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16 Things a Woman Will Always Notice First About a Man and What They Really Mean

Updated on November 11, 2025 by TMM Staff · Dating & Confidence

Woman with long, dark hair talking to a man over a glass of red wine in a dimly lit restaurant
©cottonbro studio/Pexels.com

A woman doesn’t deliberately analyze every single thing when she meets a man for the first time. However, this doesn’t mean she doesn’t notice them either. She notices alright, from small things like his gaze to his body language and so on. These little things let a woman know everything there is to know about him, as a person and as a human. Women are inherently perceptive, and they are able to read signals that men inadvertently exude. Read on and learn about these things that women immediately notice about a man and what they imply.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • His Smile
  • His Eyes
  • His Posture
  • His Voice
  • His Level of Grooming
  • His Scent
  • His Shoes
  • His Hands
  • His Style
  • His Confidence
  • His Body Language
  • His Manners
  • His Sense of Humor
  • His Energy
  • His Conversation Style
  • His Hands-Off Respect
  • Final Thoughts

His Smile

Black and white photo of a smiling young man with curly hair and a mustache, sitting outdoors with a woman beside him.
©Nicholas Jeffries

Women are able to tell when a man is being genuine or disingenuous simply by his smile. They can sense the warmth of a sincere smile as opposed to one that exudes arrogance or pretentiousness. A genuine smile shows that a man is emotionally available and open. 

His Eyes

Close-up of a person's eyes, with greenish irises and sunlight casting a shadow across the face.
©Nastia Petrul/Unsplash.com

Women are able to notice the level of confidence a man embodies by his eyes. If he maintains eye contact, then this means he is sincere and confident. However, furtive eyes indicate insecurity, inconsistency, and an aversion to commitment.

His Posture

A man in black swim trunks standing beside a turquoise swimming pool in a lush, tropical setting.
©Antonio Araujo/Unsplash.com

A man’s posture speaks a lot about his confidence and self-value. A man who stands upright with relaxed shoulders is considered self-assured and confident. On the other hand, a person with a slouched, dumpy posture shows that he has low energy and potentially evinces a pessimistic mindset. 

His Voice

Young couple sitting on a pink couch, reviewing documents and looking at a laptop.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

A commanding voice with a prominent tone reveals that a man is confident and composed. A man with a weak, tenuous, and shaky voice is seen as fragile and insecure by women. An arrogant tone is despised by women, as nothing repels them faster than that.  

His Level of Grooming

A barber spraying hair product on an older man with a white beard in a barbershop.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

If a man is to be accepted and liked by women, then he needs to be properly groomed. Clean, neatly cut hair, clean and properly trimmed nails, and fresh breath are indicative of proper grooming. This reveals to the women just how much self-respect and care a man has for himself. They believe that this level of care will extend to them in case of a potential relationship as well. 

His Scent

Close-up of a hand holding a bottle of Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce Cologne against a dark background.
©Rodrigo Tadeo/Unsplash.com

Scent is a potent tool for attracting women. A woman is bound to take notice when a man smells amazing. It shows that he takes the time and effort to improve himself, and that is simply sexy. Conversely, overpowering cologne or poor hygiene is regarded as an instant turn-off for women.

His Shoes

High-angle view of a person wearing a formal white shirt and black trousers, tying the laces of shiny black dress shoes on a parquet floor.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Men with clean, freshly polished shoes are the ones that women admire. They immediately notice the state of your shoes, and cleanliness exudes an adherence to discipline and detail. A man with worn or dirty shoes is seen as neglectful and inconsistent by women. 

His Hands

A professional woman in a grey suit and glasses smiling while shaking hands with a man outside a modern building.
©Curated Lifestyle/Unsplash.com

Women notice when men shake their hands. They take note of the texture and care of the hands as well as the firmness of the handshake. The texture of the skin and the strength of the handshake speak volumes about a man’s nature and reflect his lifestyle. 

