Most people don't respect a person who will do anything for them.
For example, if a man will accept any kind of behavior from a woman (e.g. always doing exactly what she wants, never complaining if the changes her mind at the last second), then she will often test the limits, trying to find (consciously or unconsciously) when he will stand up (and it's been that way for a long time
So it can help to expect certain behavoriors, and be prepared to dump the woman if she does not conform; it did help me. I view this as "being myself".
And, despite what many women say, woman often really do want to be dominated by a man, and enjoy a certain level of conflict. (OK, before Bionerd blows up at me, I mean partial domination - the man being the stronger - not complete).
Tony