Another possible explanation is that
married (or significantly invovled) men may feel more
comfortable, more secure in their
relationships and thus exude more confidence on an ongoing basis. This in turn appeals to
women, even if they know that he is married.
Another angle is that women may feel more comfortable being
friends and flirty with a married man because they feel that these activities are less likely to be misinterpreted (as
bitchy, cold, or
slutty) should there not be any
consummation of the
flirtation (a date, etc.).
Of course, yet another
explanation that a friend of mine proposes is that this is one of the many ways life tries to be
unfair to married men because men are not supposed to be married. As the character Fish points out on the TV series
Ally McBeal, "we don't use the same
car for 18 years", so why should we be expected to devote ourselves to each other for
eternity?
I disagree with his opinion, but find it very humorous.