Aural Attractiveness

[Sliderule]

Yes yes it's been done to death, but here's another attractiveness thread.

Have you ever been attracted to someone simply because of the sound of their voice? It doesn't matter if you first heard the voice spoken or while being sung or even if others considered the person's voice to be pleasant. Or does voice have no/minimal effect on you? If not then why so, and if yes to what extent?

I find it odd that I place value on other peoples voices at all considering how, um simply standard/unremarkable and boring mine is.

[kazzamunga]

I think that defo seems to be more of a male thing! I've heard men say that women have sexy voices, I've even been told it once or twice myself (though I'm not sure why, I'm from London and therefore in my opinion have no accent, and my voice isn't exactly smooth and sultry), but I've never really heard a woman say it. I find olfactory, the effect of the pheromones on the aftershave smell etc, more attractive.

Which kind of voice are you attracted to?

[Mina]

I love a man with a deep sexy voice, especially if he's articulate. However, I am not going to be attracted to them if they don't have a nice face/body to match.

I've been told that my voice is sexy (I'm female), though I'm not sure why. I think I sound a bit awkward and high-pitched.

[Rudy]

English accents... mmmmm... I've fallen in love listening to BBC radio...

Well, no, not really, but I've definitely been attracted to people just by hearing their accents.

[daydreamer]

a good voice puts me at ease. voices tell me a lot about people, they are very expressive and difficult to modulate purposefully, completely - usually you can hear that too. i'm easily drawn in.

[Harmony]

I can listen to an Australian accent all day long. =) Or something as simple as a Southern accent. =)

[TheLastMohican]

Perhaps oddly, I think of certain male voices as "attractive," while paying little attention to female voices, though I am definitely heterosexual. I don't know if females would agree with my opinions.
A couple of voices that I find pleasant to listen to are Christopher Hitchens' (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) and Hugo Weaving's (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.).

[Rudy]

Christopher Hitchens'
Yes! I could listen to him, even if it was something completely inane! Fortunately, it never is.

Have you seen his debate with Alistair McGrath?

[kazzamunga]

English accents... mmmmm... I've fallen in love listening to BBC radio...

Well, no, not really, but I've definitely been attracted to people just by hearing their accents.

are you being sarcastic or do you actually like the english accent? because I can't see what's to like about it!

[Rudy]

are you being sarcastic or do you actually like the english accent? because I can't see what's to like about it!

No! Heathen! I adore english accents. I think, because of movie/televison exposure as a child, I may have developed a subconscious belief that English accent = cultured & intelligent. Logically, this isn't always true, but it still makes me melt...

[Shinqui]

Perhaps the opposite would be true for me. A voice that I do not like will break a relationship potential for me, and there are many that I do not care for.

[TheLastMohican]

Have you seen his debate with Alistair McGrath?

I haven't before, but I'm listening to it now — thanks!
(By the way, for some reason I find McGrath's voice slightly annoying. It sounds like his British accent is strangely exaggerated or overworked.)

[Rudy]

I haven't before, but I'm listening to it now — thanks!
(By the way, for some reason I find McGrath's voice slightly annoying. It sounds like his British accent is strangely exaggerated or overworked.)

Everything about the way Alistar McGrath talks is irritating. He's like the Pee Wee Herman of English accents. And the way he can't stop waving his hands around... I watched the whole thing the first time through, but I occasionally watch it again, and just skip Alistair's parts.

[TheLastMohican]

I think, because of movie/televison exposure as a child, I may have developed a subconscious belief that English accent = cultured & intelligent.
That's pretty common. I wonder if British people have the same opinion of the American accent.

[Shinqui]

That's pretty common. I wonder if British people have the same opinion of the American accent.

I doubt the Brit's feel that the colonies are the source of culture and sophistication.....

[kazzamunga]

No! Heathen! I adore english accents. I think, because of movie/televison exposure as a child, I may have developed a subconscious belief that English accent = cultured & intelligent. Logically, this isn't always true, but it still makes me melt...

lol well I'm pleased that you do, and i am also pleased that the accent invokes such an (unfounded) presumption! Makes you melt? Awesome lol. The French accent does that for me.

