Beauty or beast?

[slowpoke]

So what constitutes beauty?
OK, it's 4:30 in the morning on nightshift offshore, I've finished my work, I've had a quick squiz at the "Tits or Arse" thread, and being 500km's from bikes beer or birds I'm feeling deprived of any beauty whatsoever until that fuggin' gorgeous Sikorsky rocks up in nearly two weeks time. Anyway, I've gotten all filis..philasof..fillasoph...thoughtful over what it is that attracts you to someone.
Some people do seem to be attracted to simply bewbs or bums, (pecs or butts for the gurrls) but to me it's neither...and both. I mean how can you say what is when two totally different versions of the same form are both stunning? A long, lithe, athletic body is fantastic...but a ripe lush curvy version can be just as alluring.
Then there is that indefinable something: a woman can be technically beautiful but concurrently unattractive and the opposite also applies, with someone not quite fitting the classic beauty stereotype but possessing that magnetism that draws your eyes to her.
Nicole Kidman is a classic case: she is classically beautiful yet she seems too cool and not particularly compelling, whereas a similarly slim Keira Knightley I find quite intriguing. Jennifer Lopez is a classic curvy latina beauty but she doesn't attract me, yet when curvy Nigella Lawson starts working her hands in that mixing bowl my knees turn to butter.
Even age is a hard one to categorise as no one optimum age seems to apply to everyone. It seems to be more a question of timing. Some people have that flash of beauty at a young age (Pamela Anderson before the surgery) while others seem to grow into it later in life. Lorraine Downs is a classic who I couldn't see the big deal about, but 20 years on I think she's quite something.
Then sometimes you just suprise yourself and go completely against your own norms. I don't mind tattoos but I've always thought they had to be tastefully done until I saw Kat von D off Miami/LA Ink on the Discovery channel. This girl is covered in them....yet somehow she pulls it off and then some.
So from a skinny 20-something Keira to a lush 40-something Nigella it's pretty obvious there is no standard beauty template in my book, except for my missus of course who after nearly 20 years Im still gobsmacked by. (both figuratively and literally).
So who does it for you, and can you actually say why?

Edit: the all brunette pic's are coincidental by the way....

[NZsarge]

:drool::drool::drool:Nigella!pure sex in the kitchen!, if she rode a Yamaha she would be the perfect woman!

[jonbuoy]

Bleah Nigella Lawson - she looks too much like her dad - those eyebrows... A woman can only be classed as beautifull if she's got the package - looks and personality. My 10c.

[marioc]

I used to be in love with Fenella whatshername from the 3.30pm bugs bunny show.
Oh those titties and she always used to wear a good low cut tight top.
Just the thing for a 16 year old lad after school. :rolleyes:

[ninjac]

I used to be in love with Fenella whatshername from the 3.30pm bugs bunny show.
Oh those titties and she always used to wear a good low cut tight top.
Just the thing for a 16 year old lad after school. :rolleyes:
I hear you buddy.
Did you see the show when her mellons fell out of her top?
I think it was a celeb game show!

[007XX]

I got a girl crush on this one...yes, I know predictable I guess, as half of the female population on Earth probably feels the same way.

But man, has she got everything or what???:drool:

She's smart, she's a humanitarian, she's beyond talented and of course she's unbelievably beautiful. And also, she likes knives like me...:devil2:

If there was ever someone I'd like to meet, she'd be the one...:yes:

[marioc]

who is that btw? that Brazilian chicky?

[Tank]

I got a girl crush on this one...yes, I know predictable I guess, as half of the female population on Earth probably feels the same way.

But man, has she got everything or what???:drool:

She's smart, she's a humanitarian, she's beyond talented and of course she's unbelievably beautiful. And also, she likes knives like me...:devil2:

If there was ever someone I'd like to meet, she'd be the one...:yes:

Better than that - I bet she is absolutely filthy :banana::banana::banana:

[007XX]

Better than that - I bet she is absolutely filthy :banana::banana::banana:

That goes without saying...although filthy is not quite what I would call it.
More like risky/naughty, open minded to new things and downright hot sexy...

ok, I'll stop now...:laugh:*

[jonbuoy]

I got a girl crush on this one...yes, I know predictable I guess, as half of the female population on Earth probably feels the same way.

But man, has she got everything or what???:drool:

She's smart, she's a humanitarian, she's beyond talented and of course she's unbelievably beautiful. And also, she likes knives like me...:devil2:

If there was ever someone I'd like to meet, she'd be the one...:yes:

Yeah she's got evil eyes though.

