Whether her actions are blatantly visible or tactfully discrete, familiarity with the characteristics of a maneater will help in spotting one instantly. The male equivalent, often referred to as a player, is praised and envied. When a woman mirrors the moves of a player, she is regularly begrudged by women and loathed by men – merely because they cannot have her. Ever since Nelly Furtado’s release of the notable hit Maneater in 2006, I’ve been fascinated by the woman that "you wish you never ever met her at all." After understanding the characteristics of a maneater, you’ll know when you’re in the presence of one and even how to mimic her if that’s your desire!
1. Calls the Shots
Of all the characteristics of a maneater, bossiness is never absent. She makes the decisions according to her own time and needs leaving the man utterly powerless. A maneater rarely initiates contact, and when called or texted, she chooses if the man’s worthy of her time before responding. Meetings occur if, where, and when she wants. Her attention is so difficult to grasp that, to a man, it’s disguised as a reward. If he fails to see things her way, he quickly returns to her list of nobodies.
A maneater is a woman who is very controlling and demanding in a relationship. She is always the one making the decisions and doesn't allow her partner to have any say in what goes on. She is also very elusive and hard to get ahold of, making her partner feel like he is constantly chasing after her. If he doesn't do things her way, she will quickly cut him off and move on to someone else.
2. Never Impressed
When a man no longer considers fulfilling a women’s wishes a challenge, he will begin to lose interest. While avoiding acting repulsed, she will instead act unmoved by his attempts at impressing her. His natural response is to try harder because he’s failed to measure up to men she is used to. Although she may tender a "thank you" and reward him here and there, she will always give the impression that his efforts could be better – in order to conspicuously abolish his ego. If she and the man are sexually active, she’ll use this as a leverage. For all the things he does for her, he earns a rightfully deserved sexual encounter – and more importantly, scarcely rare.
Men are naturally attracted to women who are challenging and who seem unattainable. When a man feels that he has finally won a woman over and she is no longer a challenge, he will lose interest. The best way to keep a man's interest is to keep him guessing and to always appear slightly out of reach. Even if a man is actively pursuing a woman, she should make him feel as though he is not quite good enough and that he still has to work for her approval. This will keep him motivated and interested in the relationship. If a man is only interested in a woman for her sexual favors, she can use this to her advantage by withholding sex until he has done something to earn it. This will ensure that he remains attentive and focused on her needs.
3. Disappears from the Face of the Earth
Every maneater has a knack for the disappearing act. A woman’s absence makes a man yearn for the slightest speck of attention. He’ll wonder for days what he did wrong, who replaced him, and if he’ll ever get her back. Undermining his confidence will only inflate hers because she’s succeeded at making him feel lame. This will cause the man to try millenniums harder to please her if she ever gives him the chance. Whether her disappearance lasts a few days or even months, he will be severely impacted by it.
4. Multiple Victims at a Time
The most necessary attribute of a maneater is the refusal of developing feelings. Receiving attention from multiple men at a time makes it easier for her to resist the temptation of falling for one of them. While instilling the fear that she at any time may move on to another man, she will stress to each one that they are the only one. Men don’t like to share, and if the woman they are pursuing is associating with other men, they may lose interest. She’ll avoid posting evidence to social media and portraying PDA simply to keep her options open.
5. Avoids Relationships
Although a maneater may at some point surrender to caring for someone other than herself, she will then be considered retired. Maneaters consider solely their own feelings, not those of others. A girl whose boyfriend is constantly on his knees longing to please her can often be mistaken for a maneater, but unless she’s not committed or invested in the relationship at all, she is not one. Some girls are sneaky and engage in relationships, only that are advantageous to them, while continuing to fraternize with other men. Remember, a maneater’s goal is to lure a man into an obsession with her and spits him out. This is, of course, until she finds a man who does the same to her!
6. Everyone Envies Her Individuality
She is unique, confident, and has the attention of every person in the room – including women. To be a maneater, you must be unafraid of being alone and unaffected by other people’s opinions. She knows the importance of always appearing beautiful, fashionable, and desirable. She does her own thing and doesn’t take notice of her competition because, in her opinion, she has none. It is important to maintain the composure of being the girl everyone wants to be – not jealous, insecure, or competitive. If a guy doesn’t want her, she forgets him and finds one that does.
7. Guy’s Girl
A maneater is well versed in befriending men even if it is just as friends. She is accustomed to placing men in the friend zone because she only dates the best of the best. She’s used to watching the game, playing video games, and even shooting hoops with the guys. Men adore women that can be one of the guys. She exudes confidence while doing so and even uses this time to flirt around.
Maneating is a dangerous and not something you want to make a habit of! It can really come back to bite you in the butt, which is why it’s important to not be too heavily determined on mirroring these traits. Do you know a maneater, or are you one? Are there more characteristics you’d like to share?
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a maneater in dating terms?
- A maneater is a person who is seen as very confident in dating. They often date many people and sometimes might not care about other's feelings, focusing on their own desires.
- Can a maneater be a man or a woman?
- Yes, anyone can be considered a maneater, regardless of their gender.
- What's the first sign of a maneater?
- They often give off a very confident vibe and might seem to be very charming and flirty with lots of people.
- Do maneaters care about relationships?
- Many maneaters might not look for serious relationships and can be more interested in casual dating or short-term flings.
- How can you tell if someone is a maneater?
- They may have a history of dating lots of people and may not want to commit to a relationship or be responsible for other's feelings.
- Is being a maneater always a bad thing?
- Not necessarily. It depends on personal values and if they are honest with their intentions without hurting others.
- Can a maneater develop serious feelings for someone?
- Yes, it's possible. People can change, and a maneater might develop serious feelings for someone over time.
- What should I do if I don't want to get hurt by a maneater?
- Be cautious and protect your feelings. Communicate clearly about your expectations and be prepared to walk away if you're not comfortable with the situation.
- How do maneaters usually behave in a relationship?
- They may avoid deep emotional connections and responsibilities that come with a serious relationship, preferring to keep things light and fun.
- Can a friendship turn into something more with a maneater?
- It's possible, but one should be careful and not expect a maneater to change their behavior overnight. It's important to proceed with caution and clear communication.