Having taste = shallow.... / Hating on attractive girls....

[Gravekeeper]

Except that the statement was an absolute, and we know that there are exceptions, meaning that it is wrong.

Ehhh, no offence but thats little nitpicky. You know what I meant. -.-

If anything the statement was a summary of the article and while it may be generalized, it is likely true for the majority.

You co-worker is a twit. There are lots of people I can agree are attractive but "not my thing." Which covers the vast majority of women and not just a few men.

No argument there. Just observing that I have never once had that particular conversation with a guy. But have had it with many female friends and coworkers. The female mind is detail oriented. The male mind is......decidedly not. I'm not very good at being a Guy(tm) myself so I can only work from my observations of both genders.

Men ask you if you think the forest is beautiful. Women ask you which trees in particular and why.

In my case, bodybuilders. There are some bodybuilders out there who have stunning physiques and the classic chiseled features, but I don't really go for buffed out guys, so they don't do anything for me. But I can certainly step back and see how, for someone who either liked or didn't dislike the look, they would be considered attractive or "hot".

I'm similar in regards to classic identifiers of the female physique. Its a matter of extremes I guess. Some people love a particular attribute and must maximize it ( Massive biceps, huge breasts, whatever ). Others find the extremes offputting and would perfer to stay within normal operating parameters.

[Racket_Man]

I'd have to actually agree with this, if there was a plain jane that was smart and shared many of my interests Vs a babe that scoffed at many things I liked and was an ass, I'd rather take the plain jane....

and that is type that I datedin HS/married. yeah there were the pretty ones, the cheerleaders/pompom girls, etc. but these ALL seemed to be out of my league.

one of my GFs was exactly the stereo-typical librarian type. quiet, not very attactive (in most eyes), unassuming and very plain. but for Jr./Sr. Prom she got a little "made up", nice prom dress and was stunning (so comfirmed by others who only knew her as a "plain jane")

There was one woman that I worked around. during the week she was all "made up" with tons of makeup, hiar done up nice,heels, short skirts, etc. one weekend I had to go into work to catch up on some projects. this woman was there also BUT without all of the "extras". VERY PLAIN in sweats and no extras (kinda ugly lookin IMHO)

[guywithashovel]

I'm a librarian, and after being in the profession for a while and going to a few librarian conferences, I can tell you there are some very nice looking ladies in this field.

[Boozy]

Agreed! My sister's a librarian, and she's beautiful. I'm not just saying that, either. It's almost always the first thing people say to me after meeting her.

[Shangri-laschild]

As for the looks test... the problem is in trying to *force* yourself into liking anyone. That person who isn't so great to look at on first glance might grow on you once you've gotten to know each other better, but then again maybe not.

"Dude, I know you like cars so I'll make a car analogy on your situation with women.

First off, dating a girl you're not all that attracted to just for the sake of dating someone sounds like a kind of crappy thing to do. If I ever found out a guy was dating me because he hadn't found anyone better who would take him yet, I'd kick his ass to the curb (possibly literally depending on how serious about things he may have seemed). Honestly, I would never flat out date someone who I wasn't interested in being friends with outside of the attraction. If you're not outright attracted to them, then no you shouldn't push yourself to be attracted to them or to try to start something more than friendship with them. But if you find them interesting and would enjoy hanging out with them, do so. If attraction will come, it will come. It all depends on how you're pursuing things. Leaving yourself open to later becoming attracted to someone is one thing. Only staying around them on the off chance that you might is different.

Secondly, there is nothing wrong with not settling. So long as you evaluate your standards and don't make them impossibly high. You don't want to be like those girls with the lists who expect a guy to live up to the list or it's a no go and miss other chances that they would have liked just as much if not more than the list guy. Prioritize what's important. Some things are deal breakers and it's ok to have those. But keep in mind what you could happily not mind given the right person and make sure not to miss chances because of it.

