| There exists an interesting theory that beauty is simply the optimal biological adaptation of the body to the environment. According to this theory, we are perpetually evaluating our fellow human beings in terms of potential mating, looking for the right combination of heath and genetics, and that's what governs our sexual preferences. A thick, muscular neck is sexy on a man, because men, by their biological function, fight more often than women. A long lean neck is sexy on a woman because she is the look-out rather than a fighter. A thin waist of a woman compensates for her hips by adding mobility to her body. Heavy muscular development of the male pectorals is indicative of the great strength. As our civilization develops, we choose to accentuate certain attributes. Corsets show of the narrow waist. Spikes heels lengthen the calf - the longer the legs, the better is the runner. Jackets develop padded shoulders. Even our cosmetics are tailored to improve our mating chances: foundation hides evidence of a lousy immune system, blush falsifies healthy circulation, eyeliner creates an illusion of larger eyes and therefore bigger field of vision. Broken down like that, beauty seems just a sum of optimal mutations. And if one were to sit down and put together a laundry list of beautiful traits, all of the descriptions of beautiful people would sound the same: large eyes, large mouth, chiseled cheekbones, lustrous hair… Boring. Without personality, even the most detailed description will read like an old wad of used chewing gum. It's the personality that makes us truly unique. The more I write, the more aware I am of how much of our seduction takes place on the intellectual level. I suppose that's why writers often try to marry personality with description. Honestly, it's a ton of work. That aspect of writing doesn’t come naturally to me. I end up wondering, well what is this particular woman see in this man? Is she looking for a protector? Does his intellect add to his allure? It is the capacity for violence that's pulling her in? So I'd like to ask you, what do you guys find attractive? |
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Hi, Anna the Piper from LJ here. In no particular order, at least if we're talking purely physical attributes:
* Deeper voice with a touch of rasp to it.
* Hair just long enough to look really nifty when mussed, preferably with one lock falling over one eye. That slays me every time. ;)
* Accents! Of any kind, but I'm especially partial to Irish or Newfoundlander.
* Height.
* Rangy, lean build.
* Blue or green eyes.
Atticus
At my age...a pulse.
This might be a cliche, but a sense of humor trumps all. A nice ass helps too.
Slender necks and snappy comebacks, preferably bitchy.
I'm not joking.
Aren't you married, Mark??
As for me... sweet, bright eyes, soft lips (I tell you, I could kiss my husband for hours and not notice... much to his chagrin b/c I try.) :), height, strength, intelligence, playful... and if I could add one more thing to my husband: an accent (preferably scottish or irish, but russian would do to).
I like tall people. Maybe because I am short. But to be honest, it's personality that gets me every time. (Having said that, I'm not fond of muscular necks or overly large pecs. Turn offs. I guess I'm supposed to like them, as I am female, but I just don't.)
I've been married three times and each spouse was very different physically, but they all had a sense of humor, and they all loved music. Are there genes for that?
Hmm. Clearly I was not meant to propagate our species.