YOUR-SAY

PERSONALITY OR PHYSICAL ATTRACTION?

When you meet someone for the first time, there are some things that you notice about them, like the way they dress, their body, their face's beauty, their hair, height… Basically, their appearance. It’s the first thing that we see in the first time, even before they say a word. It’s normal because, of course, we don’t see a person and know at the moment how their personality is; they don’t have a piece of paper stuck in their head that says how their personality is. So, we only see their physical appearance and we don’t know anything about their personality. In that point, some people ask: should we focus on the physical appearance over their personality? Or vice versa?

We are living in a society where someone’s appearance it’s very important. Also, our idea of beauty may be a bit unconsciously marked by the media: Internet, television, magazines… Although we all have an own opinion of beauty, the most of the people have quite the same idea, which is the one that says the media. For example, the prototype of the perfect women nowadays is slim, tall but with boobs and butt (called the 90-60-60). Of course, not for every men and women this is the perfection, but that’s what the media tells us. Also, we took as an example the celebrities; a lot of celebrities are recognized as being “the most beautiful people in the world”. For example, people like Angelia Jolie, Brad Pitt, Emma Watson… We have also lists that rank the celebrities based only on their looks. Because the appearance is the most important thing, right? That’s what they try to say to us. Well, I guess people have a tendency to be very superficial.

Talking about love, when you are searching for your “soul mate”, a good personality should definitely be at the top of your list. Of course you would like to have a partner that you are physically attracted to. Who wouldn’t want that? But you shouldn’t be in a relationship with somebody only because of their look. Remember that the outside beauty doesn’t last forever; the inner beauty does (well, yes, a person’s personality can change through the years but, normally, we have an own personality, and it doesn’t change that much as time passes). For example, let’s suppose that you marry a very handsome man or a beautiful woman but not intelligent at all. Yes, you have a hot partner at home, but you can’t hold an intelligent conversation with him. How cool, right?

In my opinion, I think that both of them are important. That people who say that only the personality matters… Well, I’m not totally agreeing with them. I think that, although having a good personality (or a personality that you find cool) it’s such an important thing, so is feeling attracted to your partner. Although, I have to recognize that there are people in the world that can be in love with a person only because of his or her personality. But, normally, for the most of the people, it’s necessary both of things. Also, there are people who are in a relationship with somebody only because “he/she is hot”. For me, this isn’t true love, it’s just physical attraction. And yes, you can have fun with them if they want you too, but I think that it isn’t good to start a relationship without feelings. So, as I said before, for me, both of them are important: you have to like that person in all ways; you have to love him or her inside and outside.

But now, let’s be honest. We have all been guilty of focusing on a person’s physical attributes. It’s a natural thing; it’s the first thing that we see in a person. Then, if you meet that person, you start knowing their character and personality. But there is something that I always ask myself: if you don’t like a person’s appearance, would you consider to give them a chance? As I said before, humans have a tendency to be superficial, so I think this is a good question to ask to yourself.