We are all attracted to certain types of men. It could be men with a particular eye color, a similar build, men who have a familiar hobby, and even men who talk a certain way. More than likely, though, we are attracted to men who have something in common with our fathers or the positive male figures in our lives
Whether we want to admit it or not, we are attracted to men who, however slightly, remind us of dad. According to the Daily Mail, women are more likely to choose a mate with the same or similar eye and hair color as their dad. The reasons given for this are varied. We choose men that remind us of dad because they are comforting and familiar to us. It may also be biological: your father was successful at breeding so you are biologically attracted to men with similar characteristics. Whatever the true reason, women are similar to men in that we subconsciously choose a mate who is similar to the parent of the same sex we seek out in a mate.
If you were never close to your father, you may have had a substitute dad, like an uncle or a stepfather who played the role of the male figure in your life. In this case, you will be attracted to men who are similar to that uncle or stepdad.
15 Mom Adores Him
You bring your boyfriend over to meet your parents and your mom instantly adores him. That is because he is a keeper, in her eyes, and he is familiar to her. She has been with your dad all these years and she feels that your new boyfriend is just like your dad: a faithful, lifelong friend. It is a cute moment and it sure beats bringing home someone she immediately despises.
14 The Way He Smells
Our sense of smell can trigger long, forgotten memories and help create new ones. For the same reason, some men have a smell that you are instantly drawn to. You could call it pheromones, but it may just be that his scent reminds you of your dad. It could also be his soap or his cologne which is the same stuff your dad uses or has the same fragrant undertones. It doesn’t matter what is triggering your nose, if he has that right smell, you won’t be able to keep yourself away from him.
13 Similar Hobbies
As you get to know your boyfriend, you will also get to know his hobbies. Some guys like to keep their hobbies secret and they will only reveal them over time. As you discover your boyfriend’s hobbies, you may notice similarities between his hobbies and your dad’s hobbies. For instance, your dad likes to make furniture out of wood. Your boyfriend, it turns out, collects free wood pallets and makes some pretty neat things out of them. They are both into making things out of wood and you kind of like the similarity.
12 Crack the Same Jokes
Dad tells the worst jokes. Every time you sit down at the table and pick up a fork with your left hand, your dad says, “You’re not right, are you?” No, dad. For the thousandth time, I am a left hander. Sure enough, your boyfriend also cracks lefty jokes that make you want to groan from the shear pain of having ears to hear it. But, despite your groaning, the jokes are rather charming and, above all else, familiar and safe. You wouldn’t give up the bad jokes for anything, but you will never let them know that, will you?
11 They Both Know How to Annoy You
Dad always could get your dander up when you were little. He knew what to say to set you into a mad panic and, now that you are both much older, he knows just how to annoy you into a teeth grinding growl. He does it on purpose, too, just to see if you are still paying attention to dear old dad. Your boyfriend does the same thing to you: he deliberately tries to tick you off just to see if you are paying attention. Get the two guys in a room together, and you are in for a world of trouble.
10 He is Older Than You
One of the biggest tip offs that you may be dating your dad is if you are dating a much older man. Some women gravitate towards men who are ten to twenty years older than them simply because they feel safer with an older man. The reason for feeling safer is that they equate the older man with being their father: safe, reliable, trustworthy, and comforting. As long as the younger woman is a consenting adult and neither one of them is already married, there is nothing wrong with this type of relationship. It can be psychologically beneficial to both of them.
9 Insists You Eat Healthy
You and your boyfriend stop at a convenience store to grab a few snacks for the long car ride. You are instantly drawn to the terrific selection of candy bars. As you stand there, in mid drool, your boyfriend walks up beside you and points out the healthier snacks in the next row and then he waits there until you follow him over to the “good” stuff. Just like your dad, he is worried about your health and wants you to eat well. This can easily be annoying, but you remind yourself that he is just looking out for you. Make a deal with him. You will each grab something healthy and one unhealthy item for the trip.
8 Tries to Be the Handyman
Oh geez. You roll your eyes. Your boyfriend’s got his tools out and is under the bathroom sink. The last time he tried to fix something, the dishwasher leaked out across the kitchen floor. Your dad is the same way. He means well and wants to fix things, but your mom stands over him, phone and phonebook in hand, ready to call the repairman. Some men have this primal urge to fix things around the house. Sometimes they get it right and that is awesome. Other times, it is a complete disaster. Just be happy that, like dad, he wants to be the go-to man around the house. It’s all a part of his charm.
7 His Eyes
Dreamy. Bright. Intriguing. Dangerous. His eyes say it all. You could stare into their depths for hours, but you might want to take a break and go remind yourself of your dad’s eye color. Women are often attracted to men who have the same eye color as their dad. It is the same with hair color. If your dad has brown hair, you will probably be attracted to men with brown hair, too.
6 Insists on Paying for Everything, Always
You have a job, you have your own money, and yet your boyfriend insists on paying for everything. When you take a moment and think about it, he is doing exactly what your dad used to do for you. In fact, when you go out with your dad, he still insists on paying for everything for you. Men do this to make us feel special and to show us that they can provide for us. Our fathers provided for us (or should have) and now you have met a wonderful boyfriend who genuinely wants to take care of you. It’s a bit traditional, but also sweet.
5 You Feel Safe Sharing Secrets
It is night. The lights are out and the two of you are snuggled up in bed, arm in arm. He runs his fingers through your hair and you have never felt so relaxed. The two of you begin to talk about the past, hopes for the future, and you share your secrets with him, even the silly ones from when you were 13 years old. You feel safe and certain that he will never reveal your secrets to anyone else. It is kind of like that night you and your dad were sitting by the campfire and you told him about the girl who made fun of you in school and your fear of looking like a total dork when you have to get on stage to sing for choir. Dad was on your side then, just like your boyfriend is now.
4 Looks Like a Young Version of Dad
It is time to get mom to dig out the old photos of dad. You know, the ones where he was actually young and didn’t have the dad belly. If you think you have found your soul mate, he more than likely resembles your father in his youth. While you are at it, you should have your boyfriend show you a picture of his mom when she was your age. If there are any similarities between you and his mom, you can bet your bottom dollar that Mr. Boyfriend thinks he has found his woman to be.
3 He is Overprotective
The two of you are at the huge, yearly used book convention and there are people everywhere. Everyone is getting pushed and shoved to get to their favorite used books being sold at rock bottom prices. You move to get into the action and your boyfriend automatically puts an arm around you and protects you from getting shoved about. He wants to protect you from getting hurt, just like dad did when you were growing up. It’s comforting to know he’s got your back as you dig through the piles of softcover mystery books begging to be bought.
2 Actually Cares About Your Future
You have been thinking about going back to college and finishing off your degree. Your previous boyfriend was against it because it would cost too much money, but your new boyfriend is all for it. He encourages you to work for a better future and is actively improving his future, as well. What a dream come true! But isn’t that kind of like your dad? You dad wanted you to have the best future possible and he also planned for the future, your future, while you were growing up.
1 He Reminds Dad of Younger Self
“You know,” your dad tells your boyfriend, “when I was a young man, I did the exact same thing. You remind me of myself when I was your age.” And there you have have, straight from the horse’s mouth: you are dating your dad. It didn’t take a crystal ball to figure it out and science had nothing to do with it. Dad just knows that he likes this guy because he is just like he used to be. Now dad feels safe and secure that you have found the right man.
Sources: elitedaily.com, dailymail.co.uk, match.com
