Attractiveness Isn't About Appearance. It's About How You Express Your Emotions

When we talk about attractiveness, we think of appearance, which is something we can’t control much. Or we would think of character for a second. But researches have found another hidden factor that is key to determine one’s attractiveness.

In one study^[1], participants were asked to watch video clips of women who expressed emotions differently. Then they were asked who they found more attractive. It turned out that if they understood the woman’s emotions better, they found them more attractive. Such finding is quite surprising that usually people would consider cool and mysterious people as more attractive. Instead, the more you express your emotions, and the easier your emotions are to be read, the more attractive you become.

This experiment was done by Silke Anders, a professor of Social and Affective Neuroscience at the University of Lübeck in Germany. Apart from asking them who were more attractive, the researchers also measured their brain activity. And there was indeed increased activity in the area of the brain which is responsible for processing how attractive one person is, when they were certain about the emotions of the women.

Another study^[2] got similar results. This time instead of video clips volunteers were asked to observe photos of six different men and women, who show emotions at different extent. It turned out those who didn’t express much emotions were the least attractive ones.

So…how to be more expressive?

Common language

Try to use some common language with the person you’re talking to. For example, if he always uses the word “Oh my…”, try to use it sometimes too (not too often though) to express your surprising feelings. The person would have a stronger understanding of how you feel as you speak a common language.

Smile

Whenever you don’t know how to show your expression, just smile. It can show your friendliness and people would know you’re approachable even if you’re not very expressive.

Hand gestures

Don’t overlook the power of your hands. Remember when people argue they often do it with their hands? Remember how charismatic leaders persuade with their hands? Your hands tell a lot. Anger, resentment, nervousness, excitement, etc. Always free up your hands and let them dance in the air. People will get what you mean much better.

Reference

[1]	^	Bright Side: This Secret Will Make You More Attractive According to TIME
[2]	^	Exploring Your Mind: How Your Emotions Make You More Attractive

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Want To Sound More Confident? Avoid These 3 Things In Your Conversation

Usually when we want to be more confident, we’re told to do this and that. Instead of adding, what about getting rid of some of our habits? We have learned these habits as children. And often we learned them by watching our elders engaging in conversation. Polite conversation is probably one of the worst things we learned because it teaches that our opinions and knowledge are not valued when we assert them.

Below are 3 things people often use in conversations that largely decrease their persuasive power. Remember less is more. When you can cut these 3 kinds of language from your conversation, you’ll instantly become sound more confident and convincing.

1. Hedges Are a No-No

Hedges are defined as vague language and are often considered to be “polite” conversation. It allows you to engage without asserting yourself. Some examples are:

• Possibly
• Maybe
• Might
• Seems

These words imply that you are unbiased or avoiding persuading anyone to agree. While that could be okay in some situations, for the most part, you really need to avoid those words and use powerful words instead that portray your authority. Examples are:

• Definitely
• Clearly
• Surely
• Plainly

By using the above words, you assert that you know plenty about the subject at hand and wish to persuade another with your knowledge.

2. Avoid Disclaimers

In legal terms, disclaimer statements are to prevent any incorrect understanding of a subject. People are more likely to use this type of language when they question their own confidence in their knowledge. Often, we are more knowledgeable than we realize and relegate to unconfident language.  Some examples of disclaimers are:

• “I am not completely sure, but….”
• “I am not an authority on the subject, but….”
• “It could go either way, but…”

One common theme you see is the use of hedges and negative language to relegate the speaker into an unconfident realm. The other common denominator is the use of the word “but” after the use of negative and/or hedge language. This can become a bad habit and it’s best to practice changing it. When you find yourself about to use the disclaimer language, try one of these:

• “I am certain that…..”
• “I recently learned…..”
• “It will go [insert opinion]…..”

