Choosing A Man, Like Choosing a Car?

Since LuvemOrLeavem is centered around women at a crossroads in their relationships, it is always interesting to see what features of the relationship bring women to this point. So just for fun, if men were cars which ones would you want to be driving around with and which ones would you leave on the car lot. And most importantly, would these be your choices if you planned to drive around in that same car for the rest of you life?

Standard Features- Just like breaks and an engine, these are qualities like trust, respect and love. If these aren't standard in the model you're considering, move on to the next row.

Appearance- Does it have to be shiny and flawless or can you accept a few dings? Nothing and no one can stay flawless over time, so if this is on your list of critical items you will probably be looking to "trade in" after a few years.

Reliability- Just how reliable does it/ he need to be? Can you be happy with 60 or 70 percent, or do you need at least 90 percent reliability? Of course this is closely tied to 2 factors:

1. Your reaction- If you're stranded will you find another way to get there or will you kick it and complain but let it keep you from your plans?
   
2. Where it strands you- There is a big difference between breaking down in your driveway or on the side of the highway, just like there is a big difference between him canceling on going to a movie or escorting you to your sister's wedding.

Annoyances- At first that clunking sound might not bother you just like his tendency to be a slob. Over time will it become a sound that you don't even notice or will it stand out so much that you can't drown it out with the radio?

Options- These are fun features and they are must haves that are different for every woman. In a car it may be that a six CD changer is more important than a sunroof, or in a man it may be that a sense of humor is more important than a romantic nature. Just like a car, if there are too many options that you "just can't live without" you will find that there will be few if any cars on the lot that will make you happy.

So when choosing a man for the long term, there are a lot of lessons that we can learn from the way we would choose a car. Make sure you distinguish between options and standard features and choose them wisely. If you can't find the right one, just keep looking eventually the right deal will come along.

*Car photo by David Niblack