What ultimately determines attractiveness?

I know there are those out there who have been extremely popular and completely Charismatic. I’ve seen those who go out of their way to learn and teach in such a passionate manner that people flock to their classrooms just to experience them. I’ve heard bout those that would give others the shirt off their back and give their last dollar to those who are in need, but which one of these or none at all makes a person attractive to others, far beyond their looks?

This is a difficult question to answer factually, but I’d say it depends person to person. Everyone has their own set of personal values - some prize charisma, some academic intelligence, etc, etc. So what ultimately determines attractiveness is who the determiner is and whether qualities they find positive are present in the person they’re examining.

You seem to be combining several different things into one: attractive; popular; charismatic; effective teacher; generous. I really don’t know what you are looking for. A person might excel in one area, and be awful in another. For example, I know someone who is an excellent writer, and I go out of my way to read what he writes, but when I hear him speak, I have a lot of trouble following him.

Perhaps you could rephrase your question?

Magnets. :slight_smile:

Cecil has (sort of) discussed this: If evolution is all about survival of the fittest, why are we attracted to the cutest? - The Straight Dope

I think you are reading into it. The question I asked was that which I’ve highlighted below.

Another point to ponder…

Malcolm Gladwell in one of his books, discusses the Kevin Bacon game - the degrees of separation between everyone across the USA. He mentions studies that there are a small number of people who “collect” friends, that can handle an order of magnitude more acquaintances that the usual person.

I’ve met people like this - for example, the premier of a province, who, despite seeing me (possibly one of thousands) maybe once or twice a year, through some miracle of organization and filing system, executive assistant prompts and memory can remember my name and greet me; whereas I would tend to forget my waitress’s name before she brings my order.

I’m going to say that beyond looks, charisma is a talent that some people have that makes them seem to others like they are more than a casual acquaintance.