3. Stay Away from Tagging

Tag questions are just one more habit many of us have when we are engaged in conversation. Here are a few examples of tag questions:

• “… don’t you agree?”
• “… don’t you think?”
• “… right?”
• “… wouldn’t it?”

The biggest concern with tag questions is that they convey us as seeking validation for our opinion. However, highly confident speakers do not seek out validation to their points. The best way to combat the use of tag questions is to avoid using any question for validation at the end of your statement. If you pose a question, it should be nothing more than “Any questions?”.

Remember again, less is more.

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Smiljan Radic - Wood house, Colico Lake 2015. The stilt like...

Illustrations by Iain Macarthur Iain Macarthur is a freelance... crss

Illustrations by Iain Macarthur

Iain Macarthur is a freelance illustrator born in Swindon, England in 1986. He became a fanatic of art at the age of eight when he was first introduced to art through the medium of cartoon television shows and comic books. In 2008 Lain graduated from Swindon College with a degree in HND Illustration.  

My work can be described as surreal and unique in its own way. Using mostly pencil, watercolours and pigment pens, I create portraits of ordinary people but create them in a unusual way by, embellishing patterns and watercolour effects into the portrait to give a vivid explosion effect transforming their faces from something plain to something entirely bizarre and wonderful at the same time.

Artist website, Facebook and Instagram.

Connect to more passionate artwork on our Facebook page

posted by Margaret

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KimuraMatsumoto Architects - House and atelier T, Kuoto 2015....

Charming Tuscan Villa in PalaiaSet amidst seven hectares of...

Charming Tuscan Villa in Palaia

Set amidst seven hectares of olive groves in the province of Pisa, this charming countryside retreat is a wonderful Tuscan-style home whose interiors combine original architectural features such as terracotta floors and exposed wooden beams with elegant contemporary accents. Laid on two floors, the property sleeps 8 guests in 4 romantically decorated bedrooms.

Aside from the fully equipped kitchen and spacious living/dining area downstairs, the villa boasts an additional relaxation lounge with a striking ancient fireplace, as well as three modern bathrooms. The cherry on top is the structure’s traditional tower, from where you can take in spectacular views of the rolling Tuscan hills.  

During the warm season, guests can take advantage of some lovely outdoor facilities, including alfresco dining areas, BBQ, an original wood-fired oven, and a turquoise swimming pool overlooking the valley below.

crossconnectmag: Homeless Dog Found In Garbage Becomes The Lion... crss

crossconnectmag:

Homeless Dog Found In Garbage Becomes The Lion He Deserves To Be

When German photographer Julia Marie Werner found a scruffy homeless dog hunting for scraps of food in her garage in Spain, she fell in love with him immediately. While other people saw nothing but a homeless mutt, she saw a brave little lion, and she now wants the world to share her vision with this heartwarming series of photographs.

“He already looked like Simba to me,” Julia told Bored Panda. “And I am a big Lion King Fan. A friend of mine had some fabric left over so one afternoon we stitched the mane together.”

The cute canine model is named Tschikko Leopold von Werner, and the project is called Grossstadtlowe, which means “Big City Lion”. And as you can see from these pictures, he really does look like the king of the (urban) jungle!

“In the beginning he was very insecure,” said Julia. “Someone who knows a lot about dogs told me the best thing is “working“ with him and teaching him some tricks. He loves jumping on things and using the mane. The picture are both a game and teamwork between us.”

Julia believes that Tschikko was left to fend for himself after being thrown from a car in Spain. He’s come a long way since then, not just emotionally but also geographically, as after deciding to adopt him Julia brought Tschikko back to live with her in Germany.

“Everybody takes pictures of him,” said Julia. “Little kids often ask me if he is a real lion!”

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Russian Nuclear Icebreakers: to the North Pole!

Odyssey in the Arctic with the Russian Icebreaker Fleet 

The nuclear-powered icebreakers were considered the symbol of Soviet technological power for many decades. Today this fleet is still used to aid ship navigation in the seas north of Siberia - but also for the purpose of elite tourism, which surely helps to pay the bills. 

