What is the way to a man's heart....?

They say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach but I'm beginning to think it's through being a complete and utter bitch! It never fails to amaze me how so many men are attracted to women wth the moral standards of Cruella Da Vil and the destructive narcissism of Alexis Carrington! Why is being treated like dirt  such a turn on for our male counterparts? Is it the dominatrix undertones that leads them in to thinking they are guaranteed great sex? Do the harsh words, constant put downs and temper tantrums that they are subjected to, uncover a deep rooted neediness first planted there by those men's overbearing suffocating mothers?

I recently enjoyed a lovely evening at a friend's dinner party. Two of the couples I had never met before and both seemed very pleasant and pretty normal at first. However, as the evening wore on it became increasingly noticeble that one of the couples had a Jessica and Roger Rabbit set up. He appeared to be a really nice genuine young man who behaved completely  lovingly towards the object of his affections. However, to my horror the obviously smitten guy was frequently referred to by his so called "sweetheart" as a tosser and a twat!  She swore at him constantly and even made threatening gestures with her arms that she was very capable of punchng the living daylights out of him!

This is just one example of many I have heard and witnessed over time. Like the very wealthy older man who lavishes gifts and holidays on a very undeserving woman who in return keeps him hidden from family and friends and will not be seen in public with him because of his age.  In addition she has made no secret that he is a "stepping stone" until someone better comes along. Why does he accept this treatment? Is he just grateful that he's got someone!??Or the young father who stays at home looking after his child while young  mum is out partying and enjoying the wanted attention from other men. He idolises her and showers her with a seemingly neverending supply of love and devotion and forgives her every indescretion. Their relationship is on and off more frequently than a flashing light...currently it's off!

Okay so these guys obviously allow themselves to be walked all over and a relationship of mutual kindness, loyalty and respect serves no purpose in their masochistic love lives. Treat them mean, keep then keen catches your man, reels him in and keeps him hanging on your line. Is this where I've been going wrong all these years? Do I then, therefore, have to stamp my feet, scream & shout and verbally abuse my way through a relationship in order to keep my man? Well it all sounds very exhausting to me and not much fun...I'd rather stay single!