Although men and women both say a sense of humor is critical to attraction, what they mean by ’sense of humor’ is different. “In our research, women said they wanted ‘someone who makes me laugh,’ and men said they wanted ‘someone who laughs at my jokes,’” said Rod Martin. His work is part of a research on humor - exploring how subtle courtship cues revealed through humor can foster love. Many men agree that women who appreciate their humor are the ones they’re attracted to. “Male egos are delicate; if she laughs it makes it a lot more comfortable.”