In men, I don't like:
Tattoos.
Long hair.
Piercings.
Not dressing up for nice occasions (like church).
Getting drunk.
Smoking.
Hanging out with drunken/smoking friends.
A solid, religious devotion to video games.
Cussing.
Crude talk.
Talking about sex in a non-gentlemanly way.
A disdain for opera or classical music.
Unemployment.
Not understanding Shakespeare. (or at least trying)
Being a drop out.
Bad teeth.
Bad grammar or spelling.
Two fingers like a backwards peace sign in pictures...with accompanying "cool" face. Lame.
Apathy about history.
(Uninformed) Northern sympathy
The names ... ( Ok...I took this one off because I didn't want to explain it over and over again.)Automaton-like emotional response.
Saying "I'm a guy" as an excuse for not understanding.
------------------
Wow. No wonder I'm 27 and still single.
Comments (427)
Yeah you need to work on that write trash thing. We all know that the trashy shall inherent the earth
@trunthepaige - Maybe the earth, but a white trash man shall not inherit *me*.
You are perfectly laced,
it's the guys who aren't! 
Nahh I don't think your straight laced. You know what you want and that's a good thing.
Though I'm interested why not the name "Dave" or David"? If you don't feel comfortable answering you can just ignore the question
Honestly, maybe you are. I can't say, because I'm not you.
Tattoos, long hair, piercings, those are, many times, typical outward displays of inward attitudes that may or may not be unhealthy - regardless, I don't think it's too straightlaced to want to be with a guy who's respectful, doesn't waste his life away on video games (or Xanga) and doesn't curse.
However, when you add disdain for certain music, a lack of understanding of Shakespeare ... that's getting a little too picky, I think. Uninformed Northern sympathy is just as bad as uninformed Southern sympathy (and that's coming from a guy raised in the South).
"Cool" pictures - some guys just like to goof off sometimes.
My name's Dave.
And sometimes "I'm a guy" is a perfectly legitimate excuse. NOT for everything! But on some things - there is just no way that a male brain can wrap around some female thoughts/processes. SOMETIMES we just honestly don't get it. And that's coming from a guy who tries as hard as he can to understand everything, and RARELY uses that excuse. Sometimes it's just a fact though.
Pick the important ones. The "dealbreakers" if you will. Drunkennes, faith, well-kept appearance. Let the others go, and see what happens. However, if you pick "the name Dave" as a dealbreaker, well I'd say that's just a bit overboard.
@XxWiltedRosexX - Broken heart = that name is forever spoiled for me. It could be redeemed, but...would be hard.
@XxWiltedRosexX - I know. :)
One more thing - some guys' brains just aren't wired to accept Shakespeare (again, that's coming from a guy who could read Hamlet all day).
Sometimes it's the differences that build the relationship, not the similarities.
@icicle84 - I think they WOULD be if they weren't under educated and apathetic about it.
@NightCometh - have to disagree there. Some people are more oriented toward, say math or science than language and history. And not everyone HAS to accept Shakespeare. I honestly wouldn't care if the woman I married could quote "To be or not to be."
I don't mind if she listens to classical music (though I'm a country fan myself - I can listen to some classical). My real "dealbreakers" (outside of, of course, attraction), are: she needs to be a Christian, she needs to be respectful, and, of course, she needs to love me! :)
@icicle84 - I have to respectfully say that MANY more guys could reach much higher levels of literary understanding if it wasn't considered nerdy to do so. Or if they just tried. Of public school, I am not a fan. ;)
@NightCometh - I don't mind if you disagree. And I don't have a problem if you want to set literary competence as a standard for guys you date/marry. But if you're trying to set that as a standard to which EVERYONE should aspire, I'd still have to say that's unrealistic and unfair.
I know a lot of science "nerds" would balk knowing my general opinion of chemistry, algebra and physics. The world needs them to go 'round, but I don't need to know their ins and outs to live the life I have.
