Dating -- From the girls on the DEAF-L mailing list

When asked what a girl would look for in a guy she might like to go out with, here were the replies:

• Cute--but this really means "well-groomed". Any boy who feels he is better looking than his date has got to go! We ain't all Miss America, and neither are the guys! Who cares?! Glasses are fine. Hearing aids are fine. However, respect for your body is important.


• Positive--don't like boys who are negative all the time. Complainers are not attractive. For example, Rush Limbaugh was funny the first few times, but he gets old quick!


• Open-minded---to new ideas. Neat things to discuss.


• Good manners/respectful---in every situation. Good manners is the art of making the *other* person feel comfortable.


• Conversation/communication-- this was the most important. This is how you find out more about each other. Should be able to converse on a variety of topics. Common interests aren't as important as is the art of conversation where you express *sincere* interest in finding out more about the other person.


• If you don't understand, ask for more information. Women just love vulnerable men! This is the way to get your foot in the door, so to speak.


• Conversation! Isn't that what Jean just said a few posts back?! Right on, gal!


• One thing that was not mentioned is *sweetness*. I really don't know how to describe this really. An older Jewish fellow from my youth, who I'm sure has passed away now, told me of his courtship with his wife, which lasted all their married lives. Very special. Tenderness.


• Another thing that was not mentioned was intelligence. That would be automatically found out in "conversation", according to this poll. Intelligence would be measured by knowledge of current topics and conversation skills on those topics. Current topics would be defined as anything important to either of you.


• Just information here. Take heed on the "conversation" part, and consider all the others to be "subsets" of conversation, IMHO. People date each other to get to know each other better. That is supposed to be the purpose.


• Money-wise? Just remember that many girls are willing to go "dutch" these days.