Everyone has a set of traits that they admire in potential partners, but there are some universal behaviors that are appreciated across the board. If your man displays these 12 habits, you know he’s a keeper.
1. Personal integrity.
He will be honest about situations even if that may have negative repercussions, and he will do “the right thing” despite the fact that nobody’s watching. This could involve stopping at a traffic light in the middle of a desert, or taking responsibility for a mistake that could be attributed anonymously to another.
2. Self-discipline.
Instead of making excuses as to why he can’t do something that’s important to him, he’ll be persistent and resilient in pursuing his goals. He doesn’t take the easy way out, and he will stick to his resolutions even when things get difficult, or if others try to tempt him.
3. Honesty.
A good man recognizes the importance of honesty, especially when it’s balanced with tact and diplomacy. Is he as honest about what he thinks and feels as he is about finances and past behaviors? Then you know that you’ll be able to trust him, even when and if things get difficult.
4. Courage.
Courage isn’t the absence of fear: rather, it’s the ability to feel scared and still do what needs to be done. If your man displays courage instead of cowardice, and takes action when others are running away and hiding, you know that you’ll always be able to depend on him.
5. Capability.
It’s important for every person to be as capable across the board as humanly possible. Can he cook a meal as easily as he can do home repairs? You know he’s a keeper if he has a wide variety of skills and he keeps expanding them to broaden his repertoire.
6. Kindness.
You can tell a lot about a person by how they treat those who can’t do much for them. Is he kind towards the elderly or those with special needs? How is he with old or injured animals? If he treats others with compassion rather than contempt, you’ve found a good one.
7. Patience.
Can this man delay immediate gratification in order to pursue a goal? If so, that’s a huge sign of maturity. The same goes for if he can remain gentle and calm while teaching someone a skill, despite the fact that they’re struggling with it, instead of getting irritable or cruel.
8. Resilience.
How does he behave in a crisis: by giving up? Or by pressing onwards? Life gets difficult at times, but if he can shoulder the inevitable slings and arrows with grace and dignity and keep getting up after being knocked down repeatedly, that’s an immensely admirable trait in a man.
9. Loyalty.
You know that a man is a keeper when he shows loyalty to people he cares about. This may entail being faithful to his partner despite being apart for months (or years) at a time, or standing by a close friend during difficult circumstances when everyone else has abandoned them.
10. Good communication skills.
A good man makes the effort to listen more than he speaks, and to ensure that everyone involved understands each other. This involves active listening and open body language, speaking clearly and articulately, avoiding too much profanity, and checking in regularly to make sure you’re all on the same page.
11. Respectful behavior.
He’ll bring you your bag if you need something rather than going through it without permission. Similarly, he may offer to carry an elder’s groceries for them, and will treat sanitation workers or homeless people with the same amount of respect as he would show a senator or reigning monarch.
12. Gratitude.
Sincerely good men don’t take things for granted: they appreciate what they have and what others do for them, and they express their gratitude on a regular basis. If you do something for him, he’ll let you know how much he appreciates what you’ve done, and he will make it a priority to reciprocate.
