How he sizes up your potential: this is the way he decides if you have what it takes for the long-term. (His Point Of View).(Brief Article)

* The prospect of swapping rings likely wasn't in the forefront of his mind when you first popped into his universe. But if you've dated long enough to reach girlfriend status, trust me: You are a candidate for commitment. And he's judging whether you really are a keeper by focusing on a few key details in your relationship. If you aren't up to snuff in these critical areas, you may be history before you even get a chance to stash a box of tampons in his bathroom.

your open-mindedness

There are undoubtedly certain things he clings to that you deeply, deeply hate: like his horrid black "leather" couch or his Pamela Anderson calendar. So although guys want a girlfriend who'll make us a better man, we don't want one who insists we get rid of every quirk that makes our life ... well, our life. "If she can't deal with something I like that's totally harmless, it makes me realize she's too rigid to go the distance with," says Matt *, 26. No, this doesn't mean you should pretend to love his profane bumper-sticker collection; it means you should accept his (sketchy) decisions after expressing your opinion.

your erotic enthusiasm

If you're not gung-ho about going for the gold in the mattress Olympics now, it's a fiery-red warning sign that things could get damn stale down the road. "Maybe it's all the whining of our married buddies, but we get the notion that sex usually goes downhill fast when you're a long-term couple," says Jeff, 30. So what we're searching for is a woman who loves sex in all its spicy varieties ... and in ample doses, just as we do. We know she's out there, and we won't rest until we find her.

how you argue

If you don't fight lair, it's a heads-up that getting past serious problems with you will be brutal. Say you hit below the belt, won't compromise, or sulk like a supermodel with a blister--we're gonna make an exit plan swiftly. Knowing how to forgive and forget minor tiffs, on the other hand, is a sign to us that we've struck girlfriend gold. "I ...