Six out of ten men readily admit they are ‘punching above their weight’ – because their other half is better looking than they are, research has shown. The shock admission was revealed following a detailed study carried out among 2,000 adults in relationships, which also found only one in four women believe their partner or husband is better off in the looks department.
Results showed the majority of men preferred their partner to be the most attractive because it boosted their self esteem, while over a third said the most important thing was making other guys envious.
A cheeky fifth thought that having a more attractive partner only served to make them more appealing to other women.
The study also saw men reveal the key attributes that led them to punch well above their weight in the relationship stakes with being funny, being a good listener and having good manners all deemed crucial.
The research, commissioned by the Celebalike app, found generally getting on well with women, sensitivity and a good smile feature in the top 20 list of traits that serve men well in attracting a partner who might usually be deemed out of their league.
A Celebalike.com spokesman said:
”Although men seem to be quite grounded when it comes to how they see themselves against their partners, it’s clear they aren’t shy of self-belief either.
”Of course having confidence in your looks is a good thing but as long as it’s accompanied by good personality and other attributes which are more important in the long run.
”Many of the elements men said led them to success were personality based, like the ability to be funny, show intelligence and make good conversation.
”Of course, looks will always be important and for those claiming they’re up there with the Brad Pitts and Johnny Depps of this world then proving it with a Celebalike match is a good place to start.”
The research also saw being articulate, smooth talking, being good in bed and having traveled to several countries as playing a big part in men’s confidence.
While cooking skills, money and smelling good were cited among men’s tips for attracting the other sex, as were dancing skills, chat up lines and ‘having great hair’.
A confident 58% said they were capable of attracting women who were more attractive than them.
And a bold one in four say that when single they see it as a challenge to go for the most attractive woman in the room.
A cocky fifth of men have even tried to aim for a better-looking woman while still in a relationship themselves.
No wonder then that 48% of guys like it if a friend remarks on their partner’s attractiveness.
But there is hope for the male species – three quarters of the men studied said that, as they get older, they increasingly realize that personality is more important than looks.
TOP 20 ATTRIBUTES THAT ALLOW MEN TO PUNCH ABOVE THEIR WEIGHT
1. Being Funny
2. A Good listener
3. Having good manners
4. Get on well with women
5. Sensitive
6. Appealing smile
7. Articulate
8. Smooth talker
9. Good in bed
10. Well travelled
11. Great cook
12. General mannerisms
13. Good anecdotes
14. Got money
15. Smell nice
16. Nice car
17. Good dancer
18. Good dress sense
19. Strong chat up lines
20. Great hair