[Joni]

For me physical "beauty" has nothing to do with it - I am attracted to men who are passionate about and talented in what they do. Strength of character is a biggie too!

If you look at the men I think are hot, they are all strong and highly talented in some way or another...

[007XX]

Yeah she's got evil eyes though.

You say that like it's a bad thing...:laugh: It's actually a part of the attraction for me...got to have a bit of danger in the mix, otherwise it gets boring!



For me physical "beauty" has nothing to do with it - I am attracted to men who are passionate about and talented in what they do. Strength of character is a biggie too!

If you look at the men I think are hot, they are all strong and highly talented in some way or another...

Are you sure that physical beauty has got nothing to do with it? Don't get me wrong, I agree with you but only to a point.

What is the very first thing that'll get you interested in a person: the outside attributes. Then as you get to know them, you will discover the inside, the charisma, the intelligence, etc.

So not arguing , just interested in your point of view...:yes:

[Joni]

What is the very first thing that'll get you interested in a person: the outside attributes. Then as you get to know them, you will discover the inside, the charisma, the intelligence, etc.This is where you and I differ then.... yup I can appreciate an attractive person 100%, who does not... but what gets me interetsed is not that part of it... it will be the way they hold and play a guitar like its an extension of their body... or with my partner, his passion and drive for sidecar and motorcycle racing and that he will bend over backwards for the sport and to help anyone who needs help in the sport...

Without the passion and talent, they can be as attractive as they want to be, I wont be interested...

Its the drive in a persons character that makes me lift my head and say "hello"!

[Trudes]

it will be the way they hold and play a guitar like its an extension of their body...

yeah, like Eric Clapton, he's an ugly old fart, but there's just something about the way he plays his guitar that makes me go all tingly!:blank:

[007XX]

This is where you and I differ then.... yup I can appreciate a attractive person 100% who does not... but what gets me interetsed is not that part of it... it will be the way they hold and play a guitar like its an extension of their body... or with my partner, his passion and drive for sidecar and motorcycle racing and that he will bend over backwards for the sport and to help anyone who needs help in the sport...

Without the passion and talent, they can be as attractive as they want to be, I wont be interested...

Its the drive in a persons character that makes me lift my head and say "hello"!

No, no definitely...as I said I agree with you!

I'm so very much in love with my husband after almost 6 years together because of every single bits that makes his character. I often tell him how much I love his mind: he has an incredible memory, he is so very ethical, smart, funny and thoughful...and I could go on like that for ages! :o

And yeah, he is passionate about so many things that we actually share like our bike riding, snowboarding, camping...

What I meant is: at the very first glance you have of a person, if they are "aesthetically displeasing", your first reaction is unlikely to be one of interest. So beauty does play a part in the very first attraction.


Wether we like it or not, our minds are tuned to external beauty for us to choose a "mate", to reproduce...ie: animals in the wild with bright colours, blah, blah...

Now,what makes us different is the fact that we will look for way more to satisfy our demands on a suitable partner.
And hell yeah, without passion and talent, a person would be a vegetable, and I don't do those either :niceone:

[jrandom]

animals in the wild with bright colours...

Remarkable bird, innit, squire? Lovely plumage!

[007XX]

Remarkable bird, innit, squire? Lovely plumage!

Oh stop it, will ya! :laugh: I'm trying to have a serious conversation for once...:whistle:

[skelstar]

For me its a lot about how someone 'carries' themselves. I guess I could dumb it down a bit and say 'posture' but its a bit more than that. Theres a girl at work here, that is pretty and petite, but slouches and has bad posture. Not attractive in my book.

[ninjac]

Theres a girl at work here, that is pretty and petite, but slouches and has bad posture.

Hmm where you work?
I could try and straighten her out! :lol:

[skelstar]

Hmm where you work?
PM sent :niceone:









Disclaimer: PM actually not sent

[Trudes]

Yeah, you're Skelstar, not Pimpstar eh;)

[ninjac]

Disclaimer: PM actually not sent

I respect your choice. I could be a bad man for all you know!
Would you like some lollies?

[Curious_AJ]

Bleah Nigella Lawson - she looks too much like her dad - those eyebrows... A woman can only be classed as beautifull if she's got the package - looks and personality. My 10c.
not necessarily... I know tonnes of beautiful woman, they're not incredibly good looking, but their love for everyone and everything really shows through, they glow.. that's what I would find beautiful, you don't need the looks, but the personality enables them to look better.. if you know what i mean...


I got a girl crush on this one...yes, I know predictable I guess, as half of the female population on Earth probably feels the same way.

