[atskitty2]

What is it that draws us to a person and makes us want to partner with them long term?

Obviously, we look for physical attributes that appeal to us.
What is it specifically that draws you, beyond that?
Mannerisms?
Is it common interests?
Common goals?

There's something I read once that indicated people with wealth are more attractive.
Would that influence your attraction, do you think?

Someone who has a sexual reputation? Attractive or repelling?

Are we attempting to have our needs met in a relationship or are there other objectives in the dating game?

Widen the discussion please. I'd like to hear your own experiences and thoughts, theories. We can chat about evolutionary biology or any angle you'd like to approach.

[amy40]

don't know but can totally understand why 70-80 % of divorces are initiated by women

[atskitty2]

Why can you understand that, amy? In context of this topic?

[amy40]

I read above recently after also reading that single women are happiest and married women least happiest
men are happier in marriage than women

women maybe go into marriage more optimistic
and women change and evolve

I don't think men do (change and evolve that is)

I think it is harder for the woman in a marriage
so the women/men may be compatible at first but then it gets harder as the years go by (for the woman)

[amy40]

it's almost like men do what they need to do to "catch" a woman but then they settle in the comfortableness of being married

[jns]

it's almost like men do what they need to do to "catch" a woman but then they settle in the comfortableness of being married

Not unlike the animal kingdom in many cases.

[atskitty2]

So you think men sort of fake compatible characteristics until marriage?

[a_dub]

Beyond physical appearance, I find women who are intelligent very attractive. I don't find myself getting intimidated by a woman who is smarter or even more successful than me. I do however, get intimidated by very attractive women. Weird I know.

For some reason, I also don't find wit that attractive in females. Not that its unattractive, but it doesn't do anything for me. I do find an outspoken and sassy woman attractive.

Personality wise, a caring thoughtful girl is always appealing and a whining always-complaining-about-something attitude is deeply annoying even if she is attractive physically.

[amy40]

So you think men sort of fake compatible characteristics until marriage?

it works both ways
i.e. the woman who "pretends" to love football but really doesn't

I know more than one women who have "two voices" , a sweet lilting voice for people they are trying to impress and then their real voice

[amy40]

kitty....guess I think of my parents, no idea how they got together as they have never seemed compatible to me
my guess it was total physical attraction only