I have vehemently asserted my respect for the clever minds of science and presently I will bow even further to the wisdom that emanates from them. I do not know any other human species that would be able to narrow down the intricacies of dating to a simple formula. Such incredulous simplicity is further confounded by my suspicions that those who formulated this equation have very little real experience to go by (I admit the stereotype heuristic does away with a lot of details but who can resist relying on it in such opportune circumstances as these?).
Before I reveal the revolutionary formula that will forever clear away the smog that had previously clouded your beliefs regarding dating and sexual attraction, I would like to ask you, the reader in a most amiable manner to ponder for a moment on your ‘mate value.’ This term so charitably coined by scientists serves the purpose of indicating how desirable we may reasonably assume ourselves to be in the eyes of a potential reproductive partner. If you fall into the category of ‘high mate value’ you can happily be assured that you will be sought after and that most people will be interested in you (Bredow & Huston, 2008). Sadly however, if you (understandably) refuse to see that your mate value is rather low and your objectivity is fogged over by the love your harbour for yourself (love is indeed blind), you face the firing squad of rejection.
Anyway, it is not customary to dwell on sad, poor cases and in respecting this custom I will evade any further discussion on ‘low mate value’ individuals and will focus on that happy bunch that may refer to themselves henceforth in the glowing terms of high-quality-mate-value. The happiest of them, I suspect are very good looking females who will accept nothing less than a kind, good-future-father, sexy and rich man and will do so with an assertiveness that only naturally befalls those scoring high on the mate value criterion (Buss & Shackford, 2008). Apparently, if their mate values are high enough they might even attract such idealised partners. The formula, then goes something like this:
A Potential Partner’s Desirability = His/Her Physical Attractiveness x His/Her Probability of Accepting You. Simplicity is gold.
The more observant readers will have gathered that physical attractiveness is not the only ingredient contributing to a potential partner’s desirability. The likelihood of them reciprocating plays a fundamental role. Someone who does not bestow upon you the attention and praise you so rightfully believe is deserved, will funnily enough begin to take on less desirable forms. The message then is to find someone you believe is attractive enough to warrant your attention but who will also reciprocate your lovers gaze!
