Women want 'real men'

Last updated 11:34 23/02/2010

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Nerds, wusses, hairy blokes and passionate Phoenix fans rejoice - you may not be destined for life on the dating sidelines after all.

A new survey suggests that not all woman are after a hairless muscle-man from the pages of Men's Health, but instead are on the lookout for a guy who is a little rough around the edges.

Top of the desirable traits was the unshaven look - a turn-on for 41 percent of women, while a slightly geeky personality was also popular.

Those who've been making frequent visits to the beauty therapist for a wax can also stop with the masochism - a hairy chest was voted the third-biggest turn-on, followed by a bookworm or a man who doesn't mind showing his sensitive side and crying during a soppy film.

Other secret desires of the fairer sex included grey hair, glasses and being a passionate supporter of a sports team.

A spokesman for www.onepoll.com which carried out the poll, told the UK's Mail Online that almost one fifth of women would never publically admit what they really found attractive in a man.

Instead they would claim they were after the more socially accepted model of the perfect male - a muscle-bound, clean-shaven manly man.

"But these results prove that they secretly want something different. It seems women really do like a guy who is able to show a softer side, or who is carrying a little bit of extra weight," the spokesperson said.

The poll also revealed that 91 percent of women would prefer a guy with a few flaws over someone who is perfect and more than half would rather find a guy who wasn't afraid to let it hang out a little bit, rather than someone who was buff.

Almost two thirds of the 2500 respondents preferred a hairy man, while 56 percent liked some stubble, the Daily Mail reported.

Fifty-eight percent of women also wanted a bloke who doesn't mind what he eats over someone who was watching his weight.

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123 comments
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Haylz   #123   05:13 am Feb 25 2010

I'm a kiwi living in England and my goodness I miss NZ Blokes. Who the hell cares if you're a little bit hairy or carrying a little extra - you're a bloke; no offense but you're not supposed to be pretty! I can't speak for all females, but I want to feel like the woman in the relationship; my biggest turn off - a guy who looks like he would take longer in the mirror than I would!

Ian Lawson   #122   08:42 pm Feb 24 2010

@Rach 107. Hey Rach, obviously you live in Eketahuna!! Go for a stroll thru Courtenay Place any Friday - Sat night between 9.00 - midnight. That's where you will see all the "look at me's" parading around thinking they look like Lady Gaga!! Trouble is they are hardly able to stand upright! 'Real' Kiwi young ladies - yeah right!!

jen   #121   04:58 pm Feb 24 2010

All i can say is my hubby may not be perfect for everybody but he is perfect for me and thats all i want, someone loving and caring who always has my back, his looks may have attracted me but its the rest of him that has kept us together for 7 years

Pringles   #120   03:24 pm Feb 24 2010

I am hairy (front and back) and even though my partner says she doesn't care I cannot bring myself to go out in public without a shirt *(even when swimming). I keep in good shape but have been ridiculed because of my back over the years so it's not just women who are paranoid about the way they look. All you women saying 'hairy backs are yuk' should think about the guys like me. I wish I could change it but it's just the way I am.

la la   #119   03:11 pm Feb 24 2010

@Phil #115

Perhaps you did not notice that I said "Thats what I find attractive" ?!?

Because that IS what I find attractive, less hair. You have no right to tell me what I can and what I can not find attractive.

There would be many women like me and there would be many women that do find hair attractive. But that is my view, and I will thank you kindly to not put down my own personal perferances beacuse you do not agree with them

samm   #118   02:08 pm Feb 24 2010

@ Phil #115

Well put.

Phil   #117   01:52 pm Feb 24 2010

Oh and for the record I like a 'real woman' someone who is active, beautiful, has a great personality and character that challenges me..which has meant lately me taking a liking to a girl from my church who came off her bike and tore up her right quad, to top it off she has the cutest accent, and a gorgeous smile/laugh, but the cherry on top is that she is a real woman, one full of character I look for, a kind heart and wisdom.

trueblue   #116   01:48 pm Feb 24 2010

I thought all you guys would be happy that 'we're' not all looking for that 'pefect' Brad Pitt look alike. Obviously not. Instead you'd rather moan and tell us how awefull we are. No wonder you're not doing well with the lades.

Phil   #115   01:33 pm Feb 24 2010

Hmm I think comments like 'Hair: YUCK' are immature to be honest, lol..any woman would realize that hairiness is GENETIC, and not a choice thing, and with men, if they choose to shave an area the hair will come back twice as fast and three times as thick. Perhaps 'Hair: no thanks, not my taste' would be more appropriate considering the medium within which these comments are being made are static text and tone is inserted, not heard.

As for me..meh Im a man, I have hair on my chest and under my arms, thats the way I like it, I wouldn't shave my chest as I don't fancy a rug being there within the next 2 weeks. I shave my face and other areas as needed, like it or lump it, no woman is going to change me because thats what she wants, relationships are about sacrifice.

And for all those women who complain about guys being picky...you're asking a lot of guys to change genetics, not go to the gym for an hour or two a day, five days a week.

qwerty   #114   12:42 pm Feb 24 2010

Damn straight! The Metro-Hetro (in abundance in Auckland) is UNattractive


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