The secret: this is what people find attractive according to science

What is the best way to flirt with someone? You might think this is mainly a matter of taste, because while one person wants to be conquered in a romantic and old-fashioned way, the other might find that quite off-putting. Well, it really depends on what you find attractive.

Or not really? Research shows that there are a number of moves that are quite appealing, both to men and women. So do you currently have someone in mind? Then make sure to take advantage of these scientific and successful flirting methods.

1. Show that you are selective
We are always so skeptical about the phenomenon of ‘hard to get’, but a study shows that this method does indeed work to a certain extent. The University of Wisconsin conducted research where young single men were exposed to three types of women: an ‘easily conquerable’ woman, a woman who was not interested in any of the candidates, and a woman who showed that she was not enthusiastic about the other candidates but was about the candidate in question. What turned out? The last selective woman was the most appealing to the men. Another study showed that this also applies to women: from a speed dating experiment conducted by Northwestern University, it appeared that the men who wanted to plan a follow-up date with every woman after the dates were found the least attractive by the women. In other words: people like to feel that they stand out and that you are not interested in just anyone. Well, that makes sense, right? So make sure to clearly show your potential lover that you are really only interested in him/her.

2. Open up  
Don't be afraid to open up to someone too quickly. Often people think that this will scare the other person away, but research shows the opposite: when you share intimate details in the early stages, it is found to be very attractive and the level of intimacy increases. Additionally, it also works that you automatically start to like the person to whom you are telling all these things more. Nice, right?

3. Be positive 
Sometimes people can only complain during a first date and they even think this is very funny, for example about the cold food in a restaurant or the bad movie you just watched. It could very well stem from insecurity – in the worst case, you are dealing with an ultimate pessimist – but research shows that this negative talk is not really appealing. Okay, if the other person completely agrees with you, it might still work out well, but if that is not the case, you mainly come across as a huge whiner. Naturally, people who talk positively about things during a date are found to be much nicer, warmer, and more attractive. So are you quick to make cynical remarks? Then during those first dates, try to hold back a bit, it will be better for the atmosphere.

4. Imitate the other person
I was perhaps most surprised by this method. Apparently, it works that people who are having a conversation and like each other automatically adopt each other's gestures, words, and body posture. French psychologist Nicolas Guéguen conducted an experiment where he instructed young women during a date with a man (or not) to imitate the man a few times, such as running a hand through their hair after the man did or literally repeating certain words from the man. The outcome? The women who imitated both the words and certain gestures were found to be the most attractive by the men. Well, this might sound a bit absurd (and quite narcissistic), but you can always give it a try, right? Science doesn't lie after all.

source: psychology magazine