Shy Guys are Attractive to Women

Roguishness may have a certain appeal and charisma but when it comes to getting the girl, nice guys really do finish first. Scientists have shown that nice guys, often dismissed as being wimps, shy and lacking in excitement, are actually more attractive to women than macho men.

Psychologist and professor Mark Van Vugt set up a series of experiments designes to test the pros and cons of being nice. Volunteers were given a fictional sum of money and asked to make donations. Some contributions were made public, while others were kept confidential. Members of the group were also asked what they thought of the others and to rate them in terms of status and leadership potential.

The results showed that people gave away more money when their donations were made public. He believes that while the selfless may lose out in the short term, using up time, energy and even money, to help others works in the long run.

This is because their kindness raises them in others' estimations, giving them a higher social status and more opportunities - both in work and in love.