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Writer's picturePokey

Adam Kisiel's "How to be an Attractive Man"

Takeaways from this Reddit post.


Face

Could Improve

Wear a face cream with UVA/UVB protection, at least SPF 15 every day to prevent wrinkles. It won't stop you from tanning and will keep you looking young.


Whiten your teeth, either annually at the dentist, semi-annually with a whitening kit, or, you can do it like me and swish with hydrogen peroxide every night.


Wash your face in cold water every day. A good burst of full-cold water in the shower should do ya.


Do Well and are Critical

Sleep 7-8 hours night. Keep a regular sleep schedule.


Cut your nose hair once a week. I'll add: ear, neck, and back hair


Stop touching your face. It gives you acne (and leads to scarring if you're picking at acne) and makes you look insecure.


Body

Could Improve

If you drink, opt for wine over beer. In moderation, it's good for the heart, less calorific than beer, and pairs with quality food. I'll add: drink strong drinks, avoid sugary drinks, drink sake


Do Well and Can Confirm Importance

Eat right. Figure out what this means for you. Eat more real protein, more vegetables, fresh fruit, and whole, unprocessed grains. Cut down on fried food. Track what you put in your body if it helps. I'll add: avoid processed foods


Speaking of exercise, go to the gym if you can afford it. You'll have access to a ton of equipment and the atmosphere can serve to push you harder. Also, a great place to meet people! I'll add: find a gym with a sauna


Get in the habit of walking with a straight back. You can do this by strengthening the muscles in your back (pull-ups with wide and pronated grip are a good one for this) and by reminding yourself to straighten your back throughout the day. I'll add: be self-aware of how you sit


Get rid of the belly. It's basic physics everybody -- burn more energy than you consume. Sweets, soda, beer, simple carbs -- all enemies.


Include shoulder exercises in your workouts. Muscular shoulders are a big part of the quintessential "manly" appearance. I'll add: pullups are the best


Personality

Could Improve

On this subject, memorize the titles and authors of books that you've read. If it comes up, you'll sound like you know what you're talking about. I'll add: have a go-to book


make stuff happen! Most people tend to be afraid of initiating things, so be the one to set something in motion. Call your friends! Invite people out! I'll add: I use to think the world revolved around me.


Do Well and Can Confirm Importance

Read at least one book a month. Surely there is something you've been meaning to read? Go to a bookstore or a library. Download the ebook. I'll add: the more you learn, the more you realize you don't know


Travel. Get out and see whatever it is you can see. Let your scope expand to your budget. If money is tight, become a local expert on cool places near you. I'll add: traveling changes your perspective for the better a ridiculous amount


Instead of buying stuff, spend your money doing cool stuff. If people want to be around you because of your stuff, then they aren't really friends. I'll add: stuff is expensive. trends change. be a minimalist and only buy stuff you love


Be empathetic toward others. Think about the interests, feelings, and motivations of others frequently. I'll add: we aren't here for a long time. be compassionate and fun


Be dependable. When your friends or family need you, be there. It's the right thing. I'll add: Charlie Munger says this is the most important trait in your career


Mind

Could Improve

When other people talk, listen with your full attention. Be confident enough to truly be present and listen to people; don't use the other person's turn in the conversation to think about what you plan to say next. If you really need to think before you speak, take a pause. You don't have to gab any time there's a silence.


Do Well and Can Confirm Importance

Don't fall prey to analysis paralysis. Take action. Pursue it and hope for the best. I'll add: Do and Learn. I used to be bad at this.


Embrace challenges. When tasked with something that you've never done before, or that you don't know how to do, don't just give up. Try it, and try your best. Worst case scenario, you've gained some experience. I'll add: failure isn't a bad thing.


Don't rely on stereotypes. The main function of stereotyping is making one feel better about oneself by depreciating others. An attractive man feels well because he knows his own qualities, so don't comfort yourself by the perceived flaws of others. I'll add: using labels to describe someone is lame and unintelligent.


Get closer to the people and things that make you smile and laugh. Laugh daily. It's healthy and everybody finds cheerful people more interesting than depressing people. It's infectious. I'll add: avoid boring people.


Remember that you're never too old for anything. If there is something you would like to do, than do it. I'll add: stay a kid as long as possible.


Clothing

Could Improve

Change your underwear to black. Wear boxer briefs or something shorter if you prefer -- whatever you feel comfortable in. Avoid boxer shorts covered with "fun" patterns.


