Most guys have their own ideas on what they find eye-catching about a woman. You might be going out with a 'boob' boy, or one who's more interested in a lady's legs, and more appropriately for Jamaica, a man who loves a 'bumper'! For the most part, I would think that the lack of flesh on one's bones is detrimental to the gals when it comes to starting up romantic relationships with the opposite member of sex. However, what if there's a little too much padding going on around the waist or thighs? Will this turn men off? Does weight actually affect a girl's chance of procuring a date?
notable incidents
Not long ago, I was travelling in North America and I came across two notable incidents. In the first instance, I was out with a group of 40-something fellows and their 30-something girlfriends. We sat, ordered drinks, chose what we'd like for dinner, and continued on with interesting conversation while sinking our teeth into hot rolls. All of a sudden I noticed a mound of bread bits accumulating in front of one 'chick'. She was picking out the inside of the rolls, leaving that on her plate, and only eating the thin crusts. I do not exaggerate when I tell you that she 'ate' six rolls.
The waiter returned and presented the same weirdo with a platter, upon which a two-pound lobster sat. I tucked into my own meal, but before long I was drawn to watch her eating habits again. This time she was pawning off large pieces of lobster tails to everyone around her. Then she got into the head and legs, picking teeny morsels of meat off and consuming them herself. The process took so long that it gave the impression of someone with a large appetite.
The truth is, it was excruciating to watch, and blatantly obvious that there was a problem here. Oh, did I mention she was incredibly thin, with sunken eyes and cheeks? The interesting thing is that her boyfriend (of a short time) was sitting right next to her. We're talking about a strikingly handsome man. One with brains and dollar bills! It's not like he's desperate and can't go out with just about anyone he chooses. However, did he have issues with these peculiar tendencies of hers? Clearly he's attracted to the 'mawga gyal', but were she to be 20 pounds heavier, would he still like her?
The second episode, which gave me the final nudge into writing this article, occurred at a fashion show for women's clothing, which I attended one morning with a friend of mine. The music started, the lights came up, and out came 25 models, wearing the trends of Fall 2008. One by one they passed us in beautifully tailored suits, dresses and jackets. The first few were all size zero, of that I am sure. But their faces were filled out and quite beautiful. They might have been small, but they didn't look unhealthy. Then the next lot came out and I nearly choked. They looked as if they'd just been dug out of their graves. At five foot 10, and over, and weighing in at what looked like a 100 pounds each, the clothes hung on these women like they would on wire hangers.
You think they have blokes beating down their doors? Frankly, it would be a waste to take them out to restaurants! Do guys really like skinny ladies? I'm talking pure aesthetics here. No consideration of personality going on. Many magazines put pressure on us to look a certain way, and with the likes of those who wear the trends on these glossy pages, it's no wonder that we aim to shred kilos ALL the time!
When I was in high school, if any of us made a suggestion of dieting, the blokes would squash the idea with "Just nyam yuh food nuh!" BUT if one were on the overweight side, you think the same would be said to them? Nope. So what are the 'perfect' proportions for pulling some male interest? What exactly is the skinny on dating?
angelaphilippsja@hotmail.com
