ShareIn fact, pheromones help us make wise decisions from the point of view of our species, since we unknowingly prefer the ‘smell’ of those whose genetic make-up complements our own. Pheromones can be responsible for that groin-tingling immediate attraction that occurs with some people and not with others. Some experts think that our preoccupation with cleanliness is washing away these biochemicals that regulate some of the ways in which we communicate.

There are certain physical characteristics that point our brains and groins to desirable hidden qualities in the opposite sex. Imagine a babe with an hourglass figure, sauntering by a group of men. Each exaggerated swing of her rounded hips and every gentle jiggle of her turgid breasts wreak bloody havoc on these guys. Suddenly, these otherwise composed gentlemen become jelly-kneed, slack-jawed, and drooling blokes. This is as a result of the guys’ pheromones and not just the conditioning of their multiple playboy subscriptions.

Studies have shown that a waist-hip ratio of 0.7 (divide the measurement of the waist by that of the hips) is a key factor in making guys go gaga. This ratio indicates that a woman with a good build and a curvaceous frame triggers an alarm that is deeply programmed within the recesses of a man’s mind.
Women, too, are hardwired to appreciate certain good looks. Which babe does not like a masculine looking, macho-framed man with a square jaw, jutting brow, broad shoulders and a strong chest like the good old Marlboro man?

Symmetry also seems to play a large part in what we find appealing in a person’s physical features. Although we never consciously note that someone has good symmetry, it does make a subconscious impact. Our brain’s circuitry equates symmetrical features with good genes, general health and resistance to disease and hardship. Good symmetry represents something as close to perfection as a human face can get, but again, nobody has absolute symmetry.

Naturally, women are more attracted to men with symmetrical faces. This suggests that women are naturally drawn towards good-looking men, but before you decide that symmetry is indeed the best indicator of a good mate, consider the downside of it, which is that symmetrically-faced men are often times not the best bet for the long haul. They tend to have more sexual partners, are less faithful and do not commit as much to long-term relationships. They are, indeed, responding to their primal “duty” to spread their healthy seed far and wide. This becomes problematic for the modern woman since old habits die hard.

But thankfully, we aren’t totally driven by the need to cling to mere fine faced men. We are humans, not salmon, after all. While a lot of who we are attracted to has to do with how we feel about ourselves, we also, sometimes, cannot explain what happens; our chemistry just clicks with a fellow whom we ordinarily should not have been caught  with in bed. We, sometimes, assess our own worth, that is, physical good looks, smartness, intelligence among others, and seek someone who can balance out the equation.

We subconsciously evaluate how much we feel that we have to offer and what we feel we can get for what we have before we set our sights on a potential lover. Sometimes, our friends feel that we “undersell” or “underrate” ourselves and end up mismatched. We may say that so-and-so could do much better if it were not for low self-esteem, negative self-image, and so on.

Evolutionary psychologists say that while men seek out pretty, strong and fertile women, the babes seek secure, strong men with definite financial prospects. Although these qualities do have some bearing on who we choose for ourselves, we are cognitive and social beings who can squelch the primal attraction that may rear its beguiling head at inopportuned times. We can develop strong attractions for someone who has a sparkling personality, a dry wit, a capacity for caring and similar hobbies. We can become genuinely attracted to an individual’s quirks and eccentricities.

We all have our individual idea of what the perfect mate is and beauty standards vary the world over, but when we are instantly attracted to someone, our rational brain stops working and we are overtaken by the preliminary symptoms of passion-giddiness, weak knees, fluttery stomach, nervousness and sweaty palms among others.

Please, note that there are other things that affect how attractive we may find someone. We become increasingly attracted to someone as we spend more time with him or her. You may have probably experienced this with someone who made a negative first impression, but later proved to be intriguing or with someone who is shy and took a long time to reveal himself or herself.

Time often allows people to learn to appreciate and admire physical beauty that may not have been immediately striking. Intelligence, a sense of humour, interpersonal skills, and other talents may be slowly revealed over time to result in a strong attraction. We have all heard the phrase; “he/she has really grown on me.” By sticking around and fostering a slight attraction, you might be planting the seeds for a blossoming relationship with a very magnetic individual. Share