Love sure is a funny business

MOST guys would prefer an average-looking, playful woman with a good sense of humour than a supermodel, new research suggests.

Pavli

IT used to be a matter of whether a girl was attractive to determine whether she was marriage material.

But most guys would prefer an average-looking, playful woman with a good sense of humour than a supermodel. New research has found men ranked sense of humour as the highest priority in a mate, with a fun-loving nature third and playful fifth, putting physical attractiveness down the list at ninth.

Women also look for someone who is fun and has a good sense of humour, but also believe a man with kindness and understanding is more important, the American Journal of Play study found.

Entre Nous principal Rosalind Baker said fun was what most single people wanted at the start of any relationship. "When you first meet someone it's only natural to want a bit of fun and get that spark first before looking for the long-term qualities," she said.

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"Once they are aware of their long-term relationship needs, the other important characteristics kick in and fun slips down the list."

Ms Baker said honesty, trust, understanding, openness, respect, kindness, caring, warmth, loving and affectionate traits were things both men and women desire after the initial "fun stage".

"Even though a man is seeking a woman who will be kind to his parents, be the perfect mother for his children, the ideal partner to support him in his career, the most wonderful hostess and world's best housekeeper, he also wants a playmate - someone he can relax with and have fun," she said. "If he doesn't get that in a woman, that's when he's most likely to find a playmate outside the relationship."

Lucas Pavli and his wife Rachael said physical attraction is crucial to sparking any good relationship. "I think once you get to know the person it's all about their personality and some intelligence as well," Mr Pavli, 31, said.

"But you definitely need to have that physical level of attraction too.

"You're going to be together forever so you do need a combination of everything. It's all about the whole package."

Mrs Pavli said kindness and understanding were important qualities that were underrated and often overlooked. "There's too many guys out there without those important qualities," she said.