The most powerful of all icebreakers - "50 years of Victory" (one of six "Arktika" class)- has two nuclear reactors and is capable of reaching North Pole in just a couple of days. 




Svetlana Bogdanova has recently returned from a very special trip on board the icebreaker "Vaigach" and provided us with these unique photographs. Thanks to her exclusive permission (including collection of photos from the seamen of the Murmansk Sea Shipping Company) we can now offer you a glimpse of what it really means to follow along the caravan of ships in the Northern seas, led by a colossal nuclear-powered vessel. 





Svetlana says: "A nuclear icebreaker almost feels alive, like a huge proud creature with a benevolent and dependable character. See it moving in the dark of night, projecting a powerful light ahead, making the snow sparkle in a misty path, feel it tremble under your feet... Its sheer immensity is inspiring, making one think of heroic exploration of unknown lands, the stuff that kids should be dreaming about". 

"Vaigach" in the mist: 



The blizzard is getting worse: 




Unexpected Rescue:

This truck got in trouble on treacherous ice, so a professional team quickly comes up with a plan: 



The journey resumes: 



Breaking the way for a caravan of ships: 



"30 Days of Night"... 

Arriving into Dixon: a small town of about a thousand people - 



Its population lives in the Arctic wasteland, enduring the most extreme climate. A significant part of Dixon has become a ghost town during Soviet years - and a series of ghastly buildings line up to haunt the endless night: 




It's easy to start imagining vampires... but these buildings are long abandoned. Though one has to wonder about this cannon-looking thing left nearby: 



Back to the Arctic trail 

Serene and wonderfully wide-format views along the way - the Svalbard archipelago: 




Franz Josef Land has some fascinating rock formations: 



And mammoth fossils are simply everywhere, just lying around (left). On the right is an object that looks like a rusted bomb: 



A day in the life of Murmansk Sea Shipping Company 

A custom paint job looks aggressive on an icebreaker (appropriately enough): 



Launching the deep sea research vessel (Bathysphere) "MIR-1": 



Encountering some heavy seas: 



"Yamal" towing the oil rig:




Land-based oil rigs are usually towed by a chain of tractors:

 

Staying in port for maintenance: 



Here are Some of the Giants of the Arctic Fleet:

"Lenin" was the first Russian nuclear icebreaker, built in 1957. It looked imposing, but suffered two nuclear accidents while in operation till 1989, and now is being converted into a museum ship. Another milestone: "Arktika" became the first surface ship ever to reach the North Pole in 1977.

"50 Years of Victory" - is the largest, most powerful icebreaker ever constructed.










This lid covers a nuclear reactor:



Nuclear reactor room:



117 meters in length, the "50 Years of Victory" has TWO nuclear reactors, develops around 500,000 horse power, and its huge steel ice belt 5 meters wide can easily break through ice up to 2.5 meters (9.2 feet) thick. (The "victory" in its name is the Russian people's victory over the Nazis in 1945)

And by the way, in case you're thinking that no ice can ever stop such behemoths, let me remind you that the nuclear icebreaker "Soviet Union" was trapped in ice for three days in 1998 (which is nothing compared to Mother Russia trapped in communism for 70 years)

Here is that "Soviet Union" ship -





Bears just wanna have... milk 

Polar bears lead pretty eventful life: from "romantic" courtships to intense family squabbles: 



However, if they spot a passing ship, they will drop everything and try to get closer, knowing exactly what they want. 



>They will surely start begging for their most favorite treat - condensed sweetened milk in cans: (not healthy of course, but simply irresistible)




They try to stretch their meal: one can will keep a bear occupied for up to 3 hours. After they lick the can clean, they start to chew on it, like some sort of chewing gum - to get that last whiff of flavor.




Finally, to sleep with a full tummy: 



Polar bear tracks: