Gossip Girl’s Dan Humphrey is Mr Nice Guy — he’s always there for Blair Waldorf whenever she needs him. But in the end, it’s the ambitious Chuck Bass who gets the girl. Much like real life, say these guys, who feel women today are more demanding than ever when it comes to choosing a partner. The pressure is on.
Bengaluru model Zainn says candidly, “It’s all good that women are working and earning, that they’re financially independent. But personally, in a relationship I’m the man so I wear the pants.” The need to ‘take care’ of your girlfriend or wife is instilled in men, he feels. “There’s nothing wrong if a woman is successful, but in my opinion a relationship can’t last very long unless he is more successful than her.”
Ajay Rao, an IT professional in Bengaluru adds, “My sister, who is an MBA insists on marrying a guy who earns more than her and I totally agree. Otherwise later there could be ego clashes and other issues.” Ajay states, “It’s better to be upfront about it and find out the job designation and pay package of prospective grooms. Personally, I wouldn’t feel very confident if my wife was earning more than me. We guys still adhere to the traditional role of being the provider and since women are no longer dependent on us, we have to work that much harder to be in that position.”
It’s not a negative trait to demand the best in a partner, feels Mumbai-based actor and TV host Gaurav Khanna. He says, “Girls today are just as successful as guys and if they want someone they can look up to, it does put pressure on guys to perform, but that’s the way it is. It’s a competitive world and even in the wild, only the toughest survive.” The actor adds, “It doesn’t always have to be about money. A girl could want someone who is more talented than her, for instance. Why not?”
Hyderabad-based DJ Asif opines, “Women today are not looking for a regular, salaried guy. Corporate clones are too boring.” He admits his job gets him the right profile as a partner. “I think people in the entertainment industry have a better chance, compared to an engineer, for instance. It’s all about being somebody, being a successful ‘personality’ that women are attracted to.”