There is nothing more enticing to a straight man than a beautiful woman.
But according to different cultures around the globe, not every man lives by the same
standard of beauty.
From women with large feet and filed, pointy teeth in Bali, to the lip and ear-stretching
rituals in parts of Africa and South America, it's easy to see that beauty is truly in the
eye of the beholder.
Curious about what men find attractive in different parts of the world?
Let’s kick things off with:
Bling ring
We've all seen images of the Karen women in parts of Myanmar and Thailand who wear heavy
brass rings around their necks.
The seemingly odd practice of the Padaung "long-neck" sub-tribe makes a woman more attractive
to the opposite sex in that culture, because they see it as a sign of beauty and wealth.
Although it may appear torturous to many Westerners for a woman to undergo the lengthening of
her neck, these rings are the ultimate accessory.
According to The Peoples of the World Foundation, "The weight of the rings pushes down the collar
bone, as well as the upper ribs, to such an angle that the collar bone actually appears
to be a part of the neck."
Kayan women begin wearing the rings by the age of four or five, with more rings added
as they become accustomed to the weight.
Calling all single dudes of Myanmar: these ladies are rocking up to 25 pounds of bling.
But, our next set of seductresses know you don’t need to sparkle to flash that sex
appeal...
Nose job hijab
Nose jobs aren't that uncommon in the United States, but Iran has become the rhinoplasty
capital of the world.
There, women are so proud of going under the knife that they’ll keep wearing their bandages
long after they're needed.
Some ladies wear surgical tape — even if they haven't gone under the knife!
Because women's bodies and hair are covered by a hijab and it makes no sense to spend
money on clothes, women wanna put their money where their nose is — and, what eligible
bachelors can actually see.
Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran, told ABC News, "[Women] have become more fashion
conscious because they are deprived of it.
Every woman likes to be happy, likes to be secure, likes to look good, to feel good...Iranians
are no different."
Okay cool...but what if he’s more of an "ear"-guy?
Earlobes for days
Members of the Masai tribe in Africa are known for their practice of wearing heavy jewelry
made of stones or elephant tusks to stretch their earlobes over time.
As time goes by, a woman's status in the Masai tribe is heightened by how elongated her earlobes
are.
To draw attention to them, Masai women adorn them with brightly colored beads and jewelry
to attract attention to their impressive size.
Pucker up, buttercup
Many Americans might consider a lip plate a form of body mutilation, but to a Mursi
or Suri woman in Ethiopia, it signals a female has reached childbearing age.
The process includes the removal of the two lower front teeth before a piercing is made
to allow a heavy clay or wooden disk to stretch the lower lip.
Like ear stretching, larger and larger disks are inserted over time to further elongate
the lip.
The larger the disk becomes, the greater the beauty, as it signifies maturity — which
is considered very attractive by the males of the tribe.
Inked
Māori women in New Zealand have traditionally adorned a tattoo on their chin to snag their
men.
The sacred tradition is known as Ta Moko.
Each moko is different and includes ancestral tribal information specific to the wearer.
The moko also displays the woman's family and tribal affiliations, as well as her social
status within her tribe.
While both men and women are tattooed, the main reason for women to tattoo their lips
and chins is for beauty.
Blogger Katie Wake-Ramos, who travels the globe studying beauty in different cultures,
says, "They are tattooed on their lips and chins and the more fuller their lips, the
more beautiful they are considered in their community."
The practice has changed over time, but it is still a major draw for a Māori man.
Dr. Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, a professor of psychology at Waikato University, explains, "Ta moko
today is much more than a fashion statement...It is about who we are, and whom we come from.
It is about where we are going, and how we choose to get there."
Full figured
In the African country of Mauritania, drought and famine is common, so — for a time — being
overweight became a way for men to determine a lady’s "prosperity".
A heavier woman became so desirable that girls as young as seven were sent to fat farms and
urged to eat in order to put on weight.
The BBC News reported some of these girls at fat-farms could end up weighing between
130 to 220 pounds.
In the report, Leila, a woman who had been fattened as a child, revealed that the practice
was losing its popularity.
She explained, "Traditionally, a fat wife was a symbol of wealth.
Now...to be beautiful is to be natural, just to eat normally."
Bollywood babe
Men go crazy for Indian women who rock nose rings, bindis, and henna to make themselves
more attractive — especially on important occasions such as weddings or festivals.
Cosmetic company L'Oréal notes that the Indian culture has always considered beauty an expression
of godliness and something to be revered.
L'Oréal said, "While eyeliner, jeweled and dyed bindis, and henna-stained hands and feet
have defined beauty for centuries — Bollywood presents another facet of Indian beauty where
color, shimmer and gloss are the order of the day.
Despite the size of the country and its regional diversity, this Bollywood-reinforced, pan-Indian
ideal of beauty is based on very specific criteria: fair skin, a silhouette with feminine
curves, big expressive eyes, and long, dark, shiny hair."
Le birthday suit
There is nothing more appealing to a French man than the "au naturel" look on women.
While many cultures choose heavy makeup, many women in France opt for the natural look — accentuating
their natural beauty with muted and warm tones.
French makeup artist Violette told Vogue, "What we want is to be ourselves — not a
better version of ourselves.
We think: What style can I have with this face, and with this hair?"
To look their best with minimal makeup, French women work hard to keep their skin in great
condition with creams and other cosmetics.
Violette says, "French women treat their 'base' as best as they can...we try to have amazing
skin, and an amazing body, and amazing hair, so we don't have to do too much else."
And speaking of that sexy confidence...
Slay on, girl
No matter your culture or where you come from, remember that what makes a woman especially
beautiful and attractive is her ability to be her unique and special self.
No man can resist a woman who is comfortable and confident in her own skin, so embrace
who you are, both inside and out — and own your place in the world.
This, ladies, is true beauty.
And all of us can agree on that.
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