A co-worker and I were talking the other day about men. It's inevitable. If you leave two or more women in a room together for a long enough amount of time, the topic of discussion will usually turn towards men.

My co-worker had mentioned that she wasn't sure if the guy she had been dating was going to ask her to become a couple or not. They had dated a few times but nothing had been made official. She wanted to be his girlfriend, but she didn't know how to get that to happen.

I asked her if she thought she was girlfriend material. With that question she seemed a little confused. I then told her that if she wants to be his girlfriend she should first know if she is his friend. In lasting personal relationships, the couple is not only romantically or physically attracted to each other. They are also really good friends.

When talking with guys that have long term girlfriends, they all seem to have different tastes in terms of looks and styles. No two guys will like the same exact type of girl. But even with the differences in their types, there are some common things that guys look for when it comes to picking a girl to be his girlfriend. These a few common ideas when you want to know how to be a good girlfriend.

Find activities that you can both have fun in and do them together. I have been told more than once that a good girlfriend is supposed to watch some sports game with her boyfriend so that he will like her more. This is simply foolish advice if the girl HATES watching sports. And there are some guys that absolutely have no interest in sports. If you have been going out on a few dates with someone you probably have a good idea or not if you have things in common. Do things with him that you actually enjoy doing and don't do the things that don't really interest you. That way you remain true to yourself and still get to spend quality time with him.

Be a gift, don't get a gift. It's not that you can never buy a man a gift for special occasions, but it's more important that you are loving with your words and small everyday actions if you want to know how to be a good girlfriend. Compliment him on the way that he looks or if he makes an effort to dress up. Encourage him if he is nervous about a big job interview. Let him know in little ways that you appreciate who he is as a person and you like who he is as a person. He will want to be around you more and more because you make him feel good about himself. It is one of the things men really want in a relationship. It will also go much deeper than some new watch you buy him for his birthday.

Don't punch his ego....especially not in public. This is probably the most important point. It has been said many times that men have fragile egos. Women complain a that men should quit being babies about being hurt. They are told to “man up” and take it. But men are CONSTANTLY getting their egos kicked in modern society. I have seen grown men berated by women in front of their friends out in public. It's embarrassing for the man and it makes the woman look like a raving witch. Ladies, don't do this. He will never commit to a woman that disrespects him. If you disagree with your man over something, wait until you get home to discuss it. And when you do discuss it try to be fair.

Remember that as a girlfriend, you are a “girl” and you are his “friend”. Never forget that you are still his friend and it should be easy to be good to him.