In a world filled with Team Mafisis and narcissists, dating is a minefield and a good man is hard to find.
Well, if you are among the lucky ladies and have bagged yourself a decent man but you are not sure if he is ‘the one’ just yet, here are signs that he can be in the running.
1. He accepts you as you are
In a healthy relationship, your partner will accept you as you are; warts and all.
“If you start to feel like changing yourself to appease your partner, it may be time to break things off… It is always more important to find someone who likes you for you,” Maria Sullivan, dating expert and VP of Dating.com, tells Bustle.com.
2. Conflicts are handled maturely
In a healthy relationship, it’s never about winning or one-upping each other, it’s about solving the issue at hand with respect and honesty. Conflict in a healthy relationship is handled with as little damage to the relationship as possible.
A partner who doesn’t resort to name-calling, physical abuse, put-downs or passive-aggressive behaviour is a good one. This also applies to conflicts he has with other people.
3. He wants you to win
A good partner will want you to win and is genuinely happy for you when you get a promotion, get a salary raise and other wins.
4. You feel the love
“They regularly express their love and affection using their own love language. They also try their best to love you how you like to be loved. As a result, you feel appreciated and treated like a priority, not taken for granted and treated like an option,” says talk show host Toni Tone.
5. He respects your space
Everyone needs some space and time apart from the relationship to woosah and focus on projects and other people in your life.
No one wants a helicopter partner who always hovers around you or if they are away, they blow up your phone asking where you are and sending threats. A good partner will allow you to visit your family or hang out with your girls.
6. You trust him
A good relationship is built on the solid rock of trust. Trust is built through honesty, reliability, a partner sharing their thoughts & feelings, a spouse who acknowledges their mistakes and is willing to show a vulnerable side of themselves.
7. He is faithful
Faithfulness in the 21st century has become a controversial topic.
When it comes to relationships nowadays, people are willing to turn the other cheek when it comes to men cheating despite the horrible effects the act has on your partner or relationship.
When you have a partner that stays faithful despite temptation and loads of women throwing themselves at him, then you have a winner
8. He listens to you
…And not just listening while distracted they listen, listen. A good partner doesn’t hog the conversation, he asks you about your day and remembers the important things you told them because they actually listen.
“One of the signs that your date is likely to make a good mate is that he or she shows genuine interest in your life and listens attentively when you are speaking. They also remember things that you have told them about yourself,” says Elinor Greenberg, psychologist and author of Borderline, Narcissistic, and Schizoid Adaptations.