Does ethnicity/skin color make a difference in who you find attractive?

[punkreader]

Before I say anything else, know that this question is going to sound racist to some - I'm about the farthest from a racist as anyone else I know (well, I know one, and he's a crackhead that no one - including me - speaks to). But does anyone else have an innate attraction to those of a different ethnicity or... *cringes and waits for bricks* skin color?

I'm a white girl (not very thrilled about it) who grew up in a very culturally and ethnically diverse city. I got used to seeing all sorts of different people around, mostly immigrants - and I liked that. I like it still a lot (especially now that I've moved to a small, Conservative Hotzgeplotz where everyone - everyone - is white). I don't find the majority of "white" or typical (read: Caucasian) ethnicity all that attractive. If someone is of a different ethnicity (say, Asian, Latino, or Arab), I find them very, very attractive. People who look like and have a similar ethnic background to me? Not...so much.

Are there plenty of attractive people like that out there? Sure, there are - just not ones I happen to know personally.

Does it play a role for anyone else in terms of attractiveness or sexual desire? What gets you hot?

For me, it's darker skin - someone that doesn't look at all like me, your typical white girl - who absolutely can't stand herself or her looks, and if s/he's come from someplace different, or is proud of his/her ethnic heritage (unlike me). Though this usually runs more strongly for me when it comes to other women.

 

[slantoflight]

I think it's easy to mix up attraction and fetish. One can be attracted to other races/ethnicities, but seeking out people for any stereotype they supposedly represent (fetishizing) is not so good. I'm not saying you're doing this. I'm just mentioning it because it's an important point to make.

I'm black and mostly attracted to white and/or Latino men. I was born and raised in nyc, which is a place that's as ethnically diverse as you can get. Growing up, I've seen family members in interracial relationships. I'm proud of my West Indian heritage, but I'm not so attracted to West Indian men.

Interesting questions!

 

[JuanVato]

Skin tone =/= Race

I have only lived one place for a few years where Anglos were the majority.

I have known 'blancos' who are more 'white looking' than Angelina Jolie, Catherine Zeta Jones, or Snookie.

In some places 'el guapo gringo' is not considered a joke.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I like a contrast in color. Since I'm olive, and I tan easily, this means I get a fine contrast with African black skin, or Anglo super-white skin, either one.

But it isn't only the skin color. I enjoy seeing ethnic faces too, and the subtle differences in body languages as people interact with each other, and alll the foood!

I grew up in Los Angeles, where everyone showed up, the entire Pacific rim, plus the beauties of the four continents, what with the film industry and all. I hung out with Japanese and Thai, Blacks and Cholos, Irish ex-pats,all of them become California surfers...

When I moved to Chicago, I felt like I'd moved to a monochrome world-- but i soon learned to see the differences in anglo groups and cultures, all the eastern block immigrants-- Poles and Georgians and Latvians and Czech, and the heavily derided and disliked Belarus. And the Indian immigrants who center on Devon Street.


Writing this post reminded me of the song; I dig everyday people

damn, I'd forgtten how many great songs this band made!

 

[Experiencedguy]

Like most of the readers on this site (I think), I am as unbiased as anyone. As a white bi male, whom attended a high school where whites were the definate, extreme minority, I grew up totally without predjudice. And, after several years of extensive world travel, here is where I go:

For an overnight stand, female: Asian. Any country, as long as they have the look. Close second: American Indian. Korean/African gals can be a real turn on.

For a male: Black or any foreign accent.

For more than a one night stand: Depends what is inside the person, not the outside.

 

[DarkBee]

I've been living in what is possibly the most culturally diverse city in the world (Amsterdam, people of 178 different nationalities live here) for the last 10 years, so I like to keep an open mind and judge on a 'case-by-case' basis, although I lean most towards east Asian women.

 

[bb4ls]

yes!!

 

[RjThoughts]

What strikes me funny, about myself, is that, as a young teen, I was "mysteriously" drawn towards girls of Italian descend and girls who showed "Celtic" genes - redheads with alabastar skin and eye colors which were green, gray, hazel, or heather. Dunno why, it just was. I may look Italian, but I'm not: Mom's 100% third generation Polish, dad was half-French (via Louisiana not Quebec), half-Mohawk.

I met my wife and that blew it all away: She's your basic WASP.

 

[sunandshadow]

Well, I'm strongly drawn to fishbelly white skin, black hair, narrow noses, and high cheekbones. I don't really know why, although it's a look that strikes me as kind of noble and elegant. Me, I grew up in a place where almost everyone has brown hair, skin ranging from a pink/peach through a light tan to a dark tan, medium width noses, and average cheekbones, and I look like that too, except that my skin has a slightly yellowy tone as a diabetes side-effect. It probably would sound racist if I phrased it as "I want lovers who are whiter than white" or "dark skin and broad noses are unattractive", but I really don't give a crap about race or ethnicity, it's just an aesthetic thing.

 

[Cicca_Jai]

I have a serious thing for Indian men. Not American Indians, Indians from India... they are so Effin hott!

 

[peebudy]

I've never made love to a black chick but there's a woman at work that really turns me on. I went to PR once and found the carmel complexion of women over there to be incredibly sexy.

 

[Lost_Yonder]

for me it less skin color as it is cultural difference. There is something about being with someone that has such different background, experiences, assumptions, sexual culture than oneself. That difference might be ethnicity/nationality/race, but could also be class. I have tended to date women from different countries mostly. Perhaps it is bursting out of my very homogenous, wasp, environment growing up, perhaps it is just part of my own love for travel. I don't know, but give me an accent and a slightly different look, and I just melt!

