For any woman who’s ever wished that single men came with signs on their backs explaining how to date and relate to them, we present the 15 types of guys you might meet out there in the wild. Oh, and we got cute up-and-coming actors to play along too!
1. The Coffee Shop Intellectual
Plumage: His attire is mostly composed of black, and he has the rare ability to wear tight jeans without looking ridiculous. “I think every guy should own a pair of skinny black jeans and boots,” says Sebastian Stan, our poster boy here. “When I showed up for the photo shoot, I had been wearing mine for like two days.”
Behavior: He knows how to have fun, but big groups scare him. “Karaoke bars are up on the list of places I like to hang out. I really like going out with just my closest friends.”
Habits: He dislikes anyone — man or woman — who is fake. “Pretension is a huge turnoff,” says Stan. “There’s nothing more amazing than if you’re lucky enough to be with someone who can inspire you. It’s that, mixed with passion.”
Field Notes: The CSI wants a woman who is comfortable (a) with herself and (b) letting him be who he is, whoever that may be at the moment. “I’m a completely different person than I was four years ago,” says Stan. “I try to meld with the times and stay open to new ideas.”
2. The Man-Child
Plumage: Anything comfortable and bright. “I tend to stick to T-shirts and jeans,” says Kid Cudi (at left), a child at heart. “Oh, and my Surface To Air leather jacket is the favorite thing I own. I love that jacket, and if anything ever happened to it, I’d be really hurt.”
Behavior: He is happy spending the night with his video games. Really. “I’ve got an Xbox and I’ve got a Wii and I’ve got a PlayStation 3.”
Habits: The Man-Child is looking for someone who is as confident with who she is as he is with himself. “I love a girl who is true to herself. If you’re not a girl that wears heels, then don’t wear heels.”
Field Notes: To be with this guy, you have to know how to have fun. “The first thing that attracts me is personality,” says Cudi. “I’m a silly dude, and I love to crack jokes. I want somebody who can hang with that. If I spit out a joke, I want somebody who bounces right back and spits out a joke at me.”
3. The Prepster
Plumage: Even this guy’s casual is a bit dressy, and he knows how — and when — to rock a suit. “I’m a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy,” says Matt Bomer (at left). “But for a nice social function, I like to make an effort. It shows people that you give a damn.”
Habits: Good manners are a huge turn-on. “Anybody who is rude to anyone in the service industry is automatically out.”
Field Notes: The Prepster loves high-end hobbies, a full bookshelf, and someone who can challenge him intellectually. “I like strong opinions. I’ll take that any day over someone who agrees with everything.”
4. The Suave Foreigner
Plumage: He’s totally irresistible, from his great hair to his you-can’t-tell-if-they’ve-ever-been-washed tight jeans.
Habits: Attracts females via his impossibly charming accent and the ability to transform out-of-date machismo into charming banter.
Field Notes: You could grow tired of the SF’s Vespa and chest hair. But he makes you feel like a lady, drives exes mad with jealousy, and delivers capital-R romance. If he’s not a cad, just say oui.
5. The Hobbyist
Plumage: More identifiable by his hobby than his physical appearance, this guy inspires your girlfriends to refer to him as the Beekeeper, the Racquetballer, etc.
Behavior: He’s incredibly loyal, friendly, and talkative, though most of his anecdotes will appeal only to fellow hobbyists. To you, it may sound like he’s speaking another language.
Field Notes: You have two choices here: Familiarize yourself with his passion and join in the fun, or give the guy loads of space and time (maybe even a wall on which to display his trophies) and cultivate your own obsessive pastime.
6. The Workaholic
Plumage: His wardrobe costs more than yours.
Behavior: He asserts his manhood through a maniacal desire to make money. Works a 90-hour week and is never without his BlackBerry.
Habits: Courts you by buying you jewelry no sane woman would refuse.
Field Notes: It can be hard to tell whether there’s a real guy behind the money clip, so here’s a litmus test: If he sleeps on an Aerobed without complaint at your parents’ home, he’s legit. If, on the other hand, he wakes up cranky and checks into a hotel, he’s not The One.
7. The Pickup Artist
Plumage: First you’re impressed by his fashion sense and perfect hair. Then you notice the shark tooth necklace and…is that a manicure?! Red flag!
Habits: He’s a disciple of pickup manuals like “The Game” and prepares for a date like a general plotting a battle.
