Radiating confidence, with a knack for the adventurous, some girls find they have a weakness for the rough and tough bad boy. In movies, past and present, the bad boy often fills the role of the sexy and hard-to-get hero. From John Travolta’s iconic character of Danny in “Grease,” to current Hollywood heartthrob Ryan Gosling’s role as a gangster in the upcoming film “Only God Forgives,” it is the bad boy that steals the show ... and the hearts of the female audience. But fantasizing about dating Gosling’s character and successfully dating a bad boy are two completely different tasks. Here are a few inside tips on what makes a bad boy so sexy and how to date one, without the expected heart break.

What Makes Him Attractive?

1. He Provides a Thrill: Bad boys don’t play by the rules and are constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to their daily, sometimes dangerous, activities. They not only bring a thrill to the relationship, but their “I don’t care” mantra also keeps girls constantly on the edge of their seats.

2. Bad is Sexy and Fun: He resists authority, dresses how he pleases and acts how he wants. His cool, calm and collected confidence is through the roof and can even be interpreted as cocky. Steve Santagati, author of "The Manual: A True Bad Boy Explains," and founder of the website Bad Boys Finish First, said that while these boys may look rough and tough on the outside, “Being ‘bad’ doesn’t mean you’re sleazy or evil, quite the opposite; it means you understand that life is about having fun, leading, not following and realizing that harmless mischief is an end in itself. It’s a twinkle in your eye that says, ‘I get it’ and I plan on using that knowledge to my advantage.”

3. Sense of Rebellion: Cindy Chupack, writer and executive producer of "Sex and the City,"  has dated multiple bad boys and even recently married one. Her rationale for doing so was that it gave her the sense of rebellion and the thought of a fantasy. Chupack said, “Bad boys are dessert. They’re like hot fudge sundaes. You know they’re not good for you ... but that doesn’t mean you won’t fantasize about it while you’re eating your mixed berries.”

How to Successfully Date One

Start Off Slow: While it may seem fun to go along with their fast-paced and unplanned decisions, take a step back and don’t be afraid to ‘push on the breaks.’ It could prevent one from getting into a relationship or a situation that is over their head.

Perfect Timing: Girls often hear that timing is everything. This is even true when it comes to dating a bad boy. Match.com love coach Lauren Frances states that “Bad Boys are perfect playmates for women who aren’t looking for a serious relationship.” So if one feels their dating life needs a little more excitement, don’t be afraid to give a bad boy a shot.

Don’t Be Afraid to Commit: They have the reputation of playing girls and not being able to settle down, but if he’s sending all the right signals and is committing to the relationship, don’t be afraid to let go and commit to him as well. “Bad boys have feelings and want to be happy and successful, too. They can be great boyfriends once they are ready to settle down or they find the right girl,” said Santagati.

By: Marina Tomao | Image: Source

Starting a new relationship can be tricky, especially if the new man of interest is recently single. A girl has to wonder, is investing in the relationship worth the effort? While he may be assuring you that he’s “totally over her,” there are many signs that tell if that’s really the truth. Every girl deserves a man who is 100 percent committed and interested in them, so to help better understand his feelings toward his ex, here are five signs that he may be still hanging on to a past relationship.

He Consistently Bad-Mouths Her: This is the middle school cliché of making fun of someone we’re attracted to. If he is frequently talking trash about his ex, it shows that he still holds strong emotions towards her. According to Dr. Wendy Walsh, author of "The 30-Day Love Detox," “Some guys have physically broken up, yet haven’t emotionally let go, and they stay connected through conflict ... if he is talking about the bad things she did in the past, he’s trying to remind himself that he’s not still in love with her -- because he is still in love with her.”

They Frequently Text: The majority of exes do not stay stay friends and they shouldn’t, unless there are emotions still keeping them together. While keeping in touch with the occasional e-mail or text can be healthy, his behavior should not be constant. Out of respect for his new relationship, he should keep his distance from past girlfriends.

He Keeps Their Photos: She was a part of his past, so obviously they have pictures and mementos of one another. But if pictures of her or keepsakes are clearly visible around his apartment or you catch him looking at them repeatedly, something is definitely off. It is okay to go down memory lane every once in awhile, but an attachment to these items could mean he isn’t ready to move on from the relationship.

