By Shelly Nambozo

27^th Sept 2010

Why do some men take months to declare their undying love while others transform into rose-clutching romantics at the slightest flutter of your lashes? Of course your new underwear, wit, and charm go a long way.  But according to experts, most of the initial attraction boils down to good old fashioned science.  So what exactly is the secret of a match made in heaven?

Facial symmetry

Having a symmetrical face can help.  Research has proved that most of us, especially men, are drawn to even facial features.  Why?  Because in the animal world symmetry is a sign of physical health!  And, like our furry friends, we too are attracted to a more balanced appearance to avoid mating with “sickly” partners.

Women resembling their mums

Weird as it sounds, there is a convincing argument that men go for women who look like their mothers.  Professor David Perrett researched face preferences and perception at St Andrews University.  He made his students look at a range of faces to choose the one they fancied the most.

In the mix was a photo of themselves morphed into the opposite sex!  Of all the pictures on offer, most were drawn to their own.  As children, we’re so used to seeing our parents’ faces that it means, as adults, we’re attracted to people with similar characteristics.

Your natural odour

No, we’re not talking your Chanel Chance.  We’re talking pheromones. These are the chemicals released by your body that govern attraction between men and women.  If your genes are too similar to his, you won’t “smell nice” and he won’t fancy you.

Emotions

Even if you have all the physical stuff together, it doesn’t guarantee you a “happy ever after”.  Emotions are important too.  And if you struggle to get your man to show you any, it doesn’t mean he’s not into you.
“There’s no difference in how quickly or hard men and women fall in love”, says psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos. It’s just that men are less likely to acknowledge it.  Commitment to men equals loss of freedom, whereas women see what they’ll gain.

Love at first sight

Reassuringly, more men than women claim to have fallen in love at first sight.  What’s more impressive is that when a man thinks about his latest squeeze, the pathways in his brain that light up are similar to the ones that respond when people take cocaine!

Having plenty of sex can help – and not for the reason you think!  When you get it on, the “bonding” hormone oxytocin is released.  So the more you do it, the warmer and fuzzier he’ll feel towards you.  And if you’re not at that stage yet, just staring at him could send him rushing off to write poetry and buy flowers.  END. If it’s Monday, it’s Uganda Correspondent.  Never miss out again!

Source: Cosmo