Los Angeles, Aug 27 (IANS): Canadian actor Ryan Gosling, known for dating beautiful women in Hollywood, says it is his patient listing ability that makes him appealing to women.

"If I have any particular appeal to women, maybe it's because I listen more than other guys do and appreciate how they think and feel about things," thesun.co.uk quoted Gosling as saying.

The 31-year-old, who has dated actresses Blake Lively and Rachel McAdams in the past, believes that his family background helped him in understanding and respecting women.

"I grew up in a family of strong women and I owe any capacity I have to understand women to my mother and big sister," he said.

"They taught me to respect women in a way where I've always felt a strong emotional connection to women, which has also helped me in the way I approach my work as an actor," Gosling added.

The actor, known for his work in movies like "The Notebook" and "Ides Of March", is currently dating actress Eva Mendes.

He will soon be seen in director Derek Cianfrance's movie "The Place Beyond The Pines", expected to release Sep 7.