Money, charm and bluster: the male profiles women fall for

The handsome smooth talker beats the millionaire 99% of the time. Musicians and radio hosts with the gift of the gab break the mold.

English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published

The handsome smooth talker beats the millionaire, and the number stings

The age-old question of what kind of man succeeds with women is almost always answered with money, fame or looks. But a recent round of testimonials adds an uncomfortable fourth factor: well-executed bluster. You don't need real businesses, just the appearance of having them.

The snake oil salesman: the despised profile that wins big

Some argue that if a businessman with a healthy bank account crosses paths with a better-looking snake oil salesman, the second one wins the game. The figure being thrown around is so round it hurts: 99% of cases, according to one observation. Napoleon's classic formula —three things to win a war: money, money and money— falls short when the rival puts posturing on the table. The aesthetics of fakeness —speeches about "business all over the world" and a conveniently forgotten wallet— works better than boring solvency. The example that keeps coming up is the parlor con artist who declares herself a homebody while promising to keep the books for the gullible. Packaging, they say, beats substance.

Ugly musicians and radio hosts with the gift of the gab: the exception without millions

It's not all money or perfect looks. Musicians with a small band and a radio host described as ugly but very smooth-talking appear as profiles that succeed without needing to fill their pockets. Their asset is verbal skill and stage presence. Fame, on the other hand, doesn't count: footballers, singers and actors win because they come with a zero on the right multiplied, not because of their natural charm.

Without millions, is there anything left?

The thought experiment running through the conversation is ruthless: take away the famous people's fortunes and see what happens. The conclusion that emerges is skeptical. Without the millions, success fades and only those who look after themselves at the gym survive, and even then for a very specific audience. The sarracena of this round of testimonials offers no comfort to the average man: attractiveness lies more in the packaging than in the promise of fidelity. Until someone asks for the bill.

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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (12 replies).

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