Now that science has solved the question of the Higgs Boson particle, it can move on to the really pressing questions, like “Who is more handsome – British or American men?”
Usually my response to hard-hitting questions like this is, “Gentlemen, please, don’t fight – you’re all gorgeous.” But I happened on a scene this week that made me revisit this issue.
A friend organised a Fourth of July dinner at The Big Easy on the King’s Road – an incredibly kitschy, loud slice of Americana among the Sloanes. There were huge platters of ribs and chicken, cocktails served in jam jars and a couple of guys on guitars singing every bar standard going, from The Eagles to the Spin Doctors.
At one point, I looked up from my macaroni cheese around the room and noticed something that made me lean in close to my friend J and comment: “Have you noticed how many handsome men there are here?”
Crowded into every table, sometimes in groups of four or six sat men with impossibly glossy looks, tousled hair, outfits that looked slightly unkempt yet put together. You could see the muscles rippling underneath their shirts and their faces glowed with healthy tans. They were all swigging beer from bottles and tearing into big platters of meat. I mean, you’re kidding me, right? It was Being Matthew McConaughey, at every table in the restaurant.
Now, Matthew may not be your thing. He’s not really mine. But there was no denying the sheer amount of male beauty in the room. And it was all 100% American in some way that you can’t really put your finger on, except you know it when you see it.
As a class I find men on this side of the pond enormously appealing. I love the style, charm and manners of British men – after all, I did marry one. But this latest piece of research has thrown up all kinds of questions. Such as, Do those biceps come standard? and Does that tan wipe off?
In this case, the landslide of new data may have edged my home country fellows a bit ahead in the handsome stakes. Undoubtedly more research is called for.
What does your data gathering tell you?
In my opinion, for research purposes of course, you need a trip to Italy. Throw the Italian male population into the equation and you’ll get an even bigger bang than the Higgs Boson but I may be biased
Oooh. I’d forgotten about the Italians. Perhaps we need to do some fieldwork together on the topic, Mari?
I’m not sure; I certainly think US guys take better of themselves in the situation you’re talking about (living abroad, relatively young, usually single or living as if they are). But – can I put a vote in for the Dutch? Tall, often handsome, almost always engaging (well – I DID marry one, so perhaps I’m a little biased…).
Ah the Dutch – the dark horses in the handsome stakes. Another benefit of Dutch men – multilingual! They speak Dutch, they speak English, they often know another language. Wait, what did you did you think I meant when I said “multilingual”?
Well, I can’t really comment can I as I’m married to an American and we met in London so I chose him above the Brits. They do have whiter teeth that’s for sure.
Having just spent a month in England though, I do miss that certain je ne sais quoi about English men; the dry humour and the willingness to take the mick out of themselves. Very attractive.
Agreed – you can’t beat that dry humour and quirky worldview.
I too am married to an American (although it was never the plan!). I can relate to the scene you described though, they do somehow look good for the most part. However, my personal data gathering has shown Scandinavian men to be very high in the handsome stakes 😉
Oooh I love a new data set to make things interesting… 🙂
Hey – you have never been in a room with all Cypriot men – have you?? Dark, curly hair, hairy chests, who could ask for anything more!! Hee hee – that’s in case my Cypriot reads this…I have to vote for the accent and the floppy hair. British men all the way!!
From an American!
Susan , you bring up an excellent point. One can’t ignore the other nationalities but in a race between the two — well, it’s tough to call.
Of course I will say Scottish! (Do you know what they wear under their kilts?)
I’ve heard stories!