When does attraction start?

[rory]

Originally Posted by rory

I have LOVED Angelina since a little girl when I saw her in Girl, Interrupted. There are so many levels of hot in her, how she looks is definitely not the biggest thing for me. She usually plays really interesting characters and is a very talented actress and that's why I like her.

Remembering this inspired me to get an avatar!

[River]

Originally Posted by TruckerPete

I need to get to know the vast majority of men before any sort of attraction develops ... I have to hear them speak, see their attitude and personality before they become attractive. Now sometimes I may not need to see very much, but it's still a necessity. AFTER I see a personality I enjoy, my mind begins to notice physical attributes I like. This escalates, depending on the level of the relationship.

[....]

Give me a traditionally HAWT man with a crummy personality, and I'll show you someone that I have no interest in. It does go to the point of affecting sexual desire. [....]

Now women on the other hand ... I will immediately find a woman attractive! In terms of the strangers I check out, women make up 95%. Women tend to work backwards, if I find them immediately attractive. (If I don't find them immediately attractive, they follow the same path as a man.)

I recently read an article about some supposed "scientific" research which quasi-demonstrated that men who identify as bisexual are not really bisexual -- and it's scientific!

The study involved placing sensors on self-identified bi men's genitals and "measuring" attraction. Then -- get this -- the men were "exposed" porn of two types, one with man/men (with no women) and the other with women/woman (without men). Most of the self-identified bi men physically -- and measurably -- responded to the male erotica; and most did not so respond to the female erotica.

This was supposed to more-or-less discredit male bisexuality in humans. As if there couldn't be more going on in attraction / difference.

[Tonberry]

I'm not sure it's necessary that accurate... I knew a bisexual guy who told me that male/male and male/female porn did it for him, but not female/female porn because he had nobody to identify with. And similarly male/male porn does nothing at all for me, yet I'm very straight.

I would have found it more interesting if they had shown pictures of individuals, some male, some female, and analyzed the reactions to that.

[Kay]

I agree with a lot that has been said here. Looks are looks. Someone maybe very hansom/beautiful but that will only go so far with me. After all if some one if easy on the eyes but treats me poorly then why stay around. How ever in the past I have been known to fall hard and fast and what at first I find to be a winning personality turns out to be not so much after some time. (I am trying to lern how to slow down and let people get to know me and I them before falling totaly head over heels) For me to say that looks have nothing to do with attraction would not be altogether true but for the most part it is a over all deal with me. I can look at some one and think he/she is cute or sexy but untill I get to know them the connection does not go much beyond that. Still a good laugh and a loving smile doesn't hurt and typing by computer light only sucks just found this out

[Morningglory629]

Originally Posted by redpepper

We both agreed that a big confident smile and face as well as intelligence, or at least the desire to act intellegently was more attractive than anything else.

Really though, there is a rush of energy when I know I have found someone I connect with. I recognize it immediately. Whether I act on it depends on time and circumstance now though as I get that rush often.

RP I must agree here. I do not think I have a "body" type but I really go for masculine men- they can have just about any body type or look but self assuredness, a bit of swagger and inner strength are huge turn-ons. Confidence in their own sexuality is key. I definitely fall for the mind first, so outward beauty while appreciated doesn't turn my head. Attraction for me starts with a spark of mutual connection -that aha moment of damn this person is interesting, if there is a connection intellectually and emotionally (which takes a bit of time) the physical compatibility part seals the deal. That's for men.

While I would call myself heteroflexible- some attraction, I have no real experience with female lovers- only one. I am attracted to a certain body type in females but I have never really emotionally connected in a sexual way with a woman, so I would say those waters are quite untested for me.