I started this thread in hopes that you would tell us guys what 'manly' behavior does for you (if anything) and for you to describe what you think is good 'manly' behavior.
I hope that the information gathered here can help men learn to relate to their wives in a better way.
Feel free to define what you think is 'jerky' behavior as well, but please, no bashing.
Thanks, -NOPkins-
I will ferret out an affair at any opportunity.
-An affair is the embodiment of entitlement, fueled by resentment and lack of respect. -An infidel will remain unreachable so long as their sense of entitlement exceeds their ability to reason.
You want "behavior" not just adjectives, right? Hmmmmm....at the moment I'm having a I-know-it-when-I-see-it--but-can't-put-my-finger-on-it mental block. I can say self-confident but not arrogant or self-absorbed, but those are just adjectives.
I also like self-confident but not arrogant or self-absorbed in women too. Does this need to be something I specifically would look for in men? (I'm analyzing too much.)
Intriguing question. I will now obsess over the weekend.
1. Facial hair, esp. when not an actual beard but just left for a few days. It is a sign of masculinity and drives me wild every time.
2. When he's not afraid to make decisions/take charge but he'll also cry if something bad has happened, or admit to feeling fear (vulnerability is a turn on).
3. When he's just as interested in talking about your day as he is in sleeping with you and you and he doesn't mind if you walk in while he's in the shower.
4. When he thinks his pregnant W is sexy (now that's a REAL man) and cries at the birth (oh, so romantic).
5. If he can just as easily cradle his baby as he can go down the pub for a pint with the lads.
6. If he doesn't mind watching romantic films and going shopping with W without moaning, and flowers are not an outdated concept.
7. If he isn't afraid to tell his W when she has upset him and is able to listen without walking out.
8. If he doesn't think all women are LD and he is as willing to be passive in bed as he is to take the lead (having a mix of both are great and giving W instructions is also a major turn on).
9. He offers to lift heavy stuff and change light bulbs and do the gardening etc and compliments W's house keeping/clothes/hair etc or even just does it without saying anything.
10. Complimenting W on her mothering skills - that gets me all the time.
11. 'Protection' - i.e, defending W from relatives arguments etc. I have on ocassions been physically protected by my H and is one of the reasons I love him so much.
Well, that's what I reckon is manly Now being prepared to be shot down in flames!
If my H defends me in an argument, that shows he cares about me and is on the same page as me.
I think 'Oi you, leave MY wife alone' is so sexy.
If he didn't stand up for me I would interpret it as uncaring, indifference, not thinking my problems were important etc.
A H defending me is my proof of his love and devotion, that he loves me so much he is willing to put his neck on the line with others to stand up for me.
Good question...I'm just going to add to Ioavva's list since she already named off several of mine too. Let me see if I can put it into words.
Manly behaviors for me would include (in no particular order here):
#1 Standing by your lady when she's standing up for herself. I'm a woman who can very adeptly take care of most situations, but there's just something comforting/sexy about knowing my man is right behind me if I need him.
#2 Looking at me like I'm the only other person in a crowded room.
#3 Quiet Confidence. You know...someone who can own a room, without saying a word. This is someone who holds himself up proudly, head up, looks people in the eye...not a braggard or a big mouth!
#4 Gently guiding your lady through a crowded room w/your hand on the small of her back.
#5 Standing up for me if necessary when I'm not even present. My H doesn't let ANYONE badmouth me.
#6 (goes w/#5) Praising your W when she's not even around. This is also something my H is constantly doing. I've heard from many friends how he brags about me, which is wonderful...now he just needs to let me in on it too LOL. But I do find this quality in him VERY appealing.
#7 Playing w/the family.
#8 Backing you up w/the kids and not making YOU look like the bad guy all the time.
Ok....now I'm drawing a blank, those were hard enough to come up with right now LOL.
Now...here's what I find to be jerkish behavior...
#1 Interrupting to correct me when I'm trying to explain something.
#2 Yelling/cursing in public!
#3 Self Deprication. I HATE it when a man consistently puts himself down!
#4 Treating others rudely....i.e. waitstaff. It was a deal breaker for me when dating if a guy treated a waiter/waitress rudely. Unecessary, uncalled for, tacky & rude!
#5 Not responding to e-mails.
#6 Assuming I should just know he loves me because he's still w/me!!!....put that one at the top of the list!
#7 Not backing you up as a parent w/the kids. If you have set out a consequence/punishment for something and it needs to happen....he needs to back you up on it (and vice-versa).
#8 Hearing him brag about himself all the time. You know...someone who is just wrapped up in how wonderful they are.
Hmmmm...I know I have more of each, but I'm a bit brain-dead right now.
I like what Jo and GEL wrote. Let's see what pops into my head:
Positive things:
1. Checking up on me during the day ( that I am thought of even if the day is hectic).
2. When he shows the kids affection in a spontaneous way ( and when they do the same). This always makes me smile.
3. Showing generosity---can be as simple as giving a big tip to a harried waitress.
4. Complimenting me on something I have put a lot of effort into, whether it's my appearance or that freakin' science project for my kid.
5. Helping me set limits with certain family members and connecting/actively participating with others. Doing the same thing with friends.
6. Being able to handle my emotions...showing strength, compassion and humor and not getting dragged down when I'm a basket case. We're still working on this one!
7. Making special plans for just the two of us (and the family as well). His insistence on a weekly date night got us on track.
8. Knowing I can count on him in an emergency. My H can act detached and clueless, but when something serious happens, he is there.
Negative thingss ( really the opposite of the above, point by point):
1. Forgetting about me during the day...not checking in, running late without calling, lack of accountability.
2. Interacting with the kids in a negative way...criticizes, yells, ignores, etc.
3. Being petty or cheap or judges what I have spent money on, even if it's something important for me.
4. Criticizes me, especially when it's something out of my control( example: negative comment about gray in my hair or house being messy when I am really exhausted).
5. Not interested in socializing or lets me drown in some interactions with friends/family.
6. Overpersonalizing my bad moods or detaching so much that I feel uncared for.
7. Waits for me to make plans answers with that indifferent/apathetic "I don't know."
8. Unavailable emotionally/physically when something bigtime happens.
Now being prepared to be shot down in flames! 