His Style

Handsome man in a light blue suit and white t-shirt adjusting his jacket on a sunny, palm-tree-lined walkway.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Style doesn’t necessarily mean a preference for designer items. It actually refers to his sense in clothing and what fits him properly. A man who dresses according to his body type and personality is seen as confident and self-aware. On the other hand, a person who dresses too ostentatiously or contrary to his body type is deemed excessive, insecure, and inconsistent by women. 

His Confidence

Smiling man in a blue suit standing by the open door of a black luxury car.
©Fortune Vieyra/Unsplash.com

A man’s confidence is his energy. Women perceive it even before he opens his mouth. It is revealed in how he walks, stands, or takes up space. The main difference is that confident men attract women, while timid and unconfident ones repel them.

His Body Language

A smiling man and woman looking at each other across a table while holding a menu in a well-lit cafe or restaurant.
©Yunus Tuğ/Unsplash.com

The way a man moves is also observed by women. Leaning in when she says something, making open gestures, keeping his arms relaxed, and so on, is well received by women. These actions show that the man is comfortable and is expressing sincere and fervent interest in her. Contrarily, a man who constantly fidgets, checks his phone, keeps his arms crossed, and so on is seen as being insincere, artificial, and disconnected by women. 

His Manners

A man in a suit opening the door of a classic black convertible for a woman in a green dress outside a luxury building at night.
©Image: Gemini

Manners make a man, and that is a truth that women get behind. Women tend to notice good manners, like when a man opens the door for her, pulls out a chair, waits till she’s seated, and more. These good manners show that the man is of stellar character and has the makings of a great partner. 

His Sense of Humor

Young couple sitting outdoors laughing together in tall, dry grass.
©Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦/Unsplash.com

Women notice humor and even enjoy it in moderation. They like the occasional playful tease, a light joke peppered through the conversation, and general lightheartedness. It turns them on, while excessive sarcasm and humor serve to disconcert and repudiate them.

His Energy

Young man comforting a woman who is leaning her head on his shoulder in a domestic setting with a white brick wall background.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Energy may be invisible, but it defines a man and his mannerisms effectively. A man who exudes a positive, consistent, and calm energy is bound to draw the ladies in. On the other hand, a guy who gives off bitterness, negativity, and restlessness is going to repel women pretty fast. 

His Conversation Style

Two people wearing glasses are sitting at a white table, talking and drinking coffee with a laptop present in a modern, open-office setting.
©M.Cooper/Unsplash.com

The way a man engages women in a conversation reflects his character and compatibility with them. If he pays close attention while she talks and waits for his turn to speak, then that translates into attraction for women. However, a man who is constantly cutting them off mid-sentence and tends to take an aggressive approach agitates women. 

His Hands-Off Respect

Two college students, a woman and a man with a backpack, having a serious conversation on a university campus lawn.
©The Jopwell Collection/Unsplash.com

Women take notice when a man takes steps to respect her space. A man who doesn’t initiate physical touch unnecessarily, cut them off while they are talking, or violate boundaries attracts women. This signals to them that he is emotionally intelligent and mature.

Final Thoughts

A woman with long, dark hair listening intently to a person across the table while stirring a drink at an outdoor cafe.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Attraction is more than skin deep, meaning that it goes beyond just looks. Women tend to pick up on the more subtle nuances of a man’s personality. They observe, notice, and are then attracted or repulsed based on the quality of these aspects. These quiet signals matter and define a person far more effectively than mere looks ever can. 

Dating & Confidence Everlane, white sneakers

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About TMM Staff

The Modest Man staff writers are experts in men's lifestyle who love teaching guys how to live their best lives.

If an article is published under TMM Staff, that means multiple writers worked on it. For example, sometimes several of us have experience with a certain brand, so we collaborate to publish a more thorough review.

Or, if an article was originally written by one person, but then it was updated by someone else, we'll re-publish it under TMM Staff.

Remember: all of our articles (including those below) are written by real people with decades of combined experience in men's fashion and lifestyle topics.

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