What are the five things men crave for?

Answer 1

1. Unexpected Touches

It's the greatest thing. We pop put of the shower in the morning and as you shuffle past us, you hit us with a peck on the the back of the neck. While freshly brewed coffee is pretty darn good, your gentle peck is really the best part of waking up. Yes it's true: The slightest touch from you can bring a man to his knees in mid-sentence. "Once I was rambling on and on about some problem at work when my wife reached over and touched my nose," says Richard Menecci, 33. "Then she gently traced the outline of my face with her finger and as I looked into her eyes, my stress vanished. All I could think about was that I have the most wonderful wife in the world. She didn't say a word; she just gave a little touch." Even those quick bicep rubs when we get back from the gym, or those errant shoulder squeezes at the supermarket, can send your man over the moon. It's as if out of the blue, you were so overcome by our breathtaking cuteness that you just had to give us a cuddle. Who wouldn't love that.

And men adore your tender touch in the bedroom as well. Because contrary to popular belief, guys aren't just looking for fast-track orgasmic manoeuvres in the dark. They want and need, hot drawn-out nights of passion just as much as you do. Just ask Gary Brown, 31, who has been with his partner for three years. "Sure I like a spontaneous wild ride every now and again, but I love it when my girlfriend forces me to put on the brakes and take my time," he explains. "In those moments, nothing matters except making each other feel good." David Copeland, author of How To Succeed With Men, agrees. "Men love to have things slowed down against their will," he says. "It's a simple equation: More time engaged in pleasure equals more pleasure. And having the action drawn out builds the anticipation, so the payoff is even more amazing.

What are some moves guaranteed to drive him wild? "Sometimes my girlfriend kneels over me and lets her long, soft hair fall on my chest; then she slowly drags it all around my body," says Brown. "I could have been fired that day, my car could have been stolen, but when she does that there is nothing on my mind but her." 2. Ego Stroking

You know how pet trainers say you should pat your dog or cat on the head when they present you with a disgusting dead bird? This is kind of the same thing: Guys often feel the need to be the provider, the man of the house and whether we've succeeded in hanging a shelf or grilling a mean T-bone, we're in heaven when you give us that "You did a great job" kiss on the cheek. "More than anything, your man wants to feel as if he's your hero," says Copeland. "He wants to feel like an excellent provider and protector."

"This philosophy goes back to cavemen," he continues. "The guy who brought home the dead bear was the one whose family survived. When a guy is praised for doing a testosterone-fuelled task well, he feels worthy of your love." Sure you may be as skilled with a monkey wrench as your Handy Andy wannabe - if not more - but a heartfelt "Great job, babe" will put him on top of the world (even if all he did was screw in a light bulb). 3. Veg Time

You're both home from work. You're telling him about your day and he's barely grunting responses as he deals his 15th game of solitaire on the computer. What's going on here? Is he ignoring you because he's a self-absorbed, uncaring bastard? Not exactly: "The number one thing women don't understand about men is that sometimes they need time to space out," says Copeland. "That's just the way he's wired. It doesn't mean he doesn't want to spend time with you; it simply means he needs a few minutes to recharge." Ask Andrew Coppa, 33, who owns a Photography studio: "My job is fast-paced, so I need 15 minutes or so to decompress when I come home. If my wife tries to talk to me right away, it's as if my brain is so fried that it can't take in additional information. Once I zone out in front of the TV or eat a snack, then I'm revived and ready to converse like a real human."

And guys don't crave these do-nothing moments only after work. We absolutely love it when you understand this admittedly bizarre behaviour and leave us to our own devices as we pound peanuts and watch the game on the occasional Sunday or alphabetize our CD's after dinner. And if you want in on a little secret: This is the perfect opportunity to strike a deal with us to get your own veg time. Want half an hour ro yourself to read a magazine or soak in the tub after work? You got it. Just promise us you won't bring up refinancing the mortgage come kick-off time on Sunday.

4. Fashion Policing and Ogling

Why do we want to wear our favourite 10-year old T-shirt out tonight? Because we think it's cool and irreverent. Little do we realise that it makes us look like crap. As much as we hate to admit it, we desperately need your fashion help. And we're super grateful when you give us a clue without sounding like our mum. How? "Tackle the subject in a calm, non-judgmental way, pointing out why a certain pair of pants, say doesn't go with those shoes," offers Alon Gratch, psychologist and author of If Men Could Talk: Translating The Secret Language of Men.

Another sneaky strategy: Compliment him like crazy when he's pulled together a decent outfit, says Gratch. That gives him something concrete to build on. Guys also apprciate it when you find an ego-sparing way to critique their clothes, says Julian Mathis, 28, a father of two. "My wife Keenya, never acts as if she's concerned that I'm going to embarrass her," he says. "It comes across as, 'I'm trying to help you.' Or she'll point out someone who we laughed about in the mall who was dressed in a similar way: That's usually enough to make me toss out the offending articles.

Of course stroking his ego can be the smartest approach of all. If you tell your husband, "That outfit is nice, but you look so hot when you wear the black pants with the grey shirt," it practically guarantees he will peel off whatever mismatched monstrosity he has wrapped himself in and will hop into the ensemble of your choosing.

As far as OGLING, no matter how big it may have been in the past few years, we desperately hope to catch you checking out our ass.

So do your guy a huge favour and treat him like a piece of meat more often. Look him up and down, whistle as he walks by, make purring noises when he rolls out of bed - anything. Think if it as our favourite form of flattery. 5. You Laughing (with us and even at us)

There is only one thing guys dread more than losing their hair: losing their sense of humour. Without it we are, well, our dads. Nothing makes us happier than when you help us remember that life isn't just about making the mortgage repayments and picking up the car at the garage. As you probably know, men relate to their male friends with a never-ending series of one-liners from such ground breaking films as Theres Something About Mary and American Pie. But why should that fun be limited to our guy friends? We love to laugh and goof around with you, our best friend, just as much. Even when you do something as simple as call to share a funny inside joke or forward a hilarious email, it can make us inexplicably happy.

And if you really want to thrill your man, treat him like your own personal Jerry Seinfield. See all guys secretly strive to be the funniest guy in the room and cracking up gives them the ultimate high. Dan Galvez, 29, a father of three, agrees: "When we're out with friends, my wife will start telling a story about something funny that happened to us, then stop and say, 'Dan you tell them, you tell it much funnier.' It's a total ego boost, as silly as that may seem."

Yes your giggles are gold to your guy, so crack up whenever you get the chance. Except of course when he's naked. Then the snickering isn't quite so appreciated. But seriously, we love putting a smile on your face, because what a man wants more than anything is to know that he makes you the happiest woman on earth.