On Shallowness: Why I’m Somewhat Shallow

I have always tried to avoid judging people by the way they look. I hate it when people do it to me, so I avoid doing it to others. I don't think it's right that I should get more attention when I dress trendy versus when I don't want to care. I am still the same person, regardless of how I look. So I have always looked to personality and character for that magic spark. Physique changes over time anyway, so while that gives me a hormonal rush in the beginning (actually I don't really respond to it anymore), it does not really stand the test of time. I have never considered my approach as taking the "best I can get" or "settling" in any way. In fact, it is entirely the opposite. I seek the most meaning and deepest connection in my relationships with people, whether they are romantic or not. If I look past someone's image, then I can see their heart, the core of who they are. While each person is inevitably influenced by their physique, I am more interested in their values and philosophy. Also, I agree with another commenter who said that racial preference is racism, plain and simple. Okay, so there are definite cultural differences, but for an Americanized ethnic person, there should be plenty of common ground to work with. That said, I don't really care about what you do. If I was to fight your right to choose based on physical attraction, I would be at odds with the rest of the world. I also find that I hold a deep love for many people. At this point I am not sure what that means in relation to romantic love.

Of course initial attraction is shallow. But it doesn't have to be exceedingly shallow. And it shouldn't be unrealistic, either (as in, always out of your league). I doubt most people really have the problem of just being in "good enough" relationships instead of the "great" ones they could be in. I think reality is more like people in good/sturdy/workable relationships thinking they could do better because they have unrealistic expectations of love/relationships/marriage. Also, I do take offense when someone rejects me on the basis of my race. It is racist. My mom only dates black men. That is racism. I still love her, and she's a great person otherwise, but there it is, she's racist. I think it is okay to be offended that someone's worldview automatically makes you undateable because of your race. I'm not saying they need to change it. Let them flaunt it, less people to weed through in the dating game.

I don't think I have the capacity to be shallow (but, then again, maybe I'm not understanding your definition of shallow here). I have very strong tastes in what I do and do not like and honestly, it just seems to vary per person. I once told a friend that I'm attracted to people with "magic" inside them. For me, this magic has a feeling to it. I just know...and these magical loved ones come in many shapes, sizes, and genders for me. I once boiled it down to the fact that I am attracted to people I can learn from....but even that is a trite saying. Case in point: I have the exact opposite problem than you - I fall in love with someone new almost every year, so for me (and luckily my primary spouse), an open relationship is the best option for someone that has a very hard time with shallow relationships.

Liberating yes! I love your honesty. Physical attraction/chemistry/taste is subjective. What may appeal to you may not for another person. When I met my husband, his looks drew me initially. Then, the matter of how he approached me and his character sealed the deal. Variables differ with each person. Your standards depend on what you need personally in a relationship, not any one else's call. You might call someone shallow if she/he looks at a potential partner for all their exterior qualities, but if it is what one needs, to each its own.

Seconded. To me, the chemistry/shallow attraction comes first. That's what draws me to another person. After that comes personality, intelligence, good conversation, humor etc. Looks are what sparks a relationship; character is what makes or breaks it afterwards. Glad you have the guts to say this. It's hard to be 100% honest, but so liberating!

I agree with JK Allen. There's nothing wrong with being with someone you are physically attracted with but sometimes I think people misunderstand that with good looks. You can be physically attracted to someone and some friend of yours don't consider her good looking (that's a whole new post) I hope you are getting what I am saying. There's nothing wrong with being with someone you are attracted to because that does not necessarily mean you only get with good looking people, you are not being politically incorrect. It's fine.

I see it as having standards. Everyone has them Matt. Everyone's are different. Let's think about it... When it comes to looks - we throw out the word shallow. But what about life interests, religion, wanting or not wanting kids. These things are important. And, these things are apart of the combination that makes up your standards. So, just like you might not want to be with serial killer...you may not want to be with someone who you're not physically attracted to. NOTHING IN THE WORLD WRONG WITH THAT. When I met my wife almost 10 years ago, the first thing that caught my attention was her looks. Later I got to know her and discovered that there was more to her. But honestly, if the initial attraction wasn't there - then I'd probably have to subtract 3 kids out of my life. I can't imagine. That's my two sense. Have standards. Don't think that you're shallow for having tastes and interest. ;) PEACE

Hey Lynn, -Glad you commented on this and have contrasting views. -I am learning to not judge people by how they look because they can't help their gender, race, age. People have a right to talk to anyone at anytime. Talking and sharing ideas is why I connect. -Why I wrote it: Physical attraction is something that's important to me for an intimate relationship and it would be a lie to date someone that I'm not attracted to physically. It would be lying to myself. -I lived a lie being in a relationship with a girl I wasn't attracted to for 18 months just to prove I could fall for her DURING the relationship. That doesn't work for me. -Of course vision, weirdness, and other things are a turn-on. I'll write a post about that soon. -As for racism, I feel that preferences are reasonable but shutting the door completely isn't right. No matter what, we will have bias. -I know I love many people in an non-romantic way. It's one of the non-passionate loves, one of the six type of loves.

How did I write so much and fail to mention that it is okay to take looks into account when dating? Physical attraction is important in a relationship.

It has to do with strong tastes. I said it as shallow because I personally wasn't secure with having particular tastes (like it was wrong for some reason), so it was a remind to me and anyone else that it's alright to have those tastes. But the "magic", well I've felt that before as well and I know how it hits. I think I know what you're saying. Maybe someone with a vision? I could be wrong but I can feel what you're saying. I fall in love with a lot of people too actually. We'll see as time goes on. I've read about polyamory myself, so nothing is closed off by default.

Thanks! I could go on another post about subjectivity. My cousin and I have opposite taste when it comes to women for example. Everyone needs different things. I'm not advocating you go for perfection, but you need to create a few things you really want in someone.

Glad you seconded it :) Yeah the spark is something I look for. It isn't to be shallow as much as it is where I want to be excited with the person I'm with and both inside/out are equally important. It definitely is liberating!

Hey Hugo, Yeah, there's nothing wrong with it. I've had some issues with the whole concept though because like Jk's quote, I wanted a world where looks didn't matter but they do matter. So it's a post to anyone (including myself) that needs to feel comfortable with standards. Yeah it's a point I wanted to bring up in the future where everyone's tastes varies so much that good looking is subjective anyways. It's true. I'll keep that in mind.

Hey Jk, Thanks for the comment! Standards are good. I think I wanted to let myself know that it was okay. I also wanted to share with anyone else who was feeling unsure about it. Yeah, it's our one life to live so we gotta live up to our standards. It's good to hear that from someone who's been through a lot.

Yeah it doesn't have to be too shallow. I feel that some "out of the league" feeling is due to conditioning and what you create out of expectations, so while some out of the league people aren't worth the time, others you have to try for or else you'll never know. Besides, some people you think are "out of this world" beautiful may be average to someone else. I'm an idealist so it hits some nerves when someone says "I'll only get the best I can get" but maybe that's the comfortable, easy way. Many people have unrealistic ideals (maybe even me) because of the media and other things that have to do with it. That's what I've been trying to figure out. Is it really racist if someone dates only within their race or someone of a certain race (outside of their own)? I've been wondering if I need a future post about it. Looks are important, definitely important. Thanks for the comment!