[orthodoc]

I love intelligence in a man. I distrust excessively handsome men and avoid pretty ones completely. I love a man with skills - practical know-how, like how to manage a woodlot without killing yourself, how to build things and dry firewood and plant a successful garden and tend livestock and/or successfully hunt (preferably with a bow) - in addition to being intelligent. That's hot enough to melt cotton, silk, and wool.

I love a man who enjoys a good laugh, who isn't defensive and constantly assessing, judging, and finding fault. I love a man who's relaxed and secure enough to be himself, show his best traits and skills without fear (cooking, artistic skills/ability, etc. rank right up there along with the other practical skills).

I love a man who enjoys kissing - kissing can easily be more intimate than sex. But I also want the sex, and I want to give pleasure as well as receive it.

I don't want a man who plays games or says things he doesn't mean.

I've never understood the playing games thing and have failed miserably at dating because of it. I completely miss the signals that game-players send each other. If a woman is doing that, run for the hills.

So, that was personal and individual. But Dana's right - there's no such thing as 'women' as a class. We're all different. Taking time to get to know a woman before trying to bed her is probably the wisest approach ... you can skip the game-players and man-changers and wounded spirits who need saving if you take your time. Decide what YOU value, as in core values, and then get to know a woman well enough to be able to discern her core values and whether they match yours. Surface interests don't always have to match, if the core values are in harmony.