Guys, what's more important in the initial stages of dating? Emotional connection or physical attraction?

[Natasha1995]

[OneViewpoint]

For me, in the early early stages it's physical attraction. Let's face it, we have nothing but visuals and very very little behavioral information that is highly situational early on. I'm not picking the girl ugly girl. And she's gonna be on her best behavior. I won't get to meet the psycho bitch until much later. Kidding. Kidding. So day 1 it's looks, style, and some superficial personality information that makes me approach or engage with her approach.

But it quickly transitions to me finding out who I'm dealing with...

• Can she hold a conversation on some topic other than makeup and designer handbags?
• Does she have the capacity for introspective thought.
• Is she willing to have deep conversations and does she enjoy it or hate it?
• Do I need to dumb down / slow down the conversation for her?
• Does she have a sense of humor? Do I have to explain my jokes?
• How does she react to the word "NO", LOL?
• Can I depend on her to honor her commitments, show up on time, not cancel, etc.
• How does she behave with me on her worst day?
• Who are the people she keeps around her. Yeah, I'm judging your choice of friends too.
• What has she done (or not done) with her life.
• Does she take accountability for her actions? Huge hurdle for a lot of women.
• Is she a timid passive passenger in life or does she go after what she wants? I really don't want to be caring for another adult 24X7.

That sort of stuff.

[Natasha1995]

Very informative, thanks.

[tzdc21]

Physical attraction gets you through the door as in initial interest, but emotional connection makes you wanna stick around

[Summeroflove]

Emotional connection is the most important thing of a relationship rushing sex can do two things for a genuine relationship it can turn it into lust and….. that usually dies out. Or two people who aren’t meant to be can become too attached or one person more so then the other.

Dating is about getting to know someone seeing if you’re compatible or not. Do you feel anything or loose feelings? Do you want the same thing out of a relationship or not? What’s your communication styles and wants and needs? Those are questions that need to be answered.

Creating an emotional bond is a lot deeper than just casual sex. It’s creating intimacy which isn’t just sex it’s being able to truly be vulnerable around someone to where you can be your true authentic self. Look…… sometimes you’ll show your true authentic self and someone will loose interest the same way someone can show theirs and you can loose interest that doesn’t make either person automatically bad it means not meant to be. Doesn’t mean they hate you as a person. and if they do well they aren’t meant are they.

It’s being around someone where one another can genuinely let go and relax around one another. Trust one another and communicate with one another. Be able to have conversations that you wouldn’t have with anyone else someone you can lean on for emotional support when you feel sad, angry, disappointed, nervous, anxiety, etc. That’s special if someone cannot have empathy for someone and be able to nurture one another and just sit with someone and let them know you’re there and everything’s going to be okay. Be able to give one another advice. That’s special…. And you would be surprised how many relationships people don’t have that.

There are married men and women who are prisoners inside their own homes they have absolutely nobody to turn to and keep it together until they completely break. I’m sorry but I don’t want to live like that.

[ohsheeT]

For me its something even deeper we all connect in different ways

I can look at someone and there can be a really good connection but there is also the connection of energy in it's own way it's a type of spiritual connection it's like touching without touching it's like becoming one with energy that when it happens it connects to the physical but it's just 10 times deeper

But they work hand in hand and when they both work together that creates even the deeper connection of one it will take you many many different places and experience many many different things that is just unreal beautiful it's like being in another dimension

[AviatorTom]

Most important is a balance of the two, with a slightly more emphasis on the emotional if you're looking for a long term relationship.

If you're just looking for a hookup... Need I say more?

[NathanDavis]

the personality and the vibes... getting to know one another and more than anything, to confirm that these are real and based too, that's the most important thing to me

physical attraction, that's superficial... I can decide in less of a split second, if someone is physically attractive to me... so after two seconds, it really doesn't matter anymore, as for the emotional connection.. that one comes later, that one takes time

[Alex-Snow]

An appearance, hygiene, habits are part of physical attraction. I'm not going to want to date a girl who smokes, is dirty, is morbidly obese, does not take care of her body etc. But as (if) a relationship develops the emotional component becomes extremely important.

[loveslongnails]

The initial attraction is always physical IF that's the initial meeting. If you speak on the phone or chat first, it will be mental and/or emotional, so it's difficult to say it's always one or the other. I think mental attraction is more vital than emotional connection.

[Friendlybro79]

If we’re in the initial stages of dating, I feel like there must be a certain level of physical attraction. With that being said, I’d say emotional connection, because that’s what’s going to keep it going.

[EveryDayIsPretzelDay]

In the initial stages, definitely physical attraction.

Emotional connection takes longer to develop.

[Likes2drive]

Well, physical attraction at first and then an emotional connection but I know women usually want an emotional connection right from the start before they’ll even be interested

[Theunfadeable]

If I’m dating casuall attractions gonna go First. If I see this thing going in the direction of a long term relationship, they’re both gonna be equally important.

[exitseven]

Without physical attraction it is hard to move to the emotional connection stage.

[Keyboardkat]

I think there has to be some physical attraction because otherwise, we will never get to stage 2!

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Interesting conversations, that's what hooks me badly.

Later on, there's going to be what I feel and what I see.

[AydenHazor]

While a physical connection is important, emotional is moreso every step of the way

[ZameerAnsari91]

I guess at initial stage its the looks wich matters the most, but later on emotional attachment is more important than looks

[Iron_Man]

Well if you’re not attracted to the woman, then you’re just buddies so the first thing is physical attraction after that comes emotional attachment and bonding

[Jersey2]

Physical. Then I also would hang around for that and that gives us time to get to know each other. Then if it clicks, it clicks.

[RedInnocent69]

It often starts from a distance with physical attraction, but you really do need both for a sustainable relationship

[Dantezam]

Everything starts from physical attraction, but in order to the relationship evolve, the emotional connection is essential. What's your input?

[LC75LC71]

Physical attraction. There's always time for the emotional aspect later.

[AgentG111]

My personal opinion and experience. Complete sexual satisfaction.

[oldman26]

Looks is probably what brought you together, but will not keep you together

[Twalli]

Looks give you a first date, after that you need emotional connection.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Second, though if the first doesn't soon follow, the relationship is doomed.

[rapfan107]

For me connection!! You can someone but if you don't get along or have things in common gonna be a problem

[Sammy098]

Both are equally important. I wouldn't be with a person who doesn't have one of the two.

[Anonymous]

In initial stage - probably physical attraction.

[gymFreakRomanticAss]

physical attraction and then emotional connection

[Mac-One]

Emotional connection.

[Jeff51]

Physical attraction