We told you that we love musicians, so you went out and started your own death metal band. We claimed to appreciate a good sense of humor, so you brushed up on your "guy walks into a bar" repertoire. We’ve given you reasons to believe that it’s what you know, not what you look like that we regard highly. Still, we’re as guilty as you for checking out a nicely packaged member of the opposite sex.
Studies conducted by women's magazines over the years reveal that women are in favor of personality. A good sense of humor will surely win the heart of a good woman. But who here has ever spotted someone across the room and said, "Hey, look at the sense of humor on that one?" Perhaps these women are keeping the future in mind, when she hopes her man will be amused rather than disgusted when her tits become floppier than a basset hound‘s ears. More likely, the editors of these magazines are aware of the male readership and have slanted the results to make them feel adequate.
The tables are cruelly turned in your average men’s magazine. While women studies may be tailored to pacify men, guys openly ogle scantily clad, well-built ladies. These photos, while fun to look at (as a member of the female species, I’m willing to admit that half-naked women make great eye candy), reduce a regular girl to an emotional basket case. The basket cases set impossibly high standards for themselves based on what they believe you really want. Yes, guys are visually stimulated creatures and do tend to judge potential partners by cover than by content. But well-adjusted women know that you need more than a pretty face and a tight ass to keep you coming around. That’s where the kinky sex tricks come into play. Of course, all of that goes out the window on a Friday night drinking binge. Then it’s whoever, wherever.
Eventually the cute dimples give way to road map wrinkles, but you're stuck with your personality forever. For the most part, women hope that it's a good one. If a woman intends to bed you, you must have some redeeming quality. A nice guy attitude will get you further than being an asshole, especially if you’re short on looks. Girls can justify sleeping with handsome hunks and lovable losers. We loathe men who are overly self-confident, snide, and have the face of a pimply ass.
But looks are somewhat of a factor. In recent years, men have taken more of an interest in their own appearances. With men presenting themselves in better fashions, women are taking notice. A well-dressed guy stands a better chance of scoring than a guy in a faded Metallica shirt and ripped jeans. Even if you weren’t blessed with good genes, you can make up for it with clean jeans.
It’s an established fact that women crave substance. Let's be honest, with that biological clock ticking, personality may not be the substance girls are necessarily looking for. A woman who's looking to conceive a child may be less picky about her suitor's appearance as long as he's in good working order. Those of us who are not likely to marry or bear children are free to seek out other qualities such as money, fame, looks, or sterility.
So, what's more important: personality or looks? Neither and both. As with everything, there are some exceptions. It's all a matter of taste, I guess. Practice good hygiene, read a few books, and pray that luck is on your side. If you feel yourself drawn to someone, chalk it up to chemistry. Or anatomy. Or biology. Just try not to dissect your date before you get to first base.