6 The Voice, For students, By Students | November 2, 2011 | www.fsuvoice.com | send news tips to the editor; thevoice.fsu@gmail.com
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by Daniel Prater
Voice Staff Writer
The term “beauty is only skin deep” comes to mind wlien con
sidering rules of attraction between the sexes. When you meet
someone for the first time, what’s the first attractive feature you
look for when checking them out?
After listening to a random selection of FSU students who
voiced their opinions on the subject, it’s apparent that no clear
answer exists. Almost instantaneously, followed by a vindicated
response, many asked to change their answers, as if an alarm had
just gone off raising doubts. Often students would look off in
the distance and ponder, searching meticulously for the elusive
“right answer.”
Truthfully, who has or takes the time to consider something
like this? First of all, there are too many variables that take place
in the 10-15 seconds before we approach or are approached
by someone. We don’t consider where to look. We’ve already
looked, instinctively. We greet others with our eyes before we’re
even introduced.
Dr. Richard Taflinger, communications professor at Wash
ington State University, states in his Psychology of Consumer
Behavior work “...a [person of attraction] may cause the body
to react physically: an increase in blood flow, dilation of the pu
pils, sexual arousal. Such reactions are unavoidable, just as flip
ping a switch will turn on a light. Instincts are followed because
they are not susceptible to intellectual control.” This suggests we
don’t actually control that defining first glance; we simply make
an initial assessment of the findings.
Some students spoke of looking for athletic figures suggesting
the person of interest work out, so they may “have something to
work with.” Others described it by saying “the face tells it all.” 1
found it interesting that most responses didn’t include superficial
opinions based on name brands and accessories among the limit
ed interviews conducted. Cleanliness garnered more importance
than ties and slacks or designer dresses. It’s reassuring to know,
among those interviewed, FSU students don’t pass judgment on
their peers by way of fancy attire dr expensive jewelry.
Students should hold their heads high, knowing others won’t
be checking their handbag for a Gucci label or their shoes for a
Nike swoosh. The focus lies not in what you choose to wear, but
rather how you wear it. Cleanliness is a must for health, but ap
parently for attraction, too!
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Kendrall Green, sophomore
■ The Walk: To see how she carries herself and her facial expression, to see if
she’s in a good mood.
Nicholas Nereem, junior
■ How she interacts w/others: If she’s conversating with a lot of people, it’s a
good sign!
Omar Gilchrist, senior
■ The Eyes: Looking for that something special. If 1 like what I see, 1 keep going
down.
Ladarus 'R.ons^, freshman
Ladies Responses
■ Face: I’ve got to know if he’s cute or not!
liriana Jefferson, sophomore
■ Shoes: If he doesn’t take care of his shoes, he can’t take care of me!
Amber Pittman, sophomore
■ Physique: If he ain’t got a body, he can’t do anything with it!
Jaslynn Campbell, sophomore
■ Face: To see how he initiates conversation, then I check his appearance.
Ebony, freshman
■ Attitude: To see if I clique with him.
Shaquilla CorXey, freshman
■ Clothes: To see if it looks clean and decent. Also to see if it’s well fitted, not too
baggy and loose, hanging off!
Zametria Moses, sophomore
■ The Walk: To see what she’s about, some girls be walking all wild, you know. ■ How they’re dressed: Looking for neat and clean clothes. Whether it’s a t-shirt
Josh Gaiaty, freshman or polo or brand of shoes, doesn’t matter to me.
Tanea Murphy,yMn/or