Miranda from Sex and the City said it best — men commit when they’re ready, not when they’ve met “the one.” This phenomenon is otherwise known as the Taxi Cab Theory, and once you memorize its rulebook, dating makes a lot more sense.
We tapped the internet Daddy to all Daddies and aspiring Daddies to get to the bottom of this theory once and for all. Enter Niko Emanuilidis of the Daddy Academy, the NYC-based modern dating guru who has mastered the ultimate no bullshit daddy energy, because confident men pull high-value women.
With a following of 500k+ on TikTok and a personal following of 200k+ on Instagram, Niko is quickly redefining what modern masculinity looks like — grounded, emotionally fluent and unapologetically secure. Boys... take notes.
According to Niko, it’s not that men don’t crave love. They do. They want connection, legacy, something real. But until a man feels grounded (in his career, his purpose, his sense of self), his light simply isn’t on.
You can be everything he’s ever wanted, and he’ll still keep driving.
Let's get into it.
Let’s be real — life is expensive. Add a girlfriend, wife and eventually kids, and those costs multiply fast. Contrary to the online discourse around “going 50/50,” most men ideally want to be traditional providers. That desire to protect and provide is deeply masculine.
But when a man doesn’t feel financially secure, he’ll subconsciously avoid serious commitment until he does. A lack of career passion or direction is also one of the top reasons women leave relationships. So many men hit pause on long-term commitment not because they don’t want love — but because they don’t yet feel like the kind of man who can sustain it.
We often talk about women’s “biological timelines,” but men have their own version too — at least the type of men you want to date.
Men who are truly ready to prioritize a serious relationship and family usually fall between ages 28–35. Below that, they may still be exploring, building or not yet thinking in terms of permanence. Above that, it’s a mixed bag.
If a man is 40 and single, it’s almost always by choice. That’s not a red flag by itself, but it usually means his taxi light isn’t on — and may not be anytime soon.
Timing matters. Generally, someone’s last relationship should have ended at least six months ago before they’re emotionally ready to start something new.
If he was the one who ended it, there’s some wiggle room — maybe he processed things before the breakup. But if he was the one broken up with, that recovery window is often closer to a year.
Ask the key questions:
- How long was your last relationship?
- How did it end?
- Why did it end?
These aren’t interrogation questions — they’re emotional clarity questions. His answers will tell you if he’s truly ready for something new or just trying to fill a void.
If a man’s last relationship was more than three years ago, that’s worth noting. A high-value man with options who wants a relationship usually doesn’t go that long without one.
If he’s been single for years, it’s often intentional — either because he fears commitment or because he’s addicted to the freedom of the bachelor lifestyle. That doesn’t make him a villain, but it does tell you where his priorities lie.
Now, if he says he’s intentionally focusing on his business or goals for a season, that’s fair — as long as he’s upfront about it from day one. Transparency is key.
A man’s environment reveals everything.
Ask yourself:
- What's his social life like?
- Are his friends mostly in serious relationships or still out every weekend?
- What kind of relationship did his parents model?
nts model?A man looking for partnership isn’t in the club every Saturday surrounded by single friends. If he’s 33 and still deep in “the streets,” odds are he’s not ready to settle down.
Also, look at his inner circle — we tend to mirror the five people we spend the most time with. If his close friends are getting married or having kids, he’s more likely to be in that mindset too. And if he grew up watching healthy love, he’s far more likely to want it for himself.
All of these “rules” are guidelines, not gospel. The cliché “when you know, you know” still holds truth.
Sometimes, connection defies timing. You might meet a man whose taxi light seems completely off — but something about your connection flips the switch. Suddenly, he’s all in.
That’s the beauty of dating: it’s unpredictable, magnetic and sometimes divinely timed. So, keep these insights in mind when vetting — but don’t let them harden your heart. Stay open, stay curious and trust that your person will recognize your light when the time comes.