# When approaching a member of the opposite sex, whats the first thing you look at? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 8, 2004, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119 "2004-03-08T13:58:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sarah23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sarah23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarah23)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2004, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/21 "2004-03-08T20:00:03Z")
As a female who has only recently started interacting with the opposite sex on a regular basis (got a job), I hafta say it is the face. I can generally tell if a man is attractive from across the room, but it’s the face the ultimately makes or breaks. Sometimes my male customers \appear\ attractive from the backside by style of dress (v. important), or maybe the way they carry themselves, but when they come closer and I get a view of the front it is often disappointing. But if I want to know if someone is attractive, my eyes go straight for the face. 1. face 2. clothes 3. hair “Body” is not even my list. huh. ---
**Author:** ![BJMoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@BJMoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BJMoose)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2004, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/22 "2004-03-08T20:05:20Z")
My billfold. ---
**Author:** ![seriousart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@seriousart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seriousart)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2004, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/23 "2004-03-08T20:36:43Z")
Actually, there’s a factual answer to this, though one only backed up by hazy memory of an article read on the subject, sans cite- so take it for what you will. Makes sense to me, though. The answer is: The Eyes. You may ultimately find other parts more interesting, but the first thing you check is the eyes, if only to see if they’re already looking at you. If they’re not, you can check them out with a certain amount of impunity. If they are looking at you, you naturally go to Plan B, which may be to divert your gaze, return eye contact, etc. This goes back to predator-prey situations, where you’d want to make sure your would-be lunch didn’t see you summing them up. That said, no matter how fine the physique may be, if the face aint up to par, the rest just won’t do it for me. ---
**Author:** ![iwakura43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de0a6/32.png) [@iwakura43](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iwakura43)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2004, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/24 "2004-03-08T20:56:30Z")
My shoes. Or if I’m feeling adventurous, her shoes 😃 In all seriousness, it depends on the situation and the woman. If she’s wearing some ridiculous low-cut thing, then yeah, it’s going to be boobs. If she’s got long hair (especially black), that’s usually the first thing I’ll see. Otherwise the face or eyes–I probably weird some people out by looking strangers in the eyes, especially living in the north. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2004, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/25 "2004-03-08T22:40:54Z")
Absolutely the eyes first. Playful, expressive, deep eyes will draw this moth unlike any other feminine flame. It does not matter if you’re **A** dorable, **B** eautiful, **C** utie, **D** elightful, or **E** normous, I need to feel eye attraction before I survey other attractions. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2004, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/26 "2004-03-08T22:47:50Z")
The answer would depend entirely upon whether I am approaching from the front or the rear! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2004, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/27 "2004-03-08T23:08:42Z")
Off to IMHO. **DrMatrix** - GQ Moderator ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/28 "2004-03-09T00:06:25Z")
> [@](#): > > When approaching a member of the opposite sex, what’s the first thing you look at? The left ring finger. If it’s occupied, her attractiveness or lack thereof is pretty much a moot point for me. ---
**Author:** ![emekthian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecae2f/32.png) [@emekthian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emekthian)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/29 "2004-03-09T00:34:33Z")
Face. I’m a guy, but I’ve never thought brests were particularly attractive. I like to look at faces. ---
**Author:** ![raz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@raz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raz)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/30 "2004-03-09T01:15:25Z")
I’m a girl and mine goes like this: 1. Face 2. Body 3. Teeth THEN, if the above three are decent enough then I’ll work my way down to: 1. Ass 2. Shoes I’ve realized that unless I take a distinct interest in the first 3 things then that dude is pretty much crossed off my list of potential love-interests. Shallow, yes I know, but I have a boyfriend and its not like I’m out looking for anyone. ---
**Author:** ![NightRabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbce88/32.png) [@NightRabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NightRabbit)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/31 "2004-03-09T01:32:08Z")
Probably the first things I notice about a man is hair. I think many guys underestimate the impact that hair and clothing can have, regardless of body shape, stature, face, etc. Mmmm. ---
**Author:** ![Cyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@Cyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyn)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/32 "2004-03-09T01:35:56Z")
The first thing to captivate my female attention is attitude and his reaction to my attention. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/33 "2004-03-09T02:43:15Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > It is lineal. Homo Sapiens look to the Face. Then eyes travel downward, Breast or torso, Waist or abdomen, then when we get a chance Buttocks, then thighs, calves. I defy any woman to prove she actually noticed a man’s hand’s or shoe size before she saw his face and general physique. I’ve actually spent years trying to determine the same thing and I agree it is a top down event. Beyond the “looks” that each person finds attractive I will look at facial expression, then overall body shape focusing on breasts. Now when I say this I don’t mean Dolly Parton walks away a winner. I find certain faces and certain body shapes to be attractive and few if any would make it into a Playboy. I can’t define what those attributes are except that I can say definitively that a nicely dressed women gets high marks. ---
**Author:** ![monica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@monica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monica)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/34 "2004-03-09T03:32:54Z")
When I look at a guy, the first thing I notice is his face. Mainly his eyes. Next, I look at his clothes. You can often tell a lot about people by how they are dressed (although not always). ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/35 "2004-03-09T04:04:33Z")
**Achilles** , this is your second warning for foul language in GQ. Please read the FAQ and the Registration Agreement carefully before you make your next post. Next time you will be banned. You have been warned. - **xash** General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![jastu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@jastu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jastu)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/36 "2004-03-09T04:39:38Z")
> [@kidchameleon](#): > > I usually look at my wife. Most everyone else is a let down after that. By any chance does she read this board? 🙂 I always look at the face, followed by the build and how he is dressed, then the hands (for size). ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/37 "2004-03-09T05:15:22Z")
> [@Achilles](#): > > This is definately MPSIMS material. > > But the answer is “face”. What sort of fucking freak walks up to a bird staring at their tits ? > > In the words of the late, great, Jesus Christ - grow up. _I don’t want to grow up. I’m a tits-r-us kid. They got so much ample boobage that I can play with. From head to toe you really oughta know; I’m really just a tits-r-us kid…_ ---
**Author:** ![Urban\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Urban\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urban_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/38 "2004-03-09T06:47:07Z")
Eyes - eyebrows - nose - mouth. In that order. ---
**Author:** ![Starguard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Starguard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starguard)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/39 "2004-03-09T07:45:27Z")
I mentioned this topic to one of my sisters friends and she says that when she was in high school, she and her “gossip crowd” used to think that a person could tell the size of a mans \*\*\*\*\* by the size of his hands or feet. The bigger his hands or feet, the bigger his \*\*\*\*\*. - Of course we all know that this belief is not true\* But hey, like she said, she was a Teenager in High School back then 😛 ---
**Author:** ![msklystron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@msklystron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msklystron)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2004, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119/40 "2004-03-09T07:59:13Z")
I take in the whole picture at once before breaking it down to it’s separate parts… Unless one aspect is glaringly noticeable, like a comb-over, mismatched clothes, a shirt unbuttoned almost to the waist revealing an exceedingly hairy chest and a medalion, plumber’s butt, a beautiful smile, intelligent eyes, a large bulge in his pants… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-approaching-a-member-of-the-opposite-sex-whats-the-first-thing-you-look-at/233119.md?page=3)