This is a good thread and question, I think it brings up the complex issue of a sort of semi-automatic instant initial evaluation women do.
There is a concept called "bella figura" in Italy, and when people say "looking good" in the land of Michaelangelo and Ferrari, I don't think they
mean working class chic as known in The Murka.
http://www.cjoc.ca/pdf/Vol%202%20F%202%2...200914.PDF
Cross culturally, I imagine there's three obvious "reaction categories" in a woman's mind, conscious or unconscious.
This probably applies to many women, but in older societies ( Roman= 2500 years; Murkan = 250) there are probably some older
standards that people have little interest in breaching.
I grew up in the East Coast and had contact with Italian-American families of the working and middle class, and have some familiarity with the style. I don't have a lot of direct knowledge of Italian-in-Italy culture, but my close friend grew up there and has an acute eye for social mores.
1) ACCEPTABLE-- Guy level that's clearly acceptable-- To an 7+ Italian, it might mean
a) tall, Northern Italian or "better" (lighter) ethnicity-- (People from the South of Italy are looked down on by those from the North, there's no real analog in America as it isn't clearly racial, it's more social and educational class, but the people in the South look darker. "Acceptable" ethnicity may very well exclude non-famous Americans, who may be viewed as sex tourists or simply gauche.
You may be familiar with the Italian idea of "Bella Figura", a sort of social and style grace without which upper middle class chicks are going to discount you immediately. Upper middle class Italians speak softly and very politely, in marked contrast to Jersey Shore type working class [more like Southern] Italians.
b) Age close to hers ( 10? years max diff depending on money/fame/social class)
2) POSSIBLE -- What it sounds like. You might look the part, but she wants to know your educational and social status. Or she might like your clothes, but is iffy on your sex appeal.
3) Immediate DISQUALIFY. Short, old, ugly, race....whatever she decides it is.
An important thing about some European culture: They are not in denial about class differences like Murkans are. if you're obviously working class, and she's upper middle class, you may be sunk unless you've inherited Godlike looks. Game can help you if you're marginal, but if you're an "immediate disqualify"...
There is a concept called "bella figura" in Italy, and when people say "looking good" in the land of Michaelangelo and Ferrari, I don't think they
mean working class chic as known in The Murka.
http://www.cjoc.ca/pdf/Vol%202%20F%202%2...200914.PDF
Cross culturally, I imagine there's three obvious "reaction categories" in a woman's mind, conscious or unconscious.
This probably applies to many women, but in older societies ( Roman= 2500 years; Murkan = 250) there are probably some older
standards that people have little interest in breaching.
I grew up in the East Coast and had contact with Italian-American families of the working and middle class, and have some familiarity with the style. I don't have a lot of direct knowledge of Italian-in-Italy culture, but my close friend grew up there and has an acute eye for social mores.
1) ACCEPTABLE-- Guy level that's clearly acceptable-- To an 7+ Italian, it might mean
a) tall, Northern Italian or "better" (lighter) ethnicity-- (People from the South of Italy are looked down on by those from the North, there's no real analog in America as it isn't clearly racial, it's more social and educational class, but the people in the South look darker. "Acceptable" ethnicity may very well exclude non-famous Americans, who may be viewed as sex tourists or simply gauche.
You may be familiar with the Italian idea of "Bella Figura", a sort of social and style grace without which upper middle class chicks are going to discount you immediately. Upper middle class Italians speak softly and very politely, in marked contrast to Jersey Shore type working class [more like Southern] Italians.
b) Age close to hers ( 10? years max diff depending on money/fame/social class)
2) POSSIBLE -- What it sounds like. You might look the part, but she wants to know your educational and social status. Or she might like your clothes, but is iffy on your sex appeal.
3) Immediate DISQUALIFY. Short, old, ugly, race....whatever she decides it is.
An important thing about some European culture: They are not in denial about class differences like Murkans are. if you're obviously working class, and she's upper middle class, you may be sunk unless you've inherited Godlike looks. Game can help you if you're marginal, but if you're an "immediate disqualify"...