He Gets Upset When She Starts Dating Again: While he may seem happy dating someone new, if the minute his ex goes off the market he’s jealous, it’s a telltale sign that his feelings for her have not ended. If he has truly moved on, why shouldn’t she be able to see someone new?

Her Name Comes up in Conversation: Getting to know about one another’s past is a crucial part of any relationship, but he should not bring up the ‘ex card’ unless he is specifically asked. If he brings it up in a conversation or starts to make comparisons, it is a sure red flag.

Before acts of jealousy enter the new relationship, sit down with your new BF and have an honest talk about his current feelings about the relationship and about his ex. If he is not fully committed to the relationship or his heart is still on the mend from the past, it might be best for both parties to let him fully heal before starting a relationship together.

By: Marina Tomao | Image: Source

It might seem like some girls are forever tied down by a relationship -- think Taylor Swift, who falls hard and fast. She’s been in over seven relationships in the last two years, and Taylor’s ex-boyfriends almost seem to overlap one another. Taylor falls under the category of a serial monogamist (SM), or someone who does not leave room to breathe and get over their exes in between relationships. By constantly changing who they date, serial monogamists are not learning how to develop their relationships by creating a deeper connection with their partner. Unfortunately, most girls do not even know they are a serial monogamist, so here are a few signs to look out for!


Forever Taken
The most obvious sign of a serial monogamist is that they chain date, meaning one of their relationships starts right where the previous ends. Their relationships don’t tend to be long-lasting, and the intensity progresses quickly -- almost entirely skipping puppy love, heading straight to serious.

From Hookup to Boyfriend
Each random hookup or quick fling quickly transitions to the guy being labeled as the boyfriend. Serial monogamists quickly become emotionally attached to boys when shown attention, often misinterpreting feelings of lust with feelings of love.

The Thought of Being Single is Scary
Do serial monogamists even know what being alone feels like? Many serial monogamists are afraid of what their life would be if they were single; they like the idea of the companionship, love and the constant flow of attention and affection. Psychologist and success coach Dr. Sam Von Reiche said, “fear of commitment and perfectionism play a large part in the serial monogamists thinking.”

Friends Do Not Take the Relationships Seriously
In most cases, girlfriends are always there to to listen to the juicy stories of a new relationship or give advice during the hard times, but the friends of a serial monogamist would rather talk about the weather than their friend’s new man. Since their boyfriends change as fast as their outfits, they think, “Why keep updated or invested in their relationship?”

While many people think girls who have relationship after relationship are lucky to quickly find love, the reality is, they are a serial monogamist. Recognizing the behavior of serial monogamy is the first step in making the change. Serial monogamists need to realize that finding Mr. Right can not be forced and that being single is not bad!

By: Marina Tomao | Images: 1, 2

Newly single and ready to mingle? After a breakup, it could feel as if the world turned upside down... but becoming single also presents a difficult personal question: is jumping into the dating world a possibility? Rebound dating can be seen in both positive and negative lights; consider these pros and cons to decide if it’s time to take the leap.


PROS

A Confidence Boost: After having the same boyfriend for some time, it is nice to know that the spark is still there. Rebound dating is an instant confidence boost, as it is a reassurance that you can still play the game. Sometimes after a tough breakup, all that’s needed is a little attention and an ego boost.

Getting Out There: Instead of sitting on the couch sulking over the loss of a boyfriend, going out and dating someone new prevents you from the moping stage of a breakup. Even if the relationship does not last long, at least you are back out in the dating game!

It Could Lead to Something Amazing: Dating after a breakup allows meeting new people that wouldn’t have even been noticed when preoccupied with a relationship. While a rebound relationship may not last forever, a new friendship could be made to last a lifetime.

CONS

No ‘Me’ Time: After Ex's part ways, a newfound freedom is gained, so why give another man time and affection? Being single presents the opportunity to rediscover one’s self and do it on personal time. After a long relationship, it could be beneficial to give the heart a little TLC and go on a dating detox.

