Sowetan, May 24, 2010, Monday

Sowetan

May 24, 2010, Monday

Sowetan

Why it’s better to date a poor guy

It’s every girl’s fantasy to be swept off their feet by a rich handsome guy, but money can’t make you happy. Right, girl?

Scientists say men with lean bank accounts are emotionally available, faithful and better in bed.

They say the problem with rich guys is that they think that their money is a magic wand that will keep you warm in bed and give you babies!

Girls, sure, being on the arm of a rich guy will land you on the best seats in a restaurant or a bar and when walking into a shoe shop you don’t have to look at the price tag. Dating affluent associates also enhances self-esteem. You’ll feel privileged you were the chosen one.

But if we have gleaned anything from Ralph Zikalala and Zandile Nhlapho, Khanyi Mbau and Mandla Mthembu, Hershelle Gibbs and Tenielle’s sagas , it’s that dating a rich dude comes with its share of headaches and heartaches.

And besides, rich men are often looking for a “trophy girl”.

Fair enough, poor guys have their own disadvantages – like having to listen to all his money worries and a list of his bills for weeks on end but www.womenshealthmag.com gives you reasons you should give a poor guy a chance:

He’s more likely to be faithful

When Tiger Woods apologized, he implied that he felt entitled by his success to have affairs. He’s not alone. Not only does research show that lower-income guys are less likely to stray, but scientists also found that wealthy men are hypocrites about cheating.

“People in higher positions are more likely to cheat, yet they condemn others who do it because having money and power evokes entitled feelings,” says a study author.

He’ll charm your friends

Men who are low- and middle- income earners are more polite than wealthy guys when they meet new people, reports the journal Psychological Science.

When study authors watched rich and poor guys get acquainted with strangers, the less well-off men talked and laughed more and made more eye contact than the rich, who exhibited rude behaviour such as fidgeting, doodling ... even fixing their hair!

“Men with less money try harder socially because making connections is a survival skill – and rich men may subconsciously believe they don’t need it,” says Dacher Keltner , author of Born to Be Good.

He’ll champion your ambitions

Research published in the Journal of Applied Psychology says that successful men can be more sexist than their lesser-paid counterparts. This is likely because they’re usually alpha males who feel it’s a “man’s duty” to provide, says Beth Livingston , an assistant professor of human resources at Cornell University.

Conversely, poorer men are often more supportive of their partners’ careers.
“Couples who encourage each other to fulfill their professional dreams tend to be happier,” says Joshua Coleman , author of Marriage Makeover.

Sex will sizzle

A guy with lighter pockets will try to wow you in bed, says Bethany Marshall , author of Deal Breakers.

“A man will use all of his resources to win a woman’s heart . And if he can’t afford fancy dates, he’ll often aim to excel in the bedroom.”