What exactly does it mean when women say you have an exotic look?

[PalmWave]

I've had multiple women say I look exotic but never said in particular I look handsome or anything. Makes me think I'm perceived as an awkward looking guy. One lady co worker also said my mother must be beautiful but what the heck! I would guess that's a compliment. Do women say that often? I always get these indirect compliments from girls, like, all the time.

So tell me, when you call someone exotic looking, what exactly do you mean?

[Anonymous]

I think exotic means "attractive but in an unconventional way". In other words, you don't look like a stereotypical handsome guy, but you're handsome in your own unique, surprising way. It is a compliment, almost like, "huh, with those features one wouldn't think you're attractive... but somehow the combination just works and those features DO look attractive on you!"

[PalmWave]

I kinda see myself that way. I feel like my features individually aren't so individually attractive, but the combination of them in a way optimizes them? Lol I don't know but thanks for you answer.

[Opinion Owner]

I think that's true for you based on your profile picture - I think you are good-looking in an unconventional way. And yes, it's the combination of all the features that does the trick.

It sounds like you would describe your appearance as exotic too! So now you can understand why people say you look exotic?

I think it's really cool :) It makes you stand out from the crowd - not only are you attractive, but it's a unique kind of attractiveness.

[PalmWave]

Well thanks! I consider myself decent or avarage looking. I mostly get the "exotic" compliment from people so I guess it is a good thing. People always ask me about my race/ethnicity especially after they hear me talk lol. Thank you so much for your answer :)

[Opinion Owner]

You're welcome :)
What is your ethnicity? I'm curious now

[Opinion Owner]

PS I really like your profile.
I play the piano and draw too :-) although I suck at composing music.
I also am introvert who takes a long time to truly open up to a person. The other day, I started joking around with a lady I've known for about 10 months, and she was like, "oh my, you're funny! I never knew you had it in you!" Like, I have spent time with her for a few times a week for 10 months - that's how long it can take me to get comfortable around someone!

[PalmWave]

I'm actually Latino. My family originated from the Basque Country (border of Spain by France). Everyone that heard my last name is "woah I've never heard that name before... how do you spell it" lol

[PalmWave]

And thanks for checking it out :) I really do love piano. It is just a passion of mine as well as composing other forms of music.

And I can also relate to your story big time. It takes a long time for me to open up to people. Sometimes it can be in a matter of months depending on how much I interact with that person or a matter of years haha. I would say all of my co workers don't know who I really am or do outside of that environment. But I don't mind it at all.

[Opinion Owner]

Aha! You're Latino! That explains why a person would say that your mother must be very beautiful - it's a common stereotype that Latino women are stunning.

[Opinion Owner]

I have a friend who told me the other day that she wishes she was as good at guarding her heart as I am at guarding my heart. She tends to open up her life story to people she hardly even knows... And trust me, her life story is a shocker / cause for gossip.

[PalmWave]

Having an outgoing and open character can have its pros. But when it comes to keeping to yourself you really don’t have that privacy anymore because everyone else (that you’ve told) knows your business. And you know how people are, nosy, so naturally you’re gonna be the talk of the town and that is something im not ok with. Rather just keep to myself and have my own personal life. Although sometimes it would be nice to open your arms to have people care about you all around. That’s where being reserved becomes bad. You start to feel like you have no one else in your life besides the two to three friends you see, sometimes barely. Its good having your privacy, but at the same time it gets lonely.

[Opinion Owner]

Very true. Lately I've been trying to have a few more friends that I confide in, though still choosing wisely. Otherwise sometimes it can feel like barely anyone understands or cares about me.

My friend who shares all her stuff has people helping her out left, right and centre because they kno about her troubles.

[Opinion Owner]

*know

[lumos]

They tend to mean that you look foreign, in a good way somehow. Kinda like "you're attractive despite being foreign". At least that's the kind of vibe I get when I hear it being used, which is why I don't want to use it. It's just a very awkward "compliment" in my opinion. I wouldn't over-analyze it if I were you, though.

[catguy]

"you're attractive despite being foreign"

I agree with this. its usually used in a context describing someone who's culture is different from their own.

[lumos]

Yup.

[PalmWave]

Yes, I guess there are different forms of exotic depending on the persons view. Good answer.

[MaskedSanity]

Exotic = not white.

You probably have features that resemble those of foreigners, such as Indians, Greeks, Turks, Asians, etc. You looks strange, because your appearance is not conforming with the general population, but despite that, you are also attractive.

[PalmWave]

Hey thank you for your kind remark :) hopefully people don't start thinking this is a rate me question of some sort. I was genuinely wondering what women meant by exotic.

[Anonymous]

It means you look like a mutt.

[PalmWave]

just like that huh

[Opinion Owner]

Or a more politically correct response, "she can't place what ethnicity you are. You have multiple races in your background which gives you an exotic look".

[PalmWave]

aaah gotcha. Makes sense! But sometimes people aren't of any other combination of race and still look like something else lol.

[LittleSally]

That you don't look like anyone she's accustomed of seeing around...
And she means that in a positive way.

[moistycakes]

If I think someone looks exotic I mean they are attractive in a non generic way, they have that extra something different.

[Lynie]

i got that compliment too.. it means that you are beautiful/ handsome in a unique way.

[PalmWave]

Yes I'm starting think this could be a definition of exotic.

[Anonymous]

It means you're hot, but not the standard hot, you've got something different.