Putting Feelings on the Back Burner: By jumping into a relationship, one could be avoiding to deal with the painful feelings from the last relationship. Regardless if these feelings are masked by the happiness of the new relationship, the dreaded feelings will have to be dealt with at some point.

People Get Hurt: While rebound dating can be enjoyable for the newly single, also take into consideration the person on the other end of this new relationship. Just because one person thinks of the relationship as a rebound does not mean the other does. Make sure both parties are on the same page so no one gets hurt.

To successfully rebound date, emotional stability is the key. Be aware of true feelings, treat the processes as healing and only start dating again if you feel emotionally ready.

By: Marina Tomao | Images: 1, 2

As yet another Valentine’s Day approaches, many find themselves questioning their plans for the infamous day of love. Whether one hates the holiday or impatiently counts down the days, there are plenty of ways to celebrate with or without a boyfriend.

Long-Term Relationship
As a long-term relationship couple who has been through one or two hectic holiday seasons, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to step away from the family and bring full focus on one another. Instead of opting for the cliché restaurant date, put a twist on the evening by making a romantic dinner for two. Pick entrèes that are typical picks, and start the night out by grocery shopping followed by preparing the dish together. Create a romantic restaurant setting by lighting candles, playing soft background music and dimming the lights. Being secluded in a house or dorm room will allow for a more intimate and romantic experience. End the night by cuddling up and watching a classic love story, such as "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" or "Love Actually."

Fresh Relationship
Plan a date night that infuses both romantic and fun for a exciting and memorable night that allows you to get to know each other better. Begin by going to dinner at a local restaurant. Don’t feel obligated to be overly romantic just because it is Valentine’s Day. After dinner, plan an activity such as bowling or ice skating. By choosing an activity, yet not inviting a group, it will be a personal environment but without all of the pressure to be romantic.

Single
Girls who are single can feel left out of Valentine’s Day, but it can be the perfect day to celebrate and embrace being independent and single. Don’t let being single prevent you from having a fancy dinner and exchanging gifts; go out with a bunch of single girlfriends. Instead, get dressed up and hit the local ‘hot spot’ for dinner and drinks. Joke about past boyfriends, hook-ups gone wrong and embarrassing dates; exchanging these moments will not only make great bonding topics with your girlfriends, but will provide great laughs to last the whole night. After dinner, go out dancing, and don’t try to impress anyone. Instead, let loose and be silly because it’s singles night!

By: Marina Tomao | Image: Source

There comes a point in every relationship where the dreaded fear of meeting the boyfriend’s friends becomes a reality. While the thought of it may seem intimidating at first, it does not have to be a traumatic event. With each personality, there is a different situation that can make the interaction as comfortable as possible.

The Introvert
As the shy, thoughtful type, meeting his friends could be extremely nerve-racking. To make the introduction as smooth as possible, meet at a local cafe or have a movie night at his dorm where you can bring girlfriends for support. While being in a public setting serves as a less intimate setting for really getting to know his pals, having friends present will ease any nerves and provide a quick getaway if the situation becomes uncomfortable. Spark the conversation with a neutral topic, such as school or local sports teams. Don’t be afraid to share an opinion.

The In-betweener
Having a mixed personality should make meeting his friends an exciting time! Get together at a recreational activity, such as trivia night or a game of basketball in the campus gym. These events mix intimate interaction with a fun distraction. Casually mingle with his friends. If the conversation doesn’t flow smoothly, the activity will provide the perfect go-to subject: the game.

The Extrovert
For those who love to meet new people, meeting his friends should be a long-awaited event! Go for a more intimate setting, like a small get-together with some of his friends. Not knowing any of his friends or other people at the party will present the opportunity to more intimately connect with his friends. Initiate a fun group game or karaoke -- there is no better way to be noticed than to become the life of the party. If up to the challenge, make an effort to personally get to know his close girlfriends; while it may seem intimidating at first, this bold move is a way to get noticed.

Regardless of personality, meeting his friends is a positive step in any relationship. Getting to know his friends will provide insight to your boyfriend on a different level and will provide more opportunities to hangout. Stay true to one’s self, keep an open mind and enjoy the experience.

By: Marina Tomao | Image: Source