Maybe we should log on and forget the whole mess. As a relationship counselor, my initial research concerned women's dating habits. These men find their way to me through the underground grapevine, for men rarely tell their buddies they are having girl problems. Women say they want a sensitive guy, but then they choose a jerk. My observation as a clinician in this field is that women don't want men who push them around, but they do want men who can stand up to them.
Balance is the key.
But, because he has the skill of persistence, this man continues to chase after her, often enduring mistreatment. He spends much time and money on her hoping she will change her mind if he just tries hard enough. As children, most of them worked hard to attain love. On top of this he often has, like other people, internalized the partial mind-set of a critical parent. So, he retreats when she wants connection, perceiving her needs as criticism.