pressure, and you're in control enough to be a gentleman on a boys' night out. Plus, her maternal instincts will kick in, making her want to rescue you from those animals.

What she'll say: "Always so well behaved?"

3. Read, Watch, Listen
The strategy: Know something about everything, so you'll have something to talk about. Party talk ping-pongs between politics, film, music, and celebrities, so the more you've seen, heard, and read, the more seductive your banter will be. It takes just one hit—"I love Fountains of Wayne!"—and she'll want to spend more time with you.

How to pull it off: It's not often that a man who reads The Economist and owns a Fellini box set ends up with a girl at each elbow. We like a guy who's seen last night's Daily Show, reads Radar, and knows which blogs deliver the best dirt. Do a quick late-breaking-news-and-gossip check before heading out for the night and then drop what you know when a beautiful woman can overhear it. (And it's okay to read The Economist; that strategy works wonders with educated Euro babes.)

What she'll think: Finally, here's a guy who can tell her something she doesn't already know, something she'll want to repeat to her friends in the morning.

What she'll say: "I'm sorry, did you just say that Katie is having Tom's baby?"

4. Barely Notice the Überbabe
The strategy: Remain calm when a decked-out bombshell strolls by and you'll be sending the message that you're too smart to be wowed by a Wonderbra and red lipstick.

How to pull it off: We don't blame you for looking. But it makes us cringe when one male head after another swivels in her direction. What we love to see is a man who raises his eyes to see what the commotion is about, nonchalantly registers the hottie, then doesn't seem to give her another thought.

What she'll think: You've had too much experience with high-maintenance women to become excited by yet another would-be model. Or, even better, you prefer women who look as if they have more interesting things to do than primp in front of a mirror.

What she'll say: "I hope you're not gay."

5. Go Deep
The strategy: Appear thoughtful by focusing intently on something unobtrusive.

How to pull it off: Wander away from the crowd, take in the scene, then find a painting, book, view out a window, whatever—not the jukebox—and pore over the details. You're oblivious to the commotion.

What she'll think: You're sensitive and smart and, if you furrow your brow, intense. Women love intense. It's very mysterious, very sexy, very Benicio Del Toro. She'll want to plumb the depths of your brooding mind.

What she'll say: "What's so fascinating?"

6. Give Someone a Hand
The strategy: Loud, crowded places foster an "every man for himself" attitude. To rise above it, go out of your way to be helpful.

How to pull it off: Help a girl who's trying to reach over people to get her drink from the bartender. Give your place in the unisex bathroom line to an anxious-looking woman.

What she'll think: You're so thoughtful . . . Could such a great guy still be single?

What she'll say: "So chivalry isn't dead."

7. Get Some Air
The strategy: Establish a thoughtful-loner vibe, and facilitate conversation.

How to pull it off: Stepping out for a cell call or smoke is off-putting, not alluring. Going out for some air is romantic. Make like Bogart, sans cigarette, and lean against the wall, hands in your pockets, gazing into the middle distance. If a conversation starts, great. If not, women will notice you as an individual before you rejoin the faceless mob.

What she'll think: We're out here; everyone else is in there. Maybe it was meant to be.

What she'll say: "Hey there."

Contraception Introduction:

Contraceptive methods are what couples use to prevent a pregnancy. Some of these methods, like the male and female condoms, also provide very effective protection against most sexually transmitted infections. When the goal is to avoid a pregnancy, couples need to talk together about what method is best for both partners. Issues include access to the method, the cost of the method and whether it is covered by insurance, how it is used, and whether it involves introducing a chemical into the body rather than placing some kind of a barrier between the partners. The vast majority of birth control methods in the world today are designed for the female body to use. At the same time, however, male partners need to be active parts of discussions and decisions about contraception – and to be willing to use condoms for safer sex and pregnancy prevention.

Body Image Introduction:

Most sexuality experts will agree that to be sexually healthy, it is important for both body and mind to be "in synch". When they are not, one or both areas can suffer. Many factors can influence how and whether a woman experiences mind/body synchronization. A common one has to do with a woman’s comfort with her body – or body image. Body image has to do with how one feels about anything physical, from their weight, skin or hair color, height, and the changes that come with aging, to the appearance of their genitals, to how their body may appear as a result of a physical disability or illness, and much more. One thing is for sure – the better a woman feels about her body, the more satisfying her sexual expressions and relationships will be. This channel will address issues of enhancing diminished body image, and address ways of celebrating all types of bodies and physical features.

Masturbation Introduction:

Masturbation refers to touching one’s own genitals for sexual pleasure. It is a normal, healthy behavior that most people do at some point in their lives (male and female) – although some never do. It is normal if a person does, and it is normal if a person chooses not to masturbate. Masturbation, even frequent masturbation cannot harm a person physically or psychologically, unless it replaced normal, daily functioning (for example, if someone were to stop going to work just to stay home and masturbate). Masturbation can teach people how their bodies respond to sexual stimulation -- and they can share this information with a partner to enhance their sexual relationships.

Pregnancy and Child Birth Introduction:

Pregnancy and childbirth issues go beyond fertility and reproduction concerns. A pregnant woman’s sexual desire level can peak and ebb throughout the pregnancy, as well as after childbirth. Partners and spouses can be confused by these changes, and may experience a change in their libido as well. Other post-natal issues, including physical recovery from vaginal delivery or C-section, the impact of breast feeding (e.g. vaginal dryness due to reduced estrogen levels), post-partum depression, negotiating sexual relationships, and communicating (especially under the stress of sleep deprivation) are vital factors in determining how to maintain a loving, vital relationship post-childbirth.

Infertility Introduction:

Approximately 15% of heterosexual couples attempting their first pregnancy are unable to conceive. Most authorities will say that there is a fertility “issue” – something that requires some kind of intervention – if a couple has not become pregnant after one year of unprotected vaginal intercourse. It is important in the evaluation of infertility to consider the couple as a unit, rather than placing the “blame” or responsibility on one partner. Infertility can come as a result of factors inside the female body, inside the male body, or inside both.

Menstruation and Breast Health Introduction:

Two significant health concerns for women are their monthly menstrual cycle, and the health of their breasts. Menstruation, the monthly hormonal cycle involving the build-up and discharge of the uterine lining, is an important indicator of reproductive and general health. Issues women face pertaining to menstruation are irregular periods, absent periods (called “amenorrhea”), and painful periods (“dysmenorrhea”). When it comes to breast health, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Yet many women still do not perform monthly breast self exams. This channel deals with the steps women can take to ensure that their body’s monthly cycle is working as it should be, and that their breasts remain healthy as well.