Ask any group of girls to describe their ideal man and each one will give you a different answer. While one lusts after silent beefcakes another goes gushy over geeks in glasses. Some chicks love brains, some brawn, the more demanding among them want both. The truth is, there's no such thing as the universally perfect guy.
This is great news for us men. It means that whatever you look like, there is a girl who wants you. Whatever your interests or occupation, there's a chick who finds you fascinating.
But what if you want to broaden your appeal by making yourself attractive to as many girls as possible?
Luckily, there are certain character traits which almost every woman finds desirable. Read on to discover what they are.
1. A Sense of Humor
We are forever being told that women want a man with a sense of humor. We are being told this because it is true.
If you can make a woman laugh she will quickly come to associate spending time in your company with feelings of happiness. In the shorter term, putting a smile on a girl's face is the simplest way of putting her at ease.
Bear in mind that girls are rarely amused by mad pranks and crude jokes. Instead, deliver a selection of amusing anecdotes and master the art of the irreverent wisecrack.
2. Ambition
Many men believe that every girl wants a guy with money. This is not necessarily true. Sure, most chicks would love to dine in the finest restaurants and relax in your penthouse apartment - but accumulated wealth means less to them than your future ambitions.
Even a penniless student can impress a girl if he has big dreams. Make it clear that not only do you have great goals but that you are actively pursuing them and your determination will soon win her over.
3. Attentiveness
Every girl loves to feel like she's special, and that's exactly how you should treat her.
On a first date, show some good old-fashioned manners. Hold doors open for her, pick up the check and offer her your jacket if she's cold.
When she talks to you, listen. Don't let your eyes wander across the room and don't interrupt her with exciting tales of your own. Bear in mind that when women share their problems they're looking for sympathy not solutions, so keep your helpful suggestions to yourself for now, squeeze her hand and wear your best supportive smile.
4. Confidence
If you don't think you deserve her attention, why should she bother giving it to you?
Women don't want to spend all evening reassuring you that you're worth spending time with. Learn to ignore those niggling doubts about yourself and fake some self esteem. Stand up straight and resist the urge to hide in the corners. Meet her eyes, smile widely and consciously maintain a slow, steady tone of voice.
If you can act like you're someone special, she will believe that you are.
5. A Sense of Fun
Whether your aim is a one night stand or a series of dates, boredom and negativity are your worst enemies. Don't complain to her and don't lecture her about everything that's wrong with the world. Instead, focus on the positive. Approach your time together with energy and enthusiasm, show spontaneity and tell her about all the fun and exciting ways you like to live your life.
Invite her to try something new, tease her and tell her jokes, or simply show enthusiasm for the future. You can become any woman's ideal man; you just have to be the one who makes her smile.
For many men, their honest answer would be "nothing". They spend the evening rooted to the spot, pint in hand, staring through the crowds in the hopes that willpower alone will draw that hot chick closer. I don't need to tell you that this approach is doomed to failure - if there's one way to guarantee that nothing will happen with a girl, it's to do absolutely nothing to attract her.
No, if you want a hot chick's name and number, the only way to get it is to go on over there and talk to her.
But what if you believe that that's easier said than done?
Approaching a woman unprepared can seem like a terrifying prospect. We know that we need to seem witty, smart and sexy if we're going to hold her attention, but we also know that our brains cannot be relied upon to present us in our best light. Faced with a gorgeous girl, addled with alcohol, and in the full knowledge that all our friends are watching us, we having a sneaking suspicion that we'll somehow find ourselves telling her about snails or the price of bin bags.
This is where corny pick up lines come in. Armed with a great one liner, we can go over to that girl safe in the knowledge that the first thing to come out of our mouth will be amusing.
But do pick up lines really work? After all, girls seem to spend so much time complaining about the terrible lines which men have attempted to use on them, it's enough to give any guy doubts. Are our favorite one liners really so cocky, cliched or downright tacky that we haven't a hope of success?
Not necessarily. Pick up lines can be a powerful tool, but you have to learn to use them well.
Start by avoiding any lines which have been around longer than you have. If I told you you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me? might have worked in your grandfather's day, but modern chicks associate it with seventies sit-coms. Likewise, any line which involves angels or phoning her mother.
Steer clear of saying anything which involves too much staging or too many props. It might seem witty to intentionally spill a drink, crush the ice cubes underfoot, then remark, Now that the ice is broken, how about it?, but it's a waste of a good drink and it isn't going to reap you any rewards. If your pick up line is too intricate or too well rehearsed, the girl will assume that you try it with every chick in a short enough skirt, and will quickly shoot you down.
Finally, don't resort to lines which are crude or offensive. Even if all you're after is a one night wonder, jokes about genitals will put her right off.
Instead, keep your pick up lines brief, flattering and convincingly original.
But do bear in mind that chicks these days know exactly what you're up to. A corny pick up line might get her laughing, but the real magic is in how you say it.
Be self-deprecating. Try delivering your line, then grinning and laughing at yourself, telling her, I'm sorry, I know that's really terrible "I just wanted an excuse to come and talk to you." This approach is funny, it's friendly and it's extremely flattering, it short, it ticks all her boxes.