Posted on 05/17/2005 6:21:03 PM PDT by pissant
High maintenance women are like high maintenance sports cars. They're lots of fun when you're out on the town together, but for every hour of showing off, there are another 10 spent on upkeep and repair behind the scenes. After hours of polishing the headlights in your garage, you might ask yourself -- is this really worth it, just for a couple of rides? Probably not, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't consider dating high maintenance women. Read on to learn how to identify these demanding gals, and the positives and negatives that go along with them.
TELLTALE SIGNS
Broadly defined, high maintenance women are those who need many things (money, material goods, affection) to be happy. These women love dressing up whenever possible, and are obsessed with all aspects of their personal appearance and grooming in general. This almost obsessive attention to detail usually extends beyond their person, to their homes or apartments, their pets, and yes, even their men. In addition, they tend to be perfectionists, overachievers, self-centered, and a bit vain.
Need a quick litmus test to determine whether she's high maintenance or not?
Ask yourself the following questions: Do you let her pick out her own gifts on her birthday and at Christmas because she's so picky that you don't want to bother giving her something she'll only return anyway? Does she often send back food in restaurants if it's not exactly to her liking? Does she put make-up on whenever she goes out, even if it's just to the grocery store?
If the answer to any or all of these questions is yes, then you are definitely dating a high maintenance woman. Fortunately, there are some upsides to this situation.
Pro: She looks like a million bucks
High maintenance gals are arm candy, pure and simple. Their fascination with their own looks means that whenever they step out of the house, they look perfect. And guess what? When you're with someone who looks good, you look good too. It's not just self-aggrandizement either; there's no shame in feeling proud of being with the foxiest woman in the room at a party. She puts great effort into looking great, so when it pays off, more power to her! And you.
Con: She knows she looks like a million bucks
The worst pitfall to dating this type of woman is without a doubt dealing with her vanity. She's never met a mirror she didn't like, and even if her looks aren't her absolute highest priority, they're still near the top of the list. Constantly discussing the minutiae of her appearance ("Yeah, the red skirt is cuter... Can we go now?") is just plain tedious.
And other negative traits accompany vanity, such as being a spendthrift; she may blow huge wads on things like manicures, self-tanning, and keeping up with each and every trend. She may also take herself too seriously and not be able to withstand even the gentlest teasing about her personal appearance or quirks. Who wants a woman with no sense of humor about herself?
When advice becomes nagging, a challenge becomes a chore, and your cutie becomes a princess, should you cut her loose?
Pro: She's a source of free style advice
This type of woman likes to be with a man who can match her when it comes to looks and status. She never dates "down," if you will. She will encourage you, or even buy things on her own initiative, that she thinks will better your appearance. She will give you constant advice on grooming, whether it's about haircuts, which styles suit you, or what the heck you should do with that facial hair. Left to their own devices, some men end up looking like slobs or get stuck in a style rut and never leave it. However, if you're dating a high maintenance woman, she'll make it her mission to make you as stylin' as she is.
Con: Free style advice = nagging
Occasional well-intentioned advice can be helpful. Constant nagging about perceived flaws in one's appearance, on the other hand, is extremely irritating. The downside of dating a fashion maven is dealing with their critical nature. Maybe you like those old jeans you've had since college, even if they are getting a little ratty. Why should you stop wearing them just because she turns her nose up every time she sees you in them?
Pro: She's a challenge
For men who like to be challenged on a daily basis, the high maintenance girl is the perfect choice. She likes attention, compliments and fancy dinners, and she demands the best of all these things. She will keep you on your toes, refusing any response from you other than absolute respect.
Honesty tends to go part and parcel with this woman. She's usually a straight shooter who's eager to let you know when she's not pleased, which can be very refreshing for a change. You will always know where you stand with her because she makes her needs clear.
Con: She can't be satisfied
On the flip side, the high maintenance woman is like a ravenous beast, always wanting more of everything. She will find faults in all your best efforts, and honestly, some women just aren't worth the bother.
