What is "Good Looking"?

Dave147

Just read something there in of all places the Daily Mirror, however its been awhile since I read something so insightful.

"Too many men and women feel dissatisfied as they compare themselves to an exaggerated image of what is good looking".

I have to admit to feeling this way sometimes, deep down I know I'm a good looking guy but whatever imperfections I have bring me down and the media are to blame! On the otherhand its made me do something about it by joining the gym. So there's pros and cons I suppose. Anybody else feel this way?

onemorechance

Smiling, laughing and generally looking happy!

shellyboo

Dave147 wrote: »

"Too many men and women feel dissatisfied as they compare themselves to an exaggerated image of what is good looking".

Shocking revelation from the Daily Mirror there.

Dave147 wrote: »

I have to admit to feeling this way sometimes, deep down I know I'm a good looking guy but whatever imperfections I have bring me down and the media are to blame! On the otherhand its made me do something about it by joining the gym. So there's pros and cons I suppose. Anybody else feel this way?

I'd say pretty much every woman on the planet who's ever been exposed to any kind of media feels this way! It's becoming more of an issue for men as well, where men are being used more and more in advertising - take the Calvin Klein, Aero Bubbles ads for example.

On a positive note, it's starting to come to light now that most images in media are manipulated to the point of being not remotely realistic anymore. Doesn't really stop men and women feeling inferior... but it's something you can console yourself with at times! Also part of the reason why those Worst Dressed and horrible Ring of Shame pages in the rag mags are so popular - it's consoling to know that celebs and models are unattractive sometimes too.

LivingDeadGirl

What is good looking? Subjective

SRFC90

seanybiker

I dont worry. I know Im gorgeous. Ha ha even I laughed bout that.

'warning cliche time'
Personality is the most attractive thing in my book.

Otis Driftwood

Literally,someone or something that elicits a pleasant feeling when gazing upon it.

Based on society/media good looking is a near impossible to reach ideal that the vast majority of people can not or never will achieve.

Personally speaking good looking can be something like a girl with slightly out of control hair hanging in her eyes,a smile that lights up her face,kind eyes,a look that she gets when heavily concentrating or any number of other things.

Basically for regular people good looking is what you want it to be.

Dave147

Yeah I agree ned, but feel the media have basically forced upon us an opinion of good looking, and that is air brushed models posing half naked with a seductive gaze, male and female.. And most normal people buy into it. For me, it's about the X-factor (not the TV show) just something the girl has that I can't quite put my finger on, she doesn't need to be a model or anything.

But I think it's normal for people to not be happy with themselves, for instance my OH was a model back home, to me she is the most beautiful thing in the world, but she can't see it herself, she is always on about something about her which she doesn't like. So maybe good looks are subjective, and when you're attracted to someone, the flaws which we see in ourselves are endearing features to somebody else. That's the only way I can justify her being with me, she loves my flaws!

I dunno... anyone got any better idea's?

gwhiz

SRFC90 wrote: »

Sweet Jesus.... is that fcuking belly for real ???? couldn't be :eek:

allabouteve

The real definition of good looking is whatever you find attractive yourself.

There are some nearly universal truths, but most people have some special quality of their own that will resonate with someone else.

IanCurtis

Dave147 wrote: »

deep down I know I'm a good looking guy

This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read.

Dave147

IanCurtis wrote: »

This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read.

Maybe you should read more? Why is it ridiculous? I know I'm not ugly, yet feel **** sometimes, nothing strange about that, I'm just not afraid to admit it. Muppet.

well im attracted to tall men who wear glasses.. the slightly nerdy kind.....i think what you find good looking is very individual...most people rate a lovely smile and kind eyes but after that its very varied

Ollchailin

Good looking doesn't always have to do with initial looks- I mean, it can happen that you know of someone or are friends with someone who you wouldn't have been physically attracted to, and then something changes- and suddenly you can't understand why you didn't always think that person was the best looking person in the world.

It's like as if because you've become attracted to their personality, you've started to be attracted to their looks.

SeekUp

allabouteve wrote: »

The real definition of good looking is whatever you find attractive yourself.

Ollchailin wrote: »

Good looking doesn't always have to do with initial looks- I mean, it can happen that you know of someone or are friends with someone who you wouldn't have been physically attracted to, and then something changes- and suddenly you can't understand why you didn't always think that person was the best looking person in the world.

It's like as if because you've become attracted to their personality, you've started to be attracted to their looks.

I'd tend to agree with both of you . . . still, I saw this thing on one of those newsmagazine shows a while ago about attractiveness. Apparently, some research has shown that while certain people are obviously more attracted to certain physical characteristics, there are some things that caused almost everyone to deem certain people attractive. Things like symmetry and the distance between certain facial features . . .

