Zapp dude! Very good question based on what ya observe and something that has a variety of answers again on different observations. Although some regular guys are regular others have better fundamentals, better natural instincts or are good providers for a girl that's looking for one. If ya for the bill she's looking for ya can strike lucky but do ya fancy ya chances winning the lottery?
Like DarkKnight I know guys that have opted out of looking an trying, I know guys that have settled an I also know guys that have been ridiculously lucky with their current girlfriends. They've held them for a year without any drama... but they're totally clueless with girls. What they have going is they're tall, dress fairly well, don't look like quasimodo and are good providers with well paid jobs. I'm not saying ya have to be rich to be a provider but it can help.
It's not so much regular guys walk around until a girl likes them enough to do all the work. Some regular guys will do some work or at least meet them half way but they'll make it more challenging than needs to be. Mr chatty on text, ya betcha. Beating about the Bush an not asking straight away, damn right. Possibly pushing for a relationship themselves? I wouldn't doubt it. All fundamentally wrong, but ya can do everything wrong an succeed an do everything right an fail. Shit certainly does happen dude!
There's not one answer for this cause each case isn't the same. As for hanging on to the girl, how valuable are these regular guys to them? If they don't feel they can do better and invest a lot of time in a guy it's harder for her to leave. Girls are racing against time for their sell by date!!