Pro: She's sugar and spice and everything nice
High maintenance often translates into a pleasant femininity in straight women. They're not rough-and-ready, they can be a little dependent, but they're also appreciative when you do nice things for them. Men who like "girly girls" tend to go for this type. At first, it's cute if she relies on you to squash a spider for her or open a jar of pickles. Many men enjoy playing the part of caretaker, which is the role they are usually directed into when in the company of this type of woman. If you like feeling needed and useful, this is the perfect woman for you.
Con: She has Princess Syndrome
Just like all the other cons, this one is simply the previous positive point taken to an unhealthy extreme. Über-effeminate women are often victims of what can be called "Princess Syndrome," or excessively precious behavior stemming from the belief that they are somehow above certain tasks. Some high maintenance women may just flatly refuse to shoulder their share of the load. For example, I know one woman who always makes her husband do all the yard work and mowing because she is too "delicate" for it. Typically, they hate camping, hiking, loud parties, and more. In other words, if you're looking for an equal partnership, do not date these women.
IF YOU CAN TAKE THE HEAT
For a certain type of man, high maintenance women are well worth the time and effort of wooing and winning. If reading the above caused a tingle in your spine -- of fear, that is, not desire -- then you're not one of them. Cut and run because, at the end of the day, if the woman in your life is more of a bummer than a booster, she's just not worth it. No matter how fine she looks in her Manolo Blahniks.
Rough week, huh?
I'll take that as a compliment!
My Beloved not only was the first part: extremely meticulous about her person, her children and house vain and beautiful but she was far more handy than I and could handle any tool with precision. I only wish I could have spent more on her maintenance.
However she failed in making a silk purse outta this sow's ear though I wore what she commanded. Looking at our pictures they look like Ingrid Bergman with Oscar Madison.
just gradually slip into that high maintenance mode. Maybe hubby won't notice....
I can probably do more than more than any metrosexual:
I'm a good painter/scraper/edger (inside and ouside painting).
Spent my high school summers helping my dad putting up gutters, cleaning gutters in spring and fall, build retaining walls (that was hell), tuc-point (sp?) chimmenys, tearing off roofs...I did all. I had the best boss and was making a lot more money than my girlfirends who were hostessing after school :)
Put me on any two-story house, with gloves and tennis shoes, I'll get dirty cleaning gutters and still shine up like a new penny.
Phewy on askmen.com.
This woman is not into the high-maintenance fluff things.
I have more guns (5) than pairs of shoes (4).
"Are High Maintenance Women Worth It?"
No.
Let's hope so!
Ouch! ;o)
I guess I'll refrain from giving YOU a snarky reply. ;o)
Huh? That's no big deal. They don't need help to plump.
Reminds me of the commercial during the Olympics a few years back. Creasy-Joyner (sp) was running along a beach....You could hear her voice saying...I can run faster than all but X number of men in the world....Jump higher than Y number...etc etc........(pause) "and I have red toe nails"...Little sign for AVON appeared!
Have kept my toenails red since then......as a tribute to her and a reminder that one doesn't have to lose their feminity even it they tackle unfamiliar jobs.
This is the same website that referred to us as "Little Stalins".
Absolutely yes. As the article points out, they tend to be feminine and hold themselves to high standards. Low maintenance women these days tend to be earthy, tomboy types...OK, if that's your thing. It sure ain't mine... ;)
By the standards of today, every single woman alive in the 40's and 50's would be considered "high maintenance".
I think its a bunch of 20 something, liberal idiots. But it can be quite entertaining. Sorry, I'll find a better post fer ya! ;o)
Amen sister!
:)
And yes, I remember that commercial fondly.
And I agree with you, just because a woman looks good doesn't mean she doesn't want to camp, can't handle a hammer or doesn't know that a "bullet" is really a cartridge
Mr. Jeeves, always a proper response in a sea of juvenile delinquency! Let your hair down, will ya!
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