I'll try to see if I can find a clip . . .

Wibbs

Dave147 warned for the muppet comment. Iancurtis ease up on the stirring.

entropi

gwhiz wrote: »

Sweet Jesus.... is that fcuking belly for real ???? couldn't be :eek:

It looks real alright, but superficial people will only see that, most others...they will look for his eyes, the natural smile he has and the fact he is outdoors with such a belly shows he is happy in his own skin...something alot of women would go for.

To me, good looking is a feature/s on a woman that i find appealing, attractiveness though is a whole different kettle of fish.

Wibbs

I think of it like great art. I can describe great art to someone else, but in the end of the day, I know it when I see it.

Leprachaun

SRFC90 wrote: »

I really really wanna pop that.

GirlInterrupted

Master of Nothing wrote: »

To me, good looking is a feature/s on a woman that i find appealing, attractiveness though is a whole different kettle of fish.

You're right. When you like someone and get to know more of them, their attractiveness grows.

moe_sizlak

Leprachaun wrote: »

I really really wanna pop that.

looks more like a smaller version of one of LOLA FERRARI,s boobs

pikachucheeks

Dave147 wrote: »

"Too many men and women feel dissatisfied as they compare themselves to an exaggerated image of what is good looking".

...the media are to blame!...

shellyboo wrote: »

I'd say pretty much every woman on the planet who's ever been exposed to any kind of media feels this way! It's becoming more of an issue for men as well, where men are being used more and more in advertising - take the Calvin Klein, Aero Bubbles ads for example.

The media have completely warped people's perceptions of beauty.
It's disgusting.
I think it's horrible, the amount of pressure that's put on men and women, to fit a certain look or look a certain way.

I think "good looking" is totally subjective - it's not about being blonde, having a certain colour eyes, being a certain dress size or having a six pack ; Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

'the media' haven't forced anything on anyone, people consume it willingly. If they didn't 'the media' would very quickly go out of business, if you're looking for someone to blame you don't have to look any further than that beautiful person in the mirror.

Porkpie

What is good looking? This



What's bad looking? This



Simple as that really

Agent Smith

A great expression is, one man's meat is another mans Posion.

Take lilly allen. Personally she doesnt do it for me. A friend of mine would crawl over hot coals for her. Sophie Ellis bextor, now to me she's beautiful, but to others, she does nothing for them

What is Good looking?

I'm good looking; I am the essence of overconfidence! I am speculation, adventure; the spirit of pursuit; the stag howling for its winsome yet anonymous mate. I am the
love call of evolution; the perfume and color of the flowers as they offer
their pollen to the gentle buzz of the bees. I am sex itself,Ladies and gentlemen.
I am life. I am appetite!

winking weber

good looking = someone who gives pleasure when looked upon.

'Good Looking' can change from person to person. But what is on the outside is still only half of it. I would consider the most beautiful girl in the world ugly if she had a bad personality.

Looks degenerate with age, personality never does.

pbody1985

good looking = pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

Volvoboy

I'm a ride.

pikachucheeks

Agent Smith wrote: »

Sophie Ellis bextor, now to me she's beautiful, but to others, she does nothing for them

I think she's beautiful!

She has such quirky features.

Leprachaun

Deleted User wrote: »

Looks degenerate with age, personality never does.

It does if you get Alzheimer's.

AnonoBoy

Watching a beach volleyball match in the afternoon sun.... now that's some good looking.

bigeasyeah

Anything is pretty after 15 pints of beer.woo!

zoey

Ollchailin wrote: »

Good looking doesn't always have to do with initial looks- I mean, it can happen that you know of someone or are friends with someone who you wouldn't have been physically attracted to, and then something changes- and suddenly you can't understand why you didn't always think that person was the best looking person in the world.

It's like as if because you've become attracted to their personality, you've started to be attracted to their looks.

Definately agree with this! If I had seen a photo of my boyfriend before I knew him I wouldn't have given him a second glance but the first time I met him, saw his mannerisms and personality I was really attracted to him and now I think he's gorgeous!

Amy33

When we broke up last July, my ex told me I didn't have the "wow factor", critisised my hair, clothes, told me I didn't know how to be sexy, you name it. I'm 32 and he's 43...

Since then, I've stopped socialising and hate looking in the mirror. Be very, very careful when you comment on someone's appearance because in one single conversation you can destroy a person's confidence.

I'll never know why he spoke to me in that way, it wasn't a messy breakup and I hadn't done anything wrong like be unfaithful...

