His Wandering Eye. What Does It Mean?
Guys check out women regardless of their lovestage.
One of the classic complaints women have about men is the never-subtle wandering eye. Whether it's checking out the cute waitress, staring at the girl at the bar or even just the too-long glances at friends, men constantly seem to be checking out the females within eyesight. Most of these men whose eyes linger lustily don't actually want to make a move, but they do enjoy seeing a nice-looking woman (remember how visual men are?). Regardless, women never seem to enjoy watching their partner watch another pretty lady. Read: To Ogle or Not To Ogle
Well, complaining may be fruitless. Science Daily reports on a study showing that men who have a sexual partner are no less interested in looking at other women than men without a sexual partner. Women with a sexual partner, on the other hand, have far less interest in other men than those who do not have a mate. This was based on how long each participant looked at pictures of the opposite sex to determine attractiveness.
All of this can probably be traced back to some sort of evolutionary attraction thing, but in today's world, women might just have to accept the fact that men may always be giving a new female face a once-over. It doesn't have to mean that they don't love their partners. Likewise, women check men out, too. They're just more subtle.
This study's helpful for another reason. Just because your friend's husband/boss/insert-other-inappropriate-example-here gives you a stare doesn't necessarily make him a pig. A once-over and a wink? Well, that's a different story. Read: The Other Woman: What A Mistress Knows
Discussion
It's a hard thing to judge. Certainly plenty of guys are leering inside when they check out an attractive woman, but even more common I think is the less piggy, more appreciative look.
In many ways women are the best art in the world - every one's different, nearly all are beautiful one way or another - and unlike, say, interpretive dance, we're biologically geared to feel really good upon seeing them. If you walked past a shop window with a great painting in the window, you'd likely stop and take a look - immediately feeling better for no concrete reason. Same thing, it there's beauty around you, appreciate it - and if it's in the form of a person, just make sure you do it politely.
Plus, I couldn't turn off the part of my brain that makes sure I notice women, even if I wanted to. I just try to remember it's my responsibility to not appear creepy about it, since others may not always interpret my look correctly.
Gotta admit, I'm guilty of it. I try not to make it too much of a look, more a glance than anything else, but it doesn't take away from how I feel about my SO, sexy love that she is to me. On the flip side, I've caught other guys checking out who I'm with and it always kinda makes me chuckle. If my SO is comfortable enough then they have sometimes told me physical aspects they are attracted to, and I don't mind pointing out guys that fit the bill. We aren't dead, and we aren't looking for something else...just enjoying the physical beauty of the sex we are attracted to.
It can work in a positive way though. I remember a couple I once saw coming in to one of the malls here on island. They took a few moments discussing where they were going to meet up and when after they looked around in the stores they were going to go, then gave each other a quick kiss and split off. Then the best part happened. The guy took 2 steps and turned around to admire his wife's bottom as she walked away. He was all smiles and you could tell he had some happy thoughts on his mind, all about his wife, while he watched her walk away until she disappeared. This wasn't a young couple. They looked like they had probably been married for at least 10 years (not that I know them or could really tell...it was just the way it felt). Thats the kind of marriage I want.
