Does being genuine actually matter in dating?
I’ve been thinking about this for a while and I’m genuinely curious about women’s perspectives on it.
As a guy, sometimes it feels like dating has become more about the impression you create than who you actually are. Some men are naturally more flashy, confident, socially polished, or good at presenting themselves, while others are just straightforward and show their real personality from the beginning.
I sometimes wonder whether the second type gets overlooked because the first impression isn't as impressive.
I also wonder about standards. Obviously, everyone has the right to have standards and decide what they want in a partner. But do you think social media, dating apps, and the way relationships are portrayed online have made those expectations somewhat unrealistic for some people?
And then there's the part I find interesting: sometimes someone can present themselves as extremely confident, successful, charming, etc., but later turn out to be completely different from that image. Yet the person who was simply honest and genuine from the start might not get the same attention.
For women who date men, how important is authenticity to you when you first meet someone?
Would you rather someone be completely themselves from the beginning, even if they're not particularly flashy or impressive at first, or does a strong first impression naturally matter more?
I'm not asking this because I think women should lower their standards or because I believe anyone is entitled to a relationship. I'm just genuinely curious about how women see this, especially in today's dating culture.