We’re in a Darwinian competition, so of course we compare ourselves; sizing each other up to see if we think we can beat them for the prized women. There are any number of metrics that might be used. Things like penis size are kind of silly, but they do make a difference with certain women. Height, weight, strength, earning power, toys, intelligence, wit, power—all things we might compare ourselves on. Looks, ability to dress well, manners, smoothness with the ladies, ability to drink, ride horses, rope cattle, fly a fighter jet, jump from airplanes, climb Mt. Everest—for god’s sake, just about everything we do is a competition and a comparison.
I’m pretty sure it’s the same for women. Maybe you’re asking about the major comparison points. I don’t see how we could say much about that because there are so many things we measure and take into account, that to say income or looks or strength or penis size was one of the most important things would be absurd. They are just the cliches and don’t get anywhere close to what really goes on in our heads when we size each other up.
A lot of women say they like intelligence in a man. I’m not sure men think that women like that. An intelligent many might fly under the radar by acquiring skills that women want but that men don’t really think women want. It can become an advantage for such a man to not really do well in comparisons with men. They won’t think much of him, being completely oblivious to the fact that he is actually quite popular with women.
Then again, maybe real men don’t care. They much more prefer to compete with each other to prove who is more macho or strong or powerful or whatever. They think this is more meaningful to them than a relationship with a woman.
It takes all kinds.