Lost Yonder!

 

[MiamiFirefighter]

I'm as hispanic as they come born in Cuba and raised in Miami. Miami being a melting pot for all ethnicities... In Miami Hispanics are a majority and Anglos are a minority... I find white women very sexy and quite different, which is good.. When you come across one here it's like winning the lotto hahaha... Como a mi me encanta las mujeres americana!!!

 

[HeyAll]

I grew up (and still live) in an ethincly diverse area. Ethnicity & skin color are mostly irrelevent to me. To me, an attractive woman is an attractive woman. I've never really been drawn to 'exotic' women the other some men seem to be.

But if I had to choose a preference, I guess it would be lighter skin.

 

[peachesmelba]

Absolutely NOT

I am Native American, Irish and German....and look like white bread. I've dated all races, colors, ages, sizes... It's about the person

 

[Friendly_Guy]

I'm white. I'm more attracted to white women.

I don't dislike other races. And I can certainly look at an attractive black woman, or Indian woman, or Latina woman and see that she's attractive. But I'm just rarely going to have a carnal desire to get all touchy and naked with her.

I liken it to a gay man. Gay men often find women attractive, but aren't attracted to them. They just need men to light their fire.

I don't think there's anything to apologize for with that. You can't help who you're attracted to.

That's not to say that there aren't exceptions. Beyonce, for example, is a black woman that I would do wonderfully unspeakable things to. (You know, if she would actually let me. Though I'd imagine the evening would end quickly with me getting clobbered by her security detail while she sang "Replaceable" to me.)

And I'm by no means attracted to all white women. Sweet dear lord, no I am not.

 

[Adre]

I love every color. If someone wants me, that makes them beautiful. I'm not about to say, you're not quite the right hue...move on.

 

[MiamiFirefighter]

Everyone has preferences.. Theres alot of customs and traditions that different cultures bring. Being attractive and having an enjoyable personality are two different animals..traditions influence strongly on how the person thinks and act.. With that being said, some women or men find those traits to be more preferable for them.

 

[lk70]

I'm white, of Celtic background (although there is one lonely Cherokee back there) and grew up among others of Celtic, British, and Germanic backgrounds. I'm attracted to the same, generally speaking. I often find black men appealing, and sometimes Korean, but never Hispanic, Japanese or Chinese. I find the same types of women attractive.

No clue why.

 

[photobuff56]

Dark

Before I say anything else, know that this question is going to sound racist to some - I'm about the farthest from a racist as anyone else I know (well, I know one, and he's a crackhead that no one - including me - speaks to). But does anyone else have an innate attraction to those of a different ethnicity or... *cringes and waits for bricks* skin color?

I'm a white girl (not very thrilled about it) who grew up in a very culturally and ethnically diverse city. I got used to seeing all sorts of different people around, mostly immigrants - and I liked that. I like it still a lot (especially now that I've moved to a small, Conservative Hotzgeplotz where everyone - everyone - is white). I don't find the majority of "white" or typical (read: Caucasian) ethnicity all that attractive. If someone is of a different ethnicity (say, Asian, Latino, or Arab), I find them very, very attractive. People who look like and have a similar ethnic background to me? Not...so much.

Are there plenty of attractive people like that out there? Sure, there are - just not ones I happen to know personally.

Does it play a role for anyone else in terms of attractiveness or sexual desire? What gets you hot?

For me, it's darker skin - someone that doesn't look at all like me, your typical white girl - who absolutely can't stand herself or her looks, and if s/he's come from someplace different, or is proud of his/her ethnic heritage (unlike me). Though this usually runs more strongly for me when it comes to other women.

I get turned on by any ethnic race and I have always loved asains

 

[PaulBlart]

I'm pasty white, but I find that I'm more attracted to dark women (black, latina, etc.). The contrast in skin color between them and me is an incredible turn on. And, my favorite dirty talk during sex ever was, "yeah, fuck me white boy". You just don't get to hear that from a blond WASP.

 

[mellowyellows]

I think it does make a difference in initial physical attraction.

 

[Damsel76]

I am white woman, and I have to admit, that something about old school Hispanic men really turns me on. It is their arrogant and intense swagga I guess, that makes my knees weak. Lets not forget that "protective attitude", also known as jealousy

When I'm misbehaving, one look from he makes me wanna run back home, streight to bed room and say "si papi", and I'm not even sub
It's beautiful to see his darker skin color next to mine...

 

[lothwen]

I am attracted to black men, but not all black men. I am attracted to Eastern Europeans, but not all Eastern Europeans. Catching a pattern here yet?


I've known people who will only date somebody of a specific race. That's their main criteria when it comes to a partner. I think you can get into a lot of trouble if you overlook a person's flaws simply because of the way they look, whether it be their height, body-type, or skin color.

 

[Damsel76]

I am attracted to black men, but not all black men. I am attracted to Eastern Europeans, but not all Eastern Europeans. Catching a pattern here yet?


I've known people who will only date somebody of a specific race. That's their main criteria when it comes to a partner. I think you can get into a lot of trouble if you overlook a person's flaws simply because of the way they look, whether it be their height, body-type, or skin color.

I agree. Of course it takes more than just a specific ethnical background or feature to be attracted to someone. We are talking about ethnical attractions in general though, aren't we?