But man, has she got everything or what???:drool:

She's smart, she's a humanitarian, she's beyond talented and of course she's unbelievably beautiful. And also, she likes knives like me...:devil2:

If there was ever someone I'd like to meet, she'd be the one...:yes:
omg.. i agree... GIRL CRUSH!!! also on that girl umm.. whats her name... chloe from smallville... (I cant remember her real name.. though I think its allison mack... oh wait.. yeah) ALLISON MACK!

For me physical "beauty" has nothing to do with it - I am attracted to men who are passionate about and talented in what they do. Strength of character is a biggie too!

If you look at the men I think are hot, they are all strong and highly talented in some way or another...
kudos! that's definately something that attracts me to a man.. if they have goals, ambitions, dreams.. as i said before with the women, their personality allows them to look better in my eyes.. if you got a "good looking" yet downtrodden, unenthusiastic person who doesnt put in any effort.. they're just not good looking to me...


yeah, like Eric Clapton, he's an ugly old fart, but there's just something about the way he plays his guitar that makes me go all tingly!:blank:
hehe, same with jimmi page for me.. he's not the "good looking" stereotype.. but SHYTE!! *melts* ... looked good then AND now!
<img src="http://www.lo-zywiec.pl/~pawel/gitara/images/page1.jpg">

I respect your choice. I could be a bad man for all you know!
Would you like some lollies?
lol...

[jonbuoy]

That was my point - the original post was about looks only - that looks alone don't make a woman beautiful was my point. Its got to be the whole package. People can grow on you but if theres no spark theres no spark you can't grow that.

[ynot slow]

yeah, like Eric Clapton, he's an ugly old fart, but there's just something about the way he plays his guitar that makes me go all tingly!:blank:

Man there were heaps of women like you at his concert lol.Especially when his trade mark wonderfull tonight was sung,was worth all the money spent to go.

Define beauty-some people it's the ability to hold a conversation (whilst pissed),then maybe looks come into play,generally if the conversation is not interesting the physical side won't be,no matter how perfect they seem lookswise.

[Trudes]

Nah can't be arsed with all that dribbly soppy shit, cocain rocks!!

[scumdog]

Mehh, she might seem quirky or similar to those who have met her but I can't look past CB - character and insanity combined with a great set of norks - AND she loves me, bikes and V8s too AND can cook - perfect!!!

Oh, and spark - shee-it, she's a truckload of THAT for me!!

[scumdog]

For me its a lot about how someone 'carries' themselves. I guess I could dumb it down a bit and say 'posture' but its a bit more than that. Theres a girl at work here, that is pretty and petite, but slouches and has bad posture. Not attractive in my book.

Might be terminal - she might smoke too......

[Skyryder]

Beauty? What the eye perceives to be true is what the conventions of the culture dictate.

The general concepts of beauty in our culture has been defined through America movies. Prior to the advent on moving films the ideal woman of beauty was firmly rounded. Anyone who has seen the so called penny arcade photos of woman circa (1880-1910) will have noticed that these ladies or most of them would what we would call today as buxom. They were the ‘turn-on’ in their day. This was and still is in many males the ideal form of beauty. It derived from the old European traditions and had much to do with, for practical reasons, warmth at night; the idea that the bigger the woman the warmer she was in bed.

This ideal of beauty was never considered by the female aristocracy who for various reasons, not the least, to be different from the ‘masses’ prostitutes, barmaids etc whom the men seem to prefer to their own class.

With the ending of the Great War and the destruction of European monarchies and their attendant aristocrats the mix changed. Slender and economy along with mass producing of garments assisted with the new ideal of beauty. Gone was the ‘frump’ and the ‘slapper’ was the new ‘bonk.’ To put this crudely men liked their woman racy and the American image has been thus ever since.

[Bullitt]

Dont understand the attraction with Angelina Jolie. Sure she has a good body but so do lots of women and shes madas a hatter and her lips make her face all out of proportion.

I have no idea what makes a woman attractive, all I know is I like it when I see it. There isnt really any common trend with my ex's other than I found them attractive.

Is it Fiona Anderson your talking about on the bugs bunny show? I was reading an old FHM at a mates place the other day and theres a girls on the couch segment where they talk to a group of chicks about masturbation and theres a TV presenter called Fiona who Im sure is her. Not as hot as I remember but still interesting seeing kids tv presenters talking about playing with themselves:bleh:

[scumdog]

Jamie-Lee Curtis - always does it for me - what about you other not-so-young KBers??

