via MadameNoire.com

We usually hear the term “alpha male” when describing a man who is powerful, competitive and is a leader who stands out among all men. But the same term applies to women who possess similar traits – the Alpha Female.

Alpha Females are intelligent, “take charge” women who can be seen as powerful, or aggressive, depending on who you ask. Being an Alpha Female should be looked at as a good thing, but most bold women are sometimes recognized as high-maintenance or even a Itchbay by society’s standards.

So are you an Alpha Female? If so, there may be some pros and cons to possessing strong traits. If you are unsure, read through these characteristics to see if any of them describe you.

1. You’re Not Easily Impressed

A man brings you flowers and candy on your first date and he thinks he’s the most romantic man in the world. You, on the other hand, feel that he is unimaginative and boring. Most Alpha Females are used to getting attention from men, so a man has to come at her a little better than the average Joe. After all, the type of man she hopes to attract is one that is like her – confident, creative and most of all, NOT average. However, the downside to this is appearing ungrateful. Alpha Females have to learn to go easy on men, at least in the beginning, if their intentions are good. He may step his game up once he knows what type of woman he’s dealing with.

2. You Date Multiple Men at a Time

Most Alpha Females don’t feel the need to commit, because they don’t have to. She has men falling at her feet, so she may feel she doesn’t need to choose one when she can enjoy the company of many. Alpha Females enjoy their freedom, so answering to one man may not appeal to her…unless of course she’s coupled up with an Alpha Male who is charismatic enough to charm her for more than a season. She doesn’t choose men on a whim, and certainly not just ONE, so if she does settle down with one man, he’s hit the jackpot. But this can also backfire, because if she chooses an Alpha Male to settle down with, she has to make sure he’s not exercising his right to date multiple women as well.

3. You Pay For Everything

Alpha Females don’t want a man to feel like she owes him anything, ever. So she insists on going “Dutch” on dates, or even paying for the entire date, just so she can remain in control. Men won’t expect anything from her if they can’t spring for a meal or the movies – as they shouldn’t since we already know that it takes more than hot dogs at the Imax theater to impress her. The way for Alpha Females to combat this power struggle is to simply allow the man to be a man, or at least treat her to a fun night out once in a while. If she’s out with an Alpha Male, he won’t allow her to pay for the date anyway, in which case she’s met her match.

4. You’re Unavailable

Alpha Females are usually busy, since they’re successful, goal-driven and ambitious. They’re always on the go, as most overachievers are, so he’ll have to work around her schedule if he wants to spend any time with her. While being successful is admirable, being unavailable ALL the time may send a man a signal that you’re not interested, and he’ll soon look elsewhere for companionship. No man (or woman) wants to be the “last minute call” person who feels that you keep him waiting by the phone just in case you need a date. And chances are, if you DO keep him around for that reason, you won’t respect him anyway…so put the poor guy out of his misery or make time for him.

5. You’re Extremely Confident

This is never a bad thing, unless of course your confidence comes across as arrogance or cockiness. A true Alpha Female knows how to show confidence without being condescending or combative, and she doesn’t feel the need to prove her intelligence by being “right” all the time. But there are those Alpha Females that are so self-assured that they are a bit intimidating, which is not necessarily her fault. Her independence can make a man feel that she doesn’t need him in her life, which she doesn’t – but that’s not the message she should send. Instead, true Alpha Females can let a man know that she wants him, not that she needs him, and she can express herself with grace. And if she chooses an Alpha Male, then this won’t be necessary as her confidence will be attractive to him because it’ll mirror his – and he’ll be lucky to have her.