So too, most people really don't need to know Shakespeare and Shelley to function. For us, it's a diversion. For others, it may not be so diverting. They go to other places when they need a break. Maybe it's suspense fiction (of Ted Dekker I am a huge fan, and I read much more along the lines of Frank Peretti than I do of John Milton).
@icicle84 - I'm also not saying he has to LOVE classical music...but there is a feeling if ill-will toward this type of music from among certain sets of people I know. As if it's inferior to modern music.
@NightCometh - true, but I know some people cross the line the other way.
Some people's ears have a preference for different types of harmony. It's a preference. Not a moral failing, even if people believe one is inferior to the other.
I believe certain types of writing are inferior to others. I don't much care for Louisa May Alcott. Then again, my sister doesn't care for Edgar Allen Poe. I may actually believe Alcott is inferior, but my sister doesn't hold the preference against me.
The problem is when it turns into disdain for the PERSON who prefers rock to Bach. Or vice versa. If people crinkle their noses at you when you say you prefer Beethoven, that's where the problem is. I don't care if the girl I marry hates country music with a passion (however, that could make things slightly bumpy, now that I think about it).
To answer the blog title's question, no, just classy. Although when you include on the don't-likes "a solid, religious devotion to video games", do you include those who simply enjoy playing video games (such as Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Scene It, etc.) with friends, or just those who love them with an unhealthy addiction?
@spartan26 - I enjoy video games, myself. I just don't want to be with someone who worships in front of the X-Box alter... you know?
@NightCometh - No indeed, anyone who worships at the altar of anything made by Microsoft has definite red flags
@spartan26 - Of course, my TV and computer are on a lot...so I need to be careful to not be hypocritical. I just am wary of "gamer" culture. Games should not be the main focus of life...
Well... honestly, it doesn't sound overly straightlaced to me. I don't care about every little thing you described - but I am an academic snob (I need to date / marry a guy with a degree), and I would strongly prefer him to be employed... and there are so many other things. But getting into a preference about ol' Shakes... well, that might be pushing the envelope. Then again... I really can't say anything about a list of requirements for a future mate, because I'm 22 and have basically given up on dating... since I'm sure the "Right One" cannot exist (and admittedly, it's probably due to my lack of willingness to be extroverted and also my long list of requirements.) Wow, that was a long comment... can ya tell you hit a nerve?
Look at the conversation you ignited!
I'm with ya 100% on all of those! And I know there are decent guys out there, they just all seem to be "taken" at my age, but are probably not, at yours.
I am picky, but I can't stand lots of those things, and believe me, if you "settle" for some of your "deal breakers" or things that would drive you crazy or be irritating to you (like smoking, drinking, tattoos, not dressing appropriately for the occasion - believe me, they will haunt you forever. I'm awfully glad to have my daughter, but I should never have gotten past the first date with her father. I let a couple of these things slide - such as his propensity to dress too casually for every occasion, and wear T shirts all the time - and it wound up being a really big thing, for he didn't respect me, or the occasion, enough to take the time to dress appropriately, when I did. I thought that was (and is) very disrespectful to the people you are with. His attitude? "Screw "whoever", this is how I like to dress/act/behave/whatever" and that's how he is about everything in life - selfish to the core. These "little things" do matter.
@sonnetjoy - Ignite is a good word.
@musicmom60 - It's very hard to draw lines about what's ok and what's not. I wish I had been a bit more picky in my last relationship before it got to the 1.5 year mark.
Yup, I'm disqualified by your list.
I don't usually dress up for church. A fairly nice shirt and jeans for me. Or sometimes a T-Shirt and jeans. I teach high school kids, and I tend to dress like them. (at times)
Getting drunk? Nah, I had three beers tonight at a friend's birthday party though. (spread out over time that is)
Does this eliminate me from the running?
If so, maybe you are too picky. :P
@Tom@revelife - Set an example, dearie!
I'm drinking right now. But I know when to stop.
@NightCometh - I do set an example. I feel comfortable in church, and they should too. :)
As my class has changed a bit over time I have been dressing nicer. I want to be able to relate to them, and I think in ways that helps. The T-Shirt wearing stuff is pretty rare now.