[Toaster]

yeah, like Eric Clapton, he's an ugly old fart, but there's just something about the way he plays his guitar that makes me go all tingly!:blank:

Same here (I love his creativity and talent for guitar and music that is). Spent a long time many years ago teaching myself to play some of his songs.... he is a true guitar legend!

[Toaster]

Beauty to me is looking in her eyes seeing so much depth, years of moments shared together, deep understanding, caring and sacrifice in action. Then she smiles and says to me......

..........Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

[slowpoke]

Beauty? What the eye perceives to be true is what the conventions of the culture dictate.

The general concepts of beauty in our culture has been defined through America movies. Prior to the advent on moving films the ideal woman of beauty was firmly rounded. Anyone who has seen the so called penny arcade photos of woman circa (1880-1910) will have noticed that these ladies or most of them would what we would call today as buxom. They were the ‘turn-on’ in their day. This was and still is in many males the ideal form of beauty. It derived from the old European traditions and had much to do with, for practical reasons, warmth at night; the idea that the bigger the woman the warmer she was in bed.

This ideal of beauty was never considered by the female aristocracy who for various reasons, not the least, to be different from the ‘masses’ prostitutes, barmaids etc whom the men seem to prefer to their own class.

With the ending of the Great War and the destruction of European monarchies and their attendant aristocrats the mix changed. Slender and economy along with mass producing of garments assisted with the new ideal of beauty. Gone was the ‘frump’ and the ‘slapper’ was the new ‘bonk.’ To put this crudely men liked their woman racy and the American image has been thus ever since.

Hmmmm, that may be the theory but in practice it doesn't seem to work that way. We have women like Cate Blanchett who's nose is too big, her mouth is too wide and there are few curves to speak of yet she is stunning. Natalie Portman has an almost elf-like beauty. Neither of these women are overtly "racy" in the sterotypical American mold yet they are both stunning.
As people have suggested the person's emotional/personal/moral makeup seems to have a lot to do with how attracted we are to someone. It's no coincidence that I like the small amount of the personality displayed by the women I mentioned above.
So there's another question: do you have to like someone to find them attractive, or does it just help?

Edit: looking at the below pic's I can't help but think the eyes are the key.....

[slowpoke]

Jamie-Lee Curtis - always does it for me - what about you other not-so-young KBers??

You'll be old enough to remember "WKRP in Cincinatti", mate....Loni Anderson was the stereoptypical blonde buxom bombshell (Jennifer) but it was always the understated Jan Smithers (Bailey) who held my teenage hormones hostage.

[skelstar]

So there's another question: do you have to like someone to find them attractive, or does it just help?
Definitely not. I know nothing much about, say Rachel Weisz, but think she is gorgeous. Perhaps it does help to see said beauty in movies playing roles that endears them to us?

I'm sure that the girls would feel this way with actors like Harrison Ford/Sean Connery etc ... handsome, yes, secret service/adventurer probably helps too.

<img src="http://upload.moldova.org/movie/actors/r/rachel_weisz/thumbnails/tn2_rachel_weisz_4.jpg">

[Skyryder]

Without 'allure' there is no beauty.

Skyyrder

[Joni]

Without 'allure' there is no beauty.Mmmm, Chanel Allure is one of my favourite perfumes! :sunny:

:dodge:

[Laava]

That was my point Its got to be the whale package.
Must admit, I've been attracted to the occasional plus size too! Boom chick a whaa whaa!:banana:

[Skyryder]

Jamie-Lee Curtis - always does it for me - what about you other not-so-young KBers??

Na not my type SD. Too bony looking. Oldies hhmmmmmmm. Juliet Prowse, Ann Margurette, man what I'd given to get squeezed by those legs. Always had a soft spot for Liz Taylor.

Skyryder

[skelstar]

Always had a soft spot for Liz Taylor.
Reckon at a 150 yrs old she would have a few soft spots too...

[ynot slow]

Reckon at a 150 yrs old she would have a few soft spots too...

Yes and part of it is jacko's nose and all that shit:headbang:

[Skyryder]

Hmmmm, that may be the theory but in practice it doesn't seem to work that way. We have women like Cate Blanchett who's nose is too big, her mouth is too wide and there are few curves to speak of yet she is stunning. Natalie Portman has an almost elf-like beauty. Neither of these women are overtly "racy" in the sterotypical American mold yet they are both stunning.
As people have suggested the person's emotional/personal/moral makeup seems to have a lot to do with how attracted we are to someone. It's no coincidence that I like the small amount of the personality displayed by the women I mentioned above.
So there's another question: do you have to like someone to find them attractive, or does it just help?