Field Notes: Remember that, to him, dating is sport. You’re like Mount Everest in heels, a test of his manhood. To win him over for real, you’ll have to be his equal. Beat him at his own game and call him out on his tactics.
8. The Surfer Boy
Plumage: With a glow like the last day of summer vacation, the Surfer Boy is one of nature’s great gifts to women. His sun-bleached hair, perfect body squeezed into a vintage tee, and ability to walk barefoot are, at times, awe-inspiring.
Behavior: He overuses the words rad and gnarly. He shies away from anything resembling an actual job. He spends half the year in Tahiti…or something. But seriously: Have you seen this guy?
Field Notes: The Surfer Boy might not be husband material, but he’s super positive and fun. A few flirtatious months together can be a life-affirmingly carefree experience.
9. The Cowboy
Behavior: The Cowboy builds muscle roping steer, hitting the gym, and doing physically intensive weekend projects. He’s proud and traditional, and can wear a belt buckle like nobody’s business. Note: Do not confuse him with the Suburban Cowboy, who, despite having never actually ridden a horse, dresses the part and enjoys grilling meat and yelling at the TV. Avoid.
Habits: Rest assured, ladies, his rugged individualism extends to the romance department.
Field Notes: He may not be quick to share his emotions, but the Cowboy is an all-around good dude with a lot of love to give. Giddyup!
10. The Life Coach
Behavior: Like Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady,” the Life Coach makes it his personal mission to “improve” the woman he’s dating.
Habits: He prefers young and impressionable women, and he takes a mate under his wing using a mixture of hints, tips, and passive-aggressive suggestions. Whatever you’re doing, this guy knows a much better way to do it.
Field Notes: The Life Coach may seem sophisticated (he might even remind you of that college professor you always had a thing for), but the bottom line is that this guy feeds off controlling you. You’re too good for that!
11. The Passionista
Plumage: Whatever he’s doing, the Passionista dresses the part. His gear is always first-rate, and he always looks great, whether he’s hunting big game or attending the opera.
Behavior: His joie de vivre is enthralling — and exhausting. He’s into extreme sports, fine food, and high culture. He’s never tired and is up for anything, anytime.
Habits: This type’s exploits aren’t designed to attract women, but who can resist a guy whose desktop image shows him BASE jumping inside the Grand Canyon?
Field Notes: His zest for life may overwhelm you, but the Passionista is downright magnetic.
12. Mr. Jealous
Behavior: At first, Mr. Jealous comes off as normal, attractive, and well-groomed. You can’t believe this guy isn’t married! But eventually certain traits that seemed cute at first (he calls you every five minutes) start feeling…weird.
Field Notes: Mr. Jealous dates women like the CIA monitors terrorist activity! He casts a net of surveillance, grows suspicious of any male you encounter, and is known to hack into your email. Your relationship will devolve into a constant effort to prove you aren’t doing anything wrong, until you finally dump him.
13. The Sensitive Rocker
Plumage: His wardrobe has been culled from the finest Goodwill stores around the country. And yet he wears $300 retro sneakers. Has been spotted wearing a leather jacket in July.
Behavior: Sweet and introspective, this guy can pick up more girls than a high school quarterback in Texas. (And he sings!)
Field Notes: The very sensitivity you love him for can make him a bit…touchy. Major warning: If he’s an actual singer, like one who goes on tour, you heard it here: Groupies are real.
14. Mr. Selective Memory
Behavior: So nice, so charming, so perfect. Oh, but he forgot to mention his girlfriend. Or that, you know, he’s about to move to Alaska for work.
Habitat: Mr. Selective Memory can be found anywhere — at the office, at school, sipping green tea at the coffee shop — which is what makes him such a dangerous species of dude.
Field Notes: He might seem OK at first, but dating Mr. Selective Memory will only lead to heartache. At the first sign he’s not being totally honest with you, run!
15. Mr. Right
Plumage: He has no set look, dress, body type, or style. Mr. Right can take on the form of any man, so attempt to stay at least a little open-minded.
Behavior: Startling truth: For all of Mr. Right’s life, he may have been in one of the previous categories. To everyone else in the world, he may still be.
Habits: He has no act, no game. He calls when he says he will, focuses on your needs, and is basically the coolest, nicest person you’ve ever met.
Field Notes: The most elusive of men, Mr. Right is difficult to locate but well worth the effort. Many women settle before finding him, so go out with your friends, be yourself, and he will appear. Mazel tov.
(credit to Dating 101: Your Field Guide to Guys)
