Do you men really want a low maintenance woman?

I'm really loving this thread, but, like a few others, I didn't read through the 7+ pages of conversation, so I, too, apologize if I repeat anything. With that being said, we're off.

I'm currently dating a guy who has dated both high- and low-maintenance women. He likes to do nice things like take his girl out for a nice dinner a couple times a month or so and make sure she's taken care of (financially and emotionally - he's not afraid to give hugs or hold me). He's a pretty low-maintenance dude financially except when it comes to his hobby (he races sprint cars on the weekends, soooo $_$). He doesn't need designer anything.

Meanwhile, I'm pretty low-maintenance myself (unless it's Disney stuff, haha!). I grew up a tomboy and have a degree in Construction (worked in the construction testing industry, too, and was VERY proud to be the only chick on the job site in most cases!). I don't buy anything designer (though we keep our money separate and plan to after marriage as well). I'm very independent financially and always have been. I hardly wear makeup but get my hair cut every eight to ten weeks, which is my expense. Plus, I can change my own oil and brakes.

Dude, Spinderella95 - PROPS, lady. I wish I had enough cash to go exotic with cars - or classic since I love me some muscle cars.

And amandamae6128, I SO agree. I try my best not to nag and agree that it's more of an emotional thing.

The biggest thing we need to remember is to be there for our significant other and want to be a better person for them. I know it sounds corny or lame, but he makes me want to be a better woman for him. However, the bottom line is this - if they do not love you for you, then they aren't worth it. You are AWESOME, and never forget it.

Alos, I think a lot more than 2% of women can get away with being low-maintenance, but they don't believe they can, so they spend hours and hours being high-maintenance. And some of them come out of it looking worse than without all the makeup and super-processed hair.

Just sayin'.

THIS

Several women have responded with their "routine" and say they are low maintenance. Some have listed things like shampooing hair, air drying hair, ponytails etc. My question for you ladies is, do you shave? Legs?, Underarms? Other places :blushing: ?

I do. All of the above. Everyday. I wash and dry my hair. Everyday. I wear a little bit of makeup. About as much as you see in my profile pic. My clothes are always neat and clean. Pressed even, when called for. My "routine" can be completed in about 35-40 minutes. I am usually ready before everyone else. That includes men.

Oh, and some of the guys have mentioned not liking to have their time wasted by waiting around. I totally agree. I get really pi$$ed off when I go away with my girlfriends and I offer to get in the shower last, so give them a head start on their "routine". Sometimes a full hour after them, and I am still standing around waiting on them to "be ready".

Not sure if any of the above makes me low maintenance or high. Either way, I'll live with it.

OP specifically stated not including showers. I do all the hair washing and shaving in the shower, and I only do one a day alternating days.

A high maintenance woman will constantly put her man in a position where he must make otherwise unnecessary sacrifices--whether of his money, time, effort, or of his mental/emotional well being--because unlike a normal woman, who can understand and process many different forms of love and affection, she is only capable of understanding sacrifice.

:huh: you've got to be kidding right?
I pay for my own hair, nails, cosmetics, clothes, shoes, procedures, etc. I make more money than my SO. I require nothing from him other than friendship and love. Time, effort and sacrifice for the good of the family is something we BOTH put in and is to be expected for any relationship.

I believe I mentioned having my own definition of low/high maintenance before saying the excerpt you quoted. It has nothing to do with looks. I then went on to say that I do also appreciate a woman who tends to keep the aesthetic stuff to a minimum because I like what it says about her sense of practicality. Take for example high heels. I hate them with a passion. My ideal woman would wear sneakers whenever the situation permitted because of their practicality.

A high maintenance woman will constantly put her man in a position where he must make otherwise unnecessary sacrifices--whether of his money, time, effort, or of his mental/emotional well being--because unlike a normal woman, who can understand and process many different forms of love and affection, she is only capable of understanding sacrifice.