Fluorescence

trish990 wrote: »

When we broke up last July, my ex told me I didn't have the "wow factor", critisised my hair, clothes, told me I didn't know how to be sexy, you name it. I'm 32 and he's 43...

Since then, I've stopped socialising and hate looking in the mirror. Be very, very careful when you comment on someone's appearance because in one single conversation you can destroy a person's confidence.

I'll never know why he spoke to me in that way, it wasn't a messy breakup and I hadn't done anything wrong like be unfaithful...

He's a piece of trash. Anyone who can be this horrible to someone isn't worth the time you took to type about it. I'm sure you do have a wow factor, he was just to blind to see it :P Different strokes for different folks, right?

JC 2K3

Can't believe no one's mentioned the golden ratio yet:

http://www.intmath.com/Numbers/mathOfBeauty.php

It's nice and idealistic to say that attractiveness is 100% subjective, but that's not reality. People simply have subjective preferences for those who fall into the objetively good looking category. It's not a case of "one man's meat is another man's poison", it's more like people have preferences for which meats they prefer, perhaps they won't even like some kinds of meat very much, but they will almost all avoid the poison.

Wibbs

Beauty seems to boil down to an external expression of reproductive fitness. And averageness and symmetry plug into that. Overly strong features are not considered beautiful(though moreso in men). In women, small jaw and nose, big eyes, full lips, large forehead, essentially "baby" type features are considered on average more beautiful(makeup accentuates these features, especially big eyes). Stands to reason as they are signs of high oestrogen levels during development. In men, strong jaw, and squarer more robust face are signs of high testosterone levels during development so considered more attractive if present. Clear skin seems to be consistent worldwide as a sign of good looks. Logical again as it shows lack of parasites, some diseases and youth. The latter particularly in women as with a more finite fertile period, youth is more selected. In men status has more of an effect. While beauty is tied in with fashion and culture(especially levels of body fat in women), studies have shown that when people from very different cultures are shown groups from other cultures they can point out the most attractive in those groups, even if they aren't what their culture goes for generally.

Other studies have shown that couples show a very strong bias for ending up with people at their "level" of beauty and attractiveness. "10's" end up with other "10's" and "3's" end up with "3's" kinda thing. Male status does throw it somewhat though. So a rich/powerful/famous male 6 can end up with a female 10.

It's way more complex than just that though. Culture and individual experiences(even our immune system choices) plug into our own personal mind map of what we individually call beauty. The eye of the beholder stuff. But to deny that there are levels of good looking I think would be wishful thinking.

Gemini Sister

Wibbs wrote: »

Beauty seems to boil down to an external expression of reproductive fitness. And averageness and symmetry plug into that. Overly strong features are not considered beautiful(though moreso in men). In women, small jaw and nose, big eyes, full lips, large forehead, essentially "baby" type features are considered on average more beautiful(makeup accentuates these features, especially big eyes). Stands to reason as they are signs of high oestrogen levels during development. In men, strong jaw, and squarer more robust face are signs of high testosterone levels during development so considered more attractive if present. Clear skin seems to be consistent worldwide as a sign of good looks. Logical again as it shows lack of parasites, some diseases and youth. The latter particularly in women as with a more finite fertile period, youth is more selected. In men status has more of an effect. While beauty is tied in with fashion and culture(especially levels of body fat in women), studies have shown that when people from very different cultures are shown groups from other cultures they can point out the most attractive in those groups, even if they aren't what their culture goes for generally.

Other studies have shown that couples show a very strong bias for ending up with people at their "level" of beauty and attractiveness. "10's" end up with other "10's" and "3's" end up with "3's" kinda thing. Male status does throw it somewhat though. So a rich/powerful/famous male 6 can end up with a female 10.

It's way more complex than just that though. Culture and individual experiences(even our immune system choices) plug into our own personal mind map of what we individually call beauty. The eye of the beholder stuff. But to deny that there are levels of good looking I think would be wishful thinking.

Telling it like it is there Wibbs!

For me, a guy can dramatically up his hotness by having a fit body, because for people born without mega-genes, very good health (toned, good skin, posture) can make up for alot. But real beauty is jaw dropping. I saw it on the street the other day, this seven foot tall black girl walked down the road and every man stopped and stared, and their girlfriends! But lucky for the rest of us, that kind of beauty is very rare. Charles Bukowski, a writer, observed that if you look around you, on the street, in a super market queue, most people are pretty horrific looking, for some reason I find that comforting!
Where beauty is a bonus is as people age. Any girl can look fab at seventeen (with good presentation), but to look good at sixty you need bone structure.