Would you be able to tell the difference between a southern and northern english accent?

[rara avis]

I'm not a Musical fangirl, but Ewan McGregor's voice in Moulin Rouge did something to me.

[Rudy]

Would you be able to tell the difference between a southern and northern english accent?

I can differentiate a Cockney accent to some extent, but that's it.

[kazzamunga]

That's pretty common. I wonder if British people have the same opinion of the American accent.

haha I don't know...I dont think i necessarily think of the american accent as intelligent per se, but I do like it, its so much more interesting than ours. and i guess more glamorous as well.





kazzamunga added to this post, 2 minutes and 32 seconds later...

I can differentiate a Cockney accent to some extent, but that's it.

and i take it you don't think of them as intelligent lol? careful what you say, my father is a cockney black cab driver :o)





kazzamunga added to this post, 1 minutes and 13 seconds later...

I'm not a Musical fangirl, but Ewan McGregor's voice in Moulin Rouge did something to me.

that's because it was amazing! and a big surprise, i had no idea he could sing! and a nice scottish accent never goes unappreciated.

[TheLastMohican]

haha I don't know...I dont think i necessarily think of the american accent as intelligent per se, but I do like it, its so much more interesting than ours. and i guess more glamorous as well.


See, it's all very subjective. We tend to like accents unlike our own, because we naturally think of our own accents as "normal."

[Rudy]

and i take it you don't think of them as intelligent lol? careful what you say, my father is a cockney black cab driver :o)

Probably not as much, no. I still find them quite appealing, though.

[secretagentm]

I tease my friends when they get colds. Low raspy voices are sexy.

[kazzamunga]

See, it's all very subjective. We tend to like accents unlike our own, because we naturally think of our own accents as "normal."

yep, and normal = tedious. i love northern irish accents too. actually im going to go back on my original comment, because although the tone of someone's voice doesn't really do it for me, accents can defo have an effect.





kazzamunga added to this post, 5 minutes and 27 seconds later...

Probably not as much, no. I still find them quite appealing, though.

Hmm, maybe I'll just move to america lol

[Rudy]

Hmm, maybe I'll just move to america lol

I think anyone that emigrated from the UK would have no trouble at all getting a boy/girlfriend here. You would have your pick of a large field.

[Harmony]

Perhaps oddly, I think of certain male voices as "attractive," while paying little attention to female voices, though I am definitely heterosexual. I don't know if females would agree with my opinions.
A couple of voices that I find pleasant to listen to are Christopher Hitchens' (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) and Hugo Weaving's (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.).

I'm not sure if it's Christopher Hitchens' topic that rubs me the wrong way and has irritated me, or the comments from idiots on youtube, but I don't care for his voice regardless. =P

[Sliderule]

Which kind of voice are you attracted to?

Oh please don't make me try to describe sound, there's tone, rhythm, cadence, inflection etc etc.... I can't describe it, but I know it when I hear it.
Accents don't hurt either, I tend to think that American accents leave much to be desired and that the English make this language sound so much better (most of the time). Of course my interest in any sort of accent may simply be due to the complete lack of any sort of variety here in the Midwest.

A few sung examples I can think of (and find links to) are these:

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The two aren't really anything alike, and the first could even be considered annoying by some. The second is obviously meant to sound sexy and sultry and it pulls that off very well. The only unifying thing between the two is that they're sung by females. So maybe it's simply that what I find attractive in speech and song are simply musical sounding voices.

Michele Norris and Laura Kennedy from NPR have nice voices as well (duh)

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Sliderule added to this post, 0 minutes and 56 seconds later...

We try to pretend that Texas is its own country, like it used to be 170 years ago. Stick to the coasts for best results.


haha!

[greenblob]

Everyone talks about Obama's voice.

[BlackMita]

I don't really like any sort of voice over another... maybe if I paid more attention I could develop a preference.

[Rudy]

Everyone talks about Obama's voice.

He has a pretty good manner, and charisma, but I don't think his voice itself is anything out of the ordinary.

[Mina]

Southern US accents are a huge turn-off for me (and I live in the south).
Indo-European accents can be nice.