I've known a number of people of various attractiveness levels and if someone is hot but a complete ass, that's far more of a turn-off than if someone has a stellar personality but a crappy body type.

The opposite can also be true. I've met people who I wouldn't have thought were all that attractive just having seen them in photos without meeting or just seeing them in passing in a serious situation. But once you meet them in an environment where you can really see their personality, they are gorgeous. And no not in that "she's got a great personality" sort of way but in a physical way too.

[Silverharp]

I've seen this type of situation a LOT at DragonCon over the years, with people accusing the girls in the skimpy and almost-costumes as having daddy issues or being attention whores.
The best response I heard from a woman? "I dress this way because I LIKE to, not for your approval."
Hell, Mary (my wife) wouldn't go out with me for YEARS because I'm fat, and told me that she fet bad about it later. Yes, people are generally shallow when it comes to appearances, but one of the things that makes us human is the ability to get beyond that.

[guywithashovel]

As for people saying they'd rather have a "nerdy guy/girl" or an "Average Joe" or a "Plain Jane," here is what I've noticed.

In many cases, if a girl says she likes nerdy guys, she's usually thinking of a Brad Pitt lookalike wearing "smart person clothes" of some sort and sporting glasses. If a guy says he likes nerdy girls, he's usually picturing a Playboy model wearing glasses and a plain white blouse.

If the guy is saying he likes a "Plain Jane," he's typically referring to any of the models in Maxim minus the airbrushing and makeup. If a woman wants an "Average Joe," she probably wants Ryan Reynolds in jeans and a hoodie.

[Silverharp]

As for people saying they'd rather have a "nerdy guy/girl" or an "Average Joe" or a "Plain Jane," here is what I've noticed.

In many cases, if a girl says she likes nerdy guys, she's usually thinking of a Brad Pitt lookalike wearing "smart person clothes" of some sort and sporting glasses. If a guy says he likes nerdy girls, he's usually picturing a Playboy model wearing glasses and a plain white blouse.

I disagree. I've met plenty women, HOT women who really are looking for a guy that they can talk to. I've met women who are with average looking, geeky guys and who are genuinely happy because they have someone that they can relate to.
That, and the word is geeks make better lovers because they appreciate the women that they're with.
At least that's what I tell my wife

[guywithashovel]

I didn't mean to say that was always the case. It's just that, from what I've observed, what I posted in my earlier post is a trend (perhaps a slight trend) I've noticed.

[Boozy]

Most women who want "nerds" want a nerdy personality and intellect, but not the stereotypical nerdy appearance.

[AdminAssistant]

Or the nerdy interests or activities.

[HYHYBT]

I admit, given the ability to mix and match characteristics at will... I'll take nerdy personality and intellect in the body of "The Rock."

But I know it doesn't work that way.

[Gravekeeper]

I'll take nerdy personality and intellect in the body of "The Rock."

So in other words Vin Diesel? -.-

[HYHYBT]

Sure. But, again, I have the sense to know that 1) the combination is rare; 2) those with that combination would be in high demand and therefore, probably, unavailable; and 3) even aside from those, they'd be unlikely to be interested in me in return.

[Lace Neil Singer]

As for people saying they'd rather have a "nerdy guy/girl" or an "Average Joe" or a "Plain Jane," here is what I've noticed.

In many cases, if a girl says she likes nerdy guys, she's usually thinking of a Brad Pitt lookalike wearing "smart person clothes" of some sort and sporting glasses. If a guy says he likes nerdy girls, he's usually picturing a Playboy model wearing glasses and a plain white blouse.

If the guy is saying he likes a "Plain Jane," he's typically referring to any of the models in Maxim minus the airbrushing and makeup. If a woman wants an "Average Joe," she probably wants Ryan Reynolds in jeans and a hoodie.

Yeah, like guys who say they love the natural look... when in fact, what they THINK is the "natural look" is in fact a look that took hours and shitloads of makeup to achieve.