This article was originally published at
[Sasstrology](http://sasstrology.com/2010/09/libra-men-are-they-worth-the-effort.html),
and is republished with permission.
Recently, on Twitter, I got an interesting direct message from a guy who asked, “Why do some women look at me sideways when they find out I’m a Libra?” There are a few answers to that question. First, nearly everybody gets the side-eye for their sign. For instance, I get it for being a Scorpio. (I’m reportedly a sex freak, though, like many Scorps, I can go for months or years without sex at all.) I know plenty of Geminis who don’t get a second chance for the expectation that they’re two-faced. But this is Sun-sign astrology, a bloodsport in some circles, especially when it comes to love. The truth is that there is a little bit of truth about a sign that gets stretched way out of proportion. Fortunately, we can sift through the hype and pick out the shards of truth about a sign. So as I talk about Libra men, what I say won’t be applicable for all Libra men at all times; but if any of my insights apply to some Libra men enough of the time, then it’s time well-spent.
So why the side-eye for Libra men? Libra men frequently are dashing, charming, only wanting to please, and often very witty. Of course, some of these traits might lead some to assume that he’s either a playboy like Libra Snoop Dog or that he’s in the closet with all that culture and refinement. However, I think the unease about Libra men boils down to the fact that they’re so hard to pin down, like Piscean men, but in a completely different way. They’re airy yet very rational, so they can seem scattered and at other times indecisive. Unfortunately, in our sexist culture, many don’t find indecisiveness in a man cute or sexy, even though they may tolerate this trait in a woman.
Yet there are very few men as well-rounded as Libras. Some say that more generals are born under this sign than any other. Libra men love strategy, pursuing options, beautifully laid-out plans and strengthening relationships. Of course, problems start when Libras gets too caught up in their idealizations of beauty and relationships. The challenge is for them to find beauty and balance in more intimate moments, not all the time. They may rely too much on consideration of others as they look to solve some problem or social equation in their lives. Libra has to learn that real beauty is in figuring out, privately or with a partner, the proper balance between the courage of his own convictions and consideration for others. This holds true whether your Libra man is ordering clam chowder or an engagement ring. And honestly, a gal with a Libra man may not want to work that hard, so that’s why many Libra guys get the “side-eye” treatment.
But Libra men have a hard time finding that balance. Like the other two air signs (Gemini and Aquarius), they love talking about, discovering, entertaining or creating choices, options and perspectives on almost anything. Too bad they tend to get overwhelmed by these options or their constant need for choice. So a nice romantic night out at a restaurant can turn into a blowout, if it goes like this:
You: What do you want to eat? What do you feel like having?
Libra Man: I want clam chowder, but I also feel like having shrimp bisque. But then I see they also have a yummy avocado salad. And…
…so it goes for the next five minutes while your stomach churns. You want to be “nice” but as he gets more agitated, so do you. The solutionis to connect the Libra guy to his real scales, which balances the gut with the intellect. The operative word is to connect, though, because that’s really what the Libra needs in that moment. Libras want to feel connected to someone or something, yet as a cardinal sign, they must assert themselves. Confused? That’s okay. Allow room for both by appearing to narrow options.
You: Go for the bisque. You like shrimp.
Libra man: Yeah, but I like the clam chowder too. I think I’ll go for that.
By using a little Aries, their opposite sign, you provide a foil, a relationship dynamic to explore options, rather than leave him to do so individually. Again, it’s not because Libra’s incapable of acting independently as much as he’d rather act interdependently, especially if he’s with someone else. This requires flexibility on your part, too. You can’t get too attached to the decisions he makes for himself. For instance, our Libra man above might change his mind again as soon as the waiter comes. That’s okay. He made a decision once, so he can do it again.
Of course, it’s perfectly fair to be less understanding if your Libra guy waffles on decisions that jointly affect you. (We’re talking about Libra here, so he’ll even think you’re being fair!) But you have to accept that a Libra guy is less likely to be a direct/take charge/macho kind of guy. He may be too smooth, too quick, too polished … and too indecisive too often. Regardless, for wit, sophistication, smarts, good looks, fun, and socializing, you’ll find few guys who can match Libra men. You won’t be as sorry about his choices as much as the time it may take for him to make them.