A new year has started and that means new relationships. Yes, we all know you awkwardly avoided dating before the holidays due to not wanting to buy any extra presents, but now it is time to rush to find someone before the dreaded Valentine's Day. I mean technically it is only dreaded if you do not find someone, but that is beside the point. Right now you are alone and unsure where to begin, so Whitney to the rescue. Here are five basic things every normal girl wants from a guy (emphasis on the word normal).

1. Good Smile

This does not always mean a perfect smile with perfect teeth. It is more like your smile around her lights up her world and makes her day. She'd give anything to see your smile one more time, and that is just the minimum. This is something where the beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder but trust me if you got it, you have her.

2. Make Us Laugh

What person does not want to laugh? If you can make the girl laugh, you have officially made yourself a keeper. I am not talking about a “this is awkward” kind of laugh or even a sympathy laugh; I am talking about those from the heart good kind of laughs that are sometimes few and far between.

3. Good Conversation

Now this kind of comes with chemistry, but the most important thing I can say is make the effort. If you feel the conversation start to dwindle off in any situation, start a new one. Do not be a stalker or be annoying, but if you can tell she is interested in make the effort. Be willing to talk about whatever she wants to talk about. Also, be prepared for the conversation to go anywhere. You also can get bonus points with funny stories that relate to the conversation, just make sure they are actually funny.

4. Shows Interest

Yes, clothes and makeup may totally bore you, but we always appreciate you acting interested. Ask questions if you have no idea what we are talking about. Interest is all about the little things. Ask us how our day was or why our professor is a total jerk. Just be there in whatever way you possibly can, and whatever way feels normal for you personally.

5. Do Not Be Pushy

We ALL know who really wears the pants in the relationship and it is not you boys. Being pushy is the number one way to push a girl that you are interested in away. Let her set the pace for the potential relationship. Just let go and go with the flow of what she wants. During the process, tell her what you want, though. She needs to hear that you want to be in her life, but let her call the plays. In the end that will make her happy, which will make you happy.

At the end of the day, we are all just searching for the one to share our happiness with.