Edit: looking at the below pic's I can't help but think the eyes are the key.....

I do think you are right about the eyes. Personaly I don't think Blanchet is an attractive woman although she does know how to make the best use of her features.

Liking may have something to do with finding someone 'attractive' but I think it is the reverse. Finding someone attractive will assist in you 'liking' them, at least in the first instance. The first thing I notice and that's both with male or female is the body movement. Posture and mannerisms for the want of another word. That's the defining feature for me with beauty. It's not necessarily a 'chemistry' connection but with the opposite sex it usually is from a visual point of view at least.

[Skyryder]

Reckon at a 150 yrs old she would have a few soft spots too...

I met her once. Cold cold eyes.

[MotoGirl]

Dont understand the attraction with Angelina Jolie. Sure she has a good body but so do lots of women and shes madas a hatter and her lips make her face all out of proportion.
Hallelujah to that! I think she's a bit of a bushpig. Same goes for Cameron Diaz 'cause I just don't get why people think she's hot :spudwhat:
I like 'em tall, dark and handsome but if they've got personality I can probably waive the handsome bit :done:

[MotoGirl]

Jamie-Lee Curtis - always does it for me - what about you other not-so-young KBers??

Speaking of not-so-young people, I think Michelle Pfeiffer is a particularly attractive woman.

[Patch]

Mrs. S. Stone has still got what it takes, more than that fugly A. Jolie.

I prefer some of our local girls tho, not some hyped-up snotty nosed bi'arch - but then again - they are present here as well :dodge:

[007XY]

Remarkable bird, innit, squire? Lovely plumage!

..the plumage don't enter into it.. it's stone dead!! funny stuff but ironically very comparable to this discussion..ie someone can be very physically beautiful, but without that 'spirit' they're just not attractive.. an example for me is Denise Richards.. voted the most beautiful by some mag, but for me personally she doesn't have spark. Now a good example of spark for the girls is Shaun Connery .. even at his age he still makes the girls 'gaga' .. thats technical talk btw.

[007XY]

Jamie-Lee Curtis - always does it for me - what about you other not-so-young KBers??

Ah yes Jamie Lee.. in the strip tease scene when she did 'true lies' with big Arnie.. he wasn't supposed to drop the tape player:gob:.. nuf said!!

[007XY]

And yeah, he is passionate about so many things that we actually share like our bike riding, snowboarding, camping...


did someone mention snowboarding?? damn the season's finished:oi-grr:

[scumdog]

Ah yes Jamie Lee.. in the strip tease scene when she did 'true lies' with big Arnie.. he wasn't supposed to drop the tape player:gob:.. nuf said!!

Probably about the same time as I was uttering a low gurgling Homer Simpson type drool..Jaaamiee Leee, arghhhllll:drool:

[slowpoke]

Mrs. S. Stone has still got what it takes, more than that fugly A. Jolie.

I prefer some of our local girls tho, not some hyped-up snotty nosed bi'arch - but then again - they are present here as well :dodge:

Mmmmmmmmmmm Sharon......

Another lady who has aged beautifully is Kim Basinger. I actually find her more attractive now that she isn't trying so hard to be sexy, still hot as hell though. Alec Baldwin is a putz!

So who is a favourite on the local scene?

[Skyryder]

Mmmmmmmmmmm Sharon......

Another lady who has aged beautifully is Kim Basinger. I actually find her more attractive now that she isn't trying so hard to be sexy, still hot as hell though. Alec Baldwin is a putz!

So who is a favourite on the local scene?

Local scene as in Kiwi land??

Skyryder

[slowpoke]

Local scene as in Kiwi land??

Skyryder

Yeah, getting away from the plastic fantastic Hollywood honeys who is a fave in New Zealand?

[Laava]

Shevaughn Ruakere.
Toni Marsh!

[smoky]

I got a girl crush on this one...yes, I know predictable I guess, as half of the female population on Earth probably feels the same way.

But man, has she got everything or what???:drool:

She's smart, she's a humanitarian, she's beyond talented and of course she's unbelievably beautiful. And also, she likes knives like me...:devil2:

If there was ever someone I'd like to meet, she'd be the one...:yes:

whats her name then?

[Skyryder]

Yeah, getting away from the plastic fantastic Hollywood honeys who is a fave in New Zealand?

My Mrs for me. All others are second best.


Skyryder

[007XX]

whats her name then?

who cares when she looks at you in such a way???? :laugh:


My Mrs for me. All others are second best.


Skyryder

Best answer so far...:sunny: ::first: