Thread: Is true beauty defined by physical traits or personality traits?

It seems like the media always tells us it is the outside that matters most but in this day and age, it seems like even the most beautiful or handsome people can be some of the ugliest when they open their mouths. Should there be more out there to encourage being a good or better person rather than looking the best you can look?

What do you think about this? Is it physical or personality that defines real beauty?

It's both. I say that because I don't think there is an answer to this question. It seems that "personality" is the most popular response lately. Even if you think otherwise you might say personality since it's seen as the right thing to say.

I don't really have a side. I just think a lot of people who say things like "looks don't matter" are trying to take the moral high ground, but in reality they wouldn't date the elephant man and might even leap at the opportunity to date a hot celebrity, despite his/her controversies/possible bad personality.

I think anybody is entitled to go for looks. At least in this case you know they're being honest since it seems to be the unpopular opinion in general conversation, especially amongst left-wing crowds.

Defining "real" or "true" beauty comes with the caveat that we're talking about perception. It's a subjective matter, especially if you're going to combine different kindsa characteristics.

I would agree that the most appealing people, to me, are physically attractive and have positive characters. You could call that "beauty", I guess. It's just that the most common definition of beauty is what is appealing to the eyes.

I would of course prefer goodness over sex appeal when it comes to women. Acquiring both is not quite so easy in the real world, although it is a worthy goal

Originally Posted by Mantis

"looks don't matter"

Yeah people who say that are probably not doing good things for the gene pool

We are all hardwired to be more drawn to attractive people whether we like to admit it or not. It's why people dress up for job interviews, it's why women put on make up among other stuff. Hell, I'm trying to lose weight and I'll admit that having a slimmer body to attract women is a bit of a positive for me. Is this shallow? Perhaps, but it's human nature to want to be with someone with desirable physical traits.

With that being said, being beautiful isn't going to make up for being a tremendous douche. You're actions are going to speak very loudly more than anything and if you have a super repulsive personality then it's going to drive most folks away.

Originally Posted by Starwind55

With that being said, being beautiful isn't going to make up for being a tremendous douche. You're actions are going to speak very loudly more than anything and if you have a super repulsive personality then it's going to drive most folks away.

The worst kinds of people unfortunately do not get enough exposure. They are the wolves in sheep's clothing.

"Villains who twirl their mustaches are easily spotted. Those who clothe themselves in good deeds are well-camouflaged."

Very good points. I think that for most if should be a healthy mix of the two. If you only focus on personality, you will likely lack spark and "romance" and if you only focus on looks, your relationship will be more hallow than a jack-o-lantern. I always said that I favor a good personality over looks and I do but that is not to say I can be with someone I am not attracted to. There has to be attraction there physically but what makes it great about having a good personality, it just makes you more physically attractive. That is likely why you see a lot of them "game" or "player" guys getting a lot of women while looking average. They know how to appear more attractive through a faked or phony personality. i.e. knowing what to say to get what they want.

Tis a complicated matter.

For me attraction can start on a physical basis (sometimes personality or a mix of the two) but when it comes to sticking by someone, personality wins the day for me 100%.
If I have already gotten to know them and let's say fall in love, they could become a cripple that looks like the rear end of a elephant and I'd still love them.

Problem is, I know I'm not entirely pure hearted. The getting to know them bit can sometimes be hindered by the fact that I'm already not interested because of looks, but if I was friends with them and got to knwo them anyways, I would end up looking past that.

But yeah, when it comes to starting an attraction, I can be fickle.

Originally Posted by Ctarl-Ctarl Empire

Tis a complicated matter.

For me attraction can start on a physical basis (sometimes personality or a mix of the two) but when it comes to sticking by someone, personality wins the day for me 100%.
If I have already gotten to know them and let's say fall in love, they could become a cripple that looks like the rear end of a elephant and I'd still love them.

Problem is, I know I'm not entirely pure hearted. The getting to know them bit can sometimes be hindered by the fact that I'm already not interested because of looks, but if I was friends with them and got to knwo them anyways, I would end up looking past that.

But yeah, when it comes to starting an attraction, I can be fickle.

I think there has to be some kind of attraction physically for their to be an interest. I know people who are friends over time and end up more than that but there was always that basis of unspoken attraction somewhere down the line. Heck, some people are only friends with people they find attractive, this goes for both sexes and has nothing to do with actually being "attracted TO them" if that makes sense.

I think it's a bit of the both but the most important is personality. This is because if you look so gorgeous and has a poor personality then all your beauty would be a waste, as people would easily get disgusted by your behavior, action and reactions.

There are things you would do and people around would say, why would such a pretty person behave so bad. So I think even though the personal beauty appearance is good but good personality should come first.

While I do agree physical is a factor I don't care how beautiful a person is on the outside if they end up just being a hateful and wicked one on the inside. I met my girlfriend online through video games and fell for her just through talking/messaging well before I ever knew what she looked like. I just loved the energy, joy, and moxie she had and how contagious it was to me and others around her. The same went for her as she told me she fell for my laugh, kindness, and selflessness. So I guess for me beauty comes more from how you make someone feel, and how they make you feel.