Are your standards too low?

Mar 08, 2011 9:23 AM by Jessica Padykula

Posted in Love & Sex / Single Girls' Guide / Dating Dos & Don'ts

Avoiding Mr. Wrong

If you’ve been dating duds month after month, your standards just might be too low. Just as being too rigid in your definition of date-able can limit your chances of finding a great guy, having low standards can you leave you saddled with a less-than-ideal creep. Here’s how to find a balance and raise your dating standards.

Woman on bad date

Raising your dating standards

Make a list.

Have you ever sat down and thought about what you really want in a guy? Even if you have a general idea of what you like (Ryan Gosling, please) and don't like (lazy cheapskates need not apply), get more specific.

Actually write a list of all the traits you think you'd want in a guy, making the majority of them non-physical i.e., sense of humor, close ties with friends and family, etc.). Revisit your list as you meet and date new guys to see who matches up.

Aim higher.

Just because you think you're not pretty enough or smart enough to date a certain type of guy doesn't mean it's true.

As an experiment, ask out a guy you'd normall think of as too good looking or too successful to want to date someone like you. Chances are he'll be stoked about your bold move and say yes. The point of the exercise is to show you that you have more to offer (and deserve more) than you think you do.

Just say no.

Sometimes, you're just going to have to pass on guys whom you know aren't worth your time. Yes, it's nice to be asked out, and you should give different guys a chance, but saying yes to every guy who asks you out can spell trouble. Remember that list of what you want in a guy? Make one of deal breakers, too, and stick to it when you get asked out.

Check out: 10 Easy ways to be more confident >>