There is in fact a set of physical characteristics or qualities that make a person attractive to large numbers of people. These things have been subjected to clinical study; I can't remember everything, but this is what I can recall:
- left/right symmetry; the more symmetric, the more attractive.
- shoulder:waist:hips proportions. For men, shoulders should be wider than the waist (I forget the ideal ratio); The waist should be no less than 90% the width of the hips. For women, the stereotypical 36:24:36 is pretty close to the ideal.
- obviously the usual: clear skin, healthy complexion, healthy/fit body...These things all signify virility and fatherhood potential in a man (or fertility and child-bearing quality in a woman). (And yes, attractiveness IS determined by heterosexual concerns; homosexual men are attracted to men who look like they have good genes to pass on, despite the fact that it doesn't matter, logically.)
This is why I watch sex documentaries--just in case someone asks questions like these. *g*
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2003-06-10 06:58 pm (UTC)- left/right symmetry; the more symmetric, the more attractive.
- shoulder:waist:hips proportions. For men, shoulders should be wider than the waist (I forget the ideal ratio); The waist should be no less than 90% the width of the hips. For women, the stereotypical 36:24:36 is pretty close to the ideal.
- obviously the usual: clear skin, healthy complexion, healthy/fit body...These things all signify virility and fatherhood potential in a man (or fertility and child-bearing quality in a woman). (And yes, attractiveness IS determined by heterosexual concerns; homosexual men are attracted to men who look like they have good genes to pass on, despite the fact that it doesn't matter, logically.)
This is why I watch sex documentaries--just in case someone asks questions like these. *g*