What Happens When Singles Follow the 6-6-6 Rule

The 6-6-6 dating rule is about women only dating men who are at least six feet tall, have at least a six-figure salary, and have six-pack abs or are at least six-inches long down there.

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You may have heard men on social media complaining about women who want too much "six" when dating. No, not sex, but six with an "I," as in at least some women insisting, "I want a man who is at least six feet tall, has at least a six-figure salary, and has six-pack abs or is at least six-inches long down there." This has become known as the "6-6-6 rule."

Has the 6-6-6 Rule Set Up Unrealistic Dating Expectations for Men?

The men complaining about this rule point to statistics that only 14.5% of men in the U.S. are six feet or taller and only 25% of American men make at least $100,000 a year. It's not clear what percentage of them have six-pack abs or other physical attributes, since such things are more difficult to verify on surveys. But the resulting math suggests that only a very small fraction—likely less than one percent—of all men may satisfy all three or four "sixes."

Are Men Using the 6-6-6 Rule as an Excuse for Dating Problems?

Of course, it's not uncommon for men—and women—to use generalizations about the available dating pool as excuses for their dating woes. The "women are too picky" lament is a common one. Blaming others is often a lot easier than taking a closer look at what you may be doing wrong and then making real constructive changes. And stereotyping entire groups of people can seem a whole lot easier than actually getting to know each individual.

Are Men Using the 6-6-6 Rule to Stereotype Women?

In actuality, it's difficult to tell how many women are in fact using and abiding by the 6-6-6 rule. Sure, some women on social media have been very vocal about ruling out any men who don't meet all "six" criteria of this rule. But how representative are these women?

Regardless, the stereotype is out there. And as is the case with practically any stereotype, you can consciously or unconsciously look for any signs that confirm the stereotype—whether or not they actually do. That can end up tanking dates well before you even have a chance to get to know each other and see if there is a fit.

For example, what if you enter a date thinking your days are already numbered because your salary is short of the six-figure mark? Will you then interpret every statement like "I like traveling" or "I like avocado toast" as "you don't have enough money for me?"

The 6-6-6 Rule Does Show That There Are Superficial People Out There

As is the case with any stereotype, there are indeed some people out there who truly match the stereotype. And women—and men—being superficial is one such case. Plenty of people will rule out others simply based on superficial appearance or thing like salary, overlooking stuff that matters more in the long run such as personal values, goals, and personality.

The Benefits of the 6-6-6 Rule

Now, one benefit of the 6-6-6 rule is that it can be a time- and effort- saver in clearly identifying those who are using more superficial criteria in dating. If someone is clearly all about the sixes and that's just not you, then you could quickly deep-six any possibilities with that person.

The same applies in the opposite direction. If you act all "sixy" because that's how you truly are, that can help other daters more readily choose whether to bother with you. Since dating is about finding the right mutual fit, frank and open communication is key.

Is the 6-6-6 Rule for You?

Therefore, don't waste your time telling others what they should or should not desire. Instead, focus on what you can control: yourself. That then raises the question, if you are looking to date men, should you use the 6-6-6 rule?

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Well, you have to ask yourself what kind of six-cess it would end up getting you in the long run? How important are height, salary, abs, and size to you compared to personality, values, and priorities? Sure, six-pack abs may make you more apt to look at the person right now. But over time that six pack may turn into more of a keg. And someone with six or more in length down there may actually be a six or less downer in bed.

Getting someone who is taller or maybe even much taller than you may help if you always want to be looking up or want to minimize use of a step stool. But there's something afoot about setting a six-foot-height limit when so many fawned-over male celebrities don't even top the five-feet-eight-inch mark such as Tom Cruise, Zac Efron, Robert Downey, Jr., and Al Pacino. Finally, setting a somewhat arbitrary salary limit may seem like a way to pay for your future. But you have to ask yourself what you might end up paying for in the process.

Chances are the right fit for you won't necessarily come in the perfect package. Plus, things do change over time. So, maybe it's not a great idea to let too much "six" now get in the way of your dating.

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