:huh: you've got to be kidding right?
I pay for my own hair, nails, cosmetics, clothes, shoes, procedures, etc. I make more money than my SO. I require nothing from him other than friendship and love. Time, effort and sacrifice for the good of the family is something we BOTH put in and is to be expected for any relationship.

I believe I mentioned having my own definition of low/high maintenance before saying the excerpt you quoted. It has nothing to do with looks. I then went on to say that I do also appreciate a woman who tends to keep the aesthetic stuff to a minimum because I like what it says about her sense of practicality. Take for example high heels. I hate them with a passion. My ideal woman would wear sneakers whenever the situation permitted because of their practicality.

mmmk.
Well have fun on your next trip to the "build a woman workshop"

Ummm... k?

A high maintenance woman will constantly put her man in a position where he must make otherwise unnecessary sacrifices--whether of his money, time, effort, or of his mental/emotional well being--because unlike a normal woman, who can understand and process many different forms of love and affection, she is only capable of understanding sacrifice.

:huh: you've got to be kidding right?
I pay for my own hair, nails, cosmetics, clothes, shoes, procedures, etc. I make more money than my SO. I require nothing from him other than friendship and love. Time, effort and sacrifice for the good of the family is something we BOTH put in and is to be expected for any relationship.

I believe I mentioned having my own definition of low/high maintenance before saying the excerpt you quoted. It has nothing to do with looks. I then went on to say that I do also appreciate a woman who tends to keep the aesthetic stuff to a minimum because I like what it says about her sense of practicality. Take for example high heels. I hate them with a passion. My ideal woman would wear sneakers whenever the situation permitted because of their practicality.

mmmk.
Well have fun on your next trip to the "build a woman workshop"

Ummm... k?

My ideal woman would wear whatever footwear she wants to wear because she's a human being who can make her own decisions, not some plaything that exists to please me.

My ideal woman would wear whatever footwear she wants to wear because she's a human being who can make her own decisions, not some plaything that exists to please me.

jonnythan... this post is awesome.

:flowerforyou:

I guess it really depends on the guy and what you mean by "low maintenance".

If you mean by "getting made up" standards, I'd say I'm pretty low maintenance. I grew up in a super affluent area where what you wore, what you carried and what you drove determined how you were treated and I got over that FAST. I can appreciate nice things, but I don't have to own them. I don't wear make-up to work every day and usually only if we're going out. I can dress up when I want to, but most of the time I'm pretty relaxed (mind you, this is not sweats and yoga clothes all day long).

However, I think I'm mentally high maintenance. I require someone who can hold their own with me intellectually. I need someone I can have debates with on a variety of topics, someone who's got an opinion and a backbone. I need someone who's also emotionally sensitive and can communicate well. In that way, I am very demanding. I expect a lot, because I give a lot.

I love playing the house wife - I love cooking, keeping a house clean, growing a garden, taking care of my man. I don't expect him to do his "half" in house chores, but if I'm doing the cooking, cleaning, and laundry, he better not give me attitude when I ask him to take the trash out. Luckily, I've found a guy who makes me feel appreciated and is respectful, and never fails to help me on the occasions I need him to take the trash out, grab something, etc.

ETA: I guess in my case, I think guys DO like a high maintenance woman - someone who challenges them and expects them to hold their own, even if they say they don't. Men need a challenge. How many guys do you know get complacent and bored in their relationships? How many women do you know get upset because their significant others just don't "try" anymore? No expectations = no results.

My ideal woman would wear whatever footwear she wants to wear because she's a human being who can make her own decisions, not some plaything that exists to please me.

I really don't care how long a woman takes to get ready or how much she spends on getting her hair done - if it makes her feel good about herself then it's money well spent. I don't consider that to be high maintenance to be honest!

Chronic insecurity and nagging are two things that would make someone high maintenance to me...that's the things headaches are made of!

PS - I should say unjustified nagging...us blokes do need nagging sometimes