This advice probably would have been great for me back in high school...but I really already learned that lesson the hard way, just like everyone else. I understand it on a level, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. That's why I deal with that truth by preferring being single rather than changing who I am.

I'll explain why, and it really has nothing to do with conforming to the expectations of the stereotypical "sensitive relationship guy:"
In general, the people I most want to be around are the kind who are completely trustworthy (in the morally consistent sense) and do the right thing just because it's right...in addition to treating people right because they care about them, as well. Not everyone really measures up to the first standard, but I like people who at least try.
Now, I'm not just referring to romantic relationships - I'm referring to interpersonal relationships in general! I don't have any interest in seeking out a friendship with an untrustworthy person, nor do I have any interest in seeking out a friendship with someone who won't really give a damn about me. Neither really seem like worthwhile endeavors.
Now, I mentioned a lot of other stuff about wanting someone who doesn't play games with people: The fact is, if anyone I care about (anyone - male or female friend, family member, or a girlfriend) really wants to manipulate me into doing something for them, they'll find it's pretty easy, at least for a while. Why is this? I'd bend over backwards for pretty much
anyone I care about, because that's just who I am. It just feels like the right thing to do, and unless there's some particularly compelling reason why it would majorly inconvenience me, I'm not going to turn someone down when they ask something of me. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt that they'll appreciate it, and so I'll oblige without hesitation. This could be something as little as doing some chore (and I want to make sure I pull my weight as well, because more than anything, I don't want to take advantage of someone else), or it could be some larger favor. In any case, it's not really a problem in my daily life, because the people I love and care about tend to know and appreciate the way I'm there for them...and besides, just about all of them would bend over backwards for me as well (and/or already have).
Honest, up-front people are the kind of people I like to be around in general. If someone made a habit of taking advantage of me, I'd eventually catch on and be pretty pissed off about it. I'm accomodating when I think people are being reasonable, but that doesn't mean I'm a whipping boy or okay with being walked over. Sometimes it can take a while before you recognize someone's being unreasonable and taking advantage of you though, and until that becomes clear, I'm personally the type that likes to give people I care about the benefit of the doubt.
However, there's an annoying snag here when we make the switch over to "romantic relationship" territory: Although I'm a flexible, accomodating, and helpful guy in general, that's somehow a no-no in romantic relationships.

Most women apparently see that as a sign of weakness in a boyfriend, either on the subconscious instinctive level or on the conscious, manipulative level. Because most women are instinctively seeking out that strong, dominant, take-no-shit-from-anyone mate, it's like they're always sniffing out vulnerabilities in a guy, like some kind of treacherous serpentine predator waiting for the right moment to strike the killing blow.

All of a sudden, if I want to be with that kind of woman (and the whole point is, I DON'T), I have to purposely and uncharacteristically act less accomodating towards her than I would towards anyone else...otherwise, what I consider common courtesy is something she'll see as a sign of weakness. I guess there are two basic types of such women here:
- The first type desires a dominant man and wants to assume a submissive role. If her boyfriend isn't enough of an alpha, she'll get confused, lose interest, and move on, possibly without really understanding why.
- The second type desires a dominant man and wants to assume a submissive role, too...but if she notices a man isn't particularly dominant, she'll take complete charge and assume the dominant role - but in an abusive and sneaky way - and take advantage of him for a while just because she can. This kind of woman is formally known as a "total bitch with no conscience," or "manipulative leech," and the only reason she'll ever treat someone right is because the other person forces her to.
Because it seems ridiculous and unnatural for me to
purposely act less accomodating in a romantic relationship out of fear of losing the relationship, I'd rather just say, "Screw those kinds of women," especially the latter...but really the former as well. Still, it's depressing that some guys are literally expected to change their basic personality types to fit into some predetermined role, merely because most women approach their romantic relationships like dogs approach pack relationships...with primitive dynamics of dominance as a priority.

Besides, changing your entire personality or faking an alternate personality just to be with someone isn't exactly a healthy way to go about things, and in the ways that count, it's a much weaker, less confident, and more emotionally dependent kind of behavior. Seriously, what kind of confident manly man changes his basic personality to please his girlfriend anyway? There's a catch 22 here.
Seriously, is it truly so unusual to want to be with an considerate, accomodating human being, who treats you like a human being rather than solely as a gender role and appreciates your natural tendency to be accomodating as well? Is it really impossible to have a romantic relationship with relatively equal power dynamics, where nobody actually feels a consistent need to dominate or be dominated (or "test" and evaluate the other's dominance)? Surely I'm not the only person who wants some balance! I sure as hell don't want to be dominated or take anyone's shit, and I'll stick up for myself when I notice it needs to be done, but at the same time, I consider it a huge waste of effort and authenticity to purposely go out of my way to act dominant for the sake of keeping a relationship based on a lie.
Make more sense?