LabLover has this right.

There is no manual to "women" or relationships for that matter. In fact if you tried to just follow some general set of rules it would probably be more of a turn off than anything. It has been my experience that women don't want a guy who can memorize a few "simple steps to success". They want a guy who takes a real interest in them, puts in the effort to learn their likes, dislikes and so on.

Also, I can't speak as a woman but I think it is a bit of a misconception to think that a woman "wants to be on a pedestal". It is more accurate to look at things in the way that they want to feel special but they don't want to feel like they are put up on display, not to be touched, to be treated like a doll, or to feel like your always walking on egg shells around them.

In short, treat them as a real person, not some object to be worshiped from afar. Show them respect, care about them, give support when it is needed, be there for them no matter what (even at 4AM after a long night), or as you might guess, treat them the way you wish to be treated.

It takes time to find someone who is right for you and more time to build a relationship. Don't try to rush it, just let it happen and enjoy every step of the way.

P.S. When you find that special someone you will have no idea what to do anyway, you will be all mixed up, nervous as can be and making mistakes regularly. Don't worry, it is normal, just do your best and things will work out in the end. If nothing else, years down the road you two will look back and laugh at all of the little things that didn't work out quite the way you had hoped. You will realize that much of it really was silly and it will just be a fond memory for the both of you.