Have at least three white shirts. You can wear them under jackets and blazers, and with the right trousers and shoes, a white shirt can give you a great classy summer look. Always opt for long-sleeves when you can, as you can always roll the sleeves up.


Do Well and Can Confirm Importance

Wear clothes with fit. This is the single most important principle in the area of clothing. Try on clothes before you buy them. Pants should stay in place without a belt and should brush against your shoes. Shirts and jackets should fit well on the shoulders and as narrow in the waist as is possible without reducing comfort. I'll add: many companies let you try on and return for free.


Take proper care of your shoes. Shoe maintenance keeps shoes alive and saves you money, as does buying higher quality shoes that won't wear out as quickly. If you have time, clean and polish your shoes weekly. With sport shoes, just toss them in the washing machine and set it so slow spin mode. When finished, put some old newspaper inside and let them dry out. I'll add: it's really not that toughto keep white shoes clean.


Match your clothes by color. Try to follow the two-color rule: a main color and secondary color. Two-Thirds of your outfit should of the main color, the rest the secondary color (white and blacks excluded). I'll add: Pinterest and Bonobos app have good styling recommendations. Everyone has an image of what looks good. Saying, "I don't know/have style is a cop-out.


Avoid looking like you have been trying to hard with your clothing. Remember that the best dressed people look completely at ease, and like they just happened to put on things that look cool, not like they've obsessed over it. I'll add: don't take your look too serious that you're uncomfortable.


Next time you shop for clothes, bring a brutally honest friend with you to give advice. Don't ask sales associates; they are there to make commission (no shame). If your friend tells you you don't look perfect, don't be offended. They are helping you. I'll add: feedback is not offending.


Hygiene and grooming

Could Improve

You should probably get rid of any back hair. You can wax, use an electric hair remover, or opt for permanent hair removal if you can afford it. (I just shave off the little bit of fuzz I get on my lower back, so I don't have a ton of experience here.)


Clean your ears, including trimming hair poking out of them.


Do Well and Can Confirm Importance

Take a shower everyday. Buy a body scrub, get some simple soap, and scrub your body, especially chest, armpits, groin, butt, and feet. You can wash your hair every other day, but shampoo it when it gets greasy. I'll add: Think Dirty app is a handy resource to make sure your soap is clean.


Eliminate bad breath. In addition to flossing and brushing daily, be sure to brush or scrape your tongue. If you have white discoloration on your tongue, you most likely have bad breath. Brush that junk off. I'll add: can't live with bad breath.


Remove excessive body hair. You don't have to be as smooth as the day you were born, but it isn't the seventies anymore. Easiest way is to get an electric razor with guards, put the guard on it, stand in the shower with the water off, and shave until everything is even. Use Google as tips for anything further. I'll add: keep hair tight.


Living Habits

Could Improve

Do as many ordinary daily activities as you can outdoors. Eat outdoors. Read a book in the park. Go on a walk with your business partner instead of meeting in the office.


Have a hobby. Or two. What turns you on? What makes you feel alive, excited, thrilled? What keeps you up at night? Find that and do it.


Learn how to cook. Obviously you can never completely "learn how to cook", but take the time to learn a few basic skills that will allow you to throw some meals together. When around others who are familiar with cooking, watch them as they do it and ask them questions about it.


Drink more alcohol but in smaller amounts at a sitting. Get buzzed and sociable instead of wasted and incoherent. Know your limits.


Clean your home once a week. A pleasant looking home makes you feel a lot better and look a lot better. Also helps in case of an unexpected guest.


Do Well and Can Confirm Importance

Explore music genres that are different from your favorite one. Ask a friend for their five favorite albums. Listen to the bests out of different genres. (I think this should apply to media in general. Books, movies, games -- just keep exploring.) I'll add: music is a great way to make connections


Get rid of things you do not use. There are many decluttering methods out there. I like the KonMari method. I'll add: this is life-changing.


Try to diversify income sources. Easier said than done, but if you can find a way to make even a tiny bit of money doing something you really like to do (and you already have a sufficient main income), then make that side income. I'll add: sell things on eBay and buy stocks if you don't have a side hustle


Get rid of services that suck up your wallet. How many online services are you subscribed to? How many of them do you use? How many of them do you need? Cut the cords and pay fewer bills. I'll add: share streaming services with friends and families. Books & Games > TV


Treat yourself every once in a while. If there's something you really want to do, have, or experience but, you feel it is too expensive or unnecessary just do it. Life is about spending your time in pleasant and meaningful ways. I'll add: money dial: ramp up spending on things you love. Cut deliberately everywhere else.


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