[auriga vega]

Hmm.. I've never paid much attention to people's voice. So I guess it has no effect on me.

[greenblob]

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Now that's talent.
Extra credit: if you don't know who this person is, don't look at the video and just listen to the voice for about a minute, then take a peek.

[Anreader]

I think its nice in a musical way but not sexy. Alan Rickman sounds sexy. Also I like Barry White. And female voices, I like Etta James.

[BostonIan]

I read faces well, and, from my experience, there are two things that can "flick a switch" in a woman's face to show she's attracted to you: one is eye contact, two is speaking to her for the first time. Whether it's the sound of the voice or the speaking itself, I dunno, but it is immediate.

It's obvious when you think about singers, Barry White for example, would he be sexy with a different voice? But also, non-singers, a guy like Alan Rickman. If you're not aware of the phenomenon, women do love them some Alan Rickman, but would they think he's sexy if he had a different voice? To quote Youtube fangirls:

kathzyna (2 days ago):"My my his voice is so sexy and appealing and dominating"
AlanRickmanLove (3 days ago): "The one thing that bothers me about all the girls who are presently "obsessed" with Alan Rickman is that you've probably got no idea or insight on who he really is. As a person. Not what you see on the computer and in movies, but in the flesh. And you sit and talk about how much you love him, but you don't know him. When you get to really know this man, let me know. Then you can decipher whether or not you love him. I personally find him amazing. As a human being and I adore him for who he is. <3"
horatiosgirl (5 days ago): "I LOVE HIM TOO! High five to all Rickman fan girls...we are the best...but hes mine!lol"
ThexMadderxHatter (1 week ago): "I LOVE HIM SOOOO MUCH!!!!! Does anyone know when he's coming to New York?! He's my future husband"
lalalindsay454 (1 week ago): "hotness"
Shsteffi88 (1 week ago): "so about how he is my future husband<3"
Barbiculatum (1 week ago): "I adore him!" (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)

As for me, no, never really been attracted to a woman's voice, at least not in a switch-flipping kind of way.

[wotsamattaU]

I absolutely can be attracted by someone's voice. Many's a time I will hear someone speaking to another and turn just to see the person who is attached to it.

[PeterIMC]

I think that defo seems to be more of a male thing! I've heard men say that women have sexy voices, I've even been told it once or twice myself (though I'm not sure why, I'm from London and therefore in my opinion have no accent, and my voice isn't exactly smooth and sultry), but I've never really heard a woman say it. I find olfactory, the effect of the pheromones on the aftershave smell etc, more attractive.

Which kind of voice are you attracted to?

Voices are important. It says a lot about social status I think. Of course this is not always true, but there are stereotypes. A leader leads much easier if he's got a strong low voice.

Animals like dogs are much more sensitive to this. Our dog completely submits if I lower my voice to give him a command. My normal voice is not low, not high either, just average I think. And when I tel him to sit with my normal voice, his obedience depends on his mood. Lowering my voice changes that completely. Humans are just as sensitive to this. (but won't always accept it of course.. :) )


So I guess if a voice matches a certain stereotype that you like, you'll automatically find it more attractive.

[Anreader]

Well, no I wouldn't like Alan Rickman if he didn't sound like that, but voices are what we are talking about. And I don't even care what Barry White is saying. The vibration of his voice... strokes down my spine. And I have taken advantage of the dominance cues of my voice and this does work on people. (There was a recent documentary on the History Channel about body language and vocal cues that included a long bit about women who developed a slightly deeper voice to advance political careers, Margaret Thatcher and Hillary Clinton included.)

[LionsPride]

Yes, I have a fondness for certain voices, particularly when I can't see the person speaking. When I see them, the visual overwhelms the auditory, but there are certain songs I like because of the voice.

While a good voice will only get someone so far for me, a bad voice is a turn off that will make me look elsewhere. Higher pitched voices or ones with a dialect that makes them unintelligible I can't stand. I'm not fond of accents.

*Educational moment: An accent is the character of speech when a person is speaking a language which is NOT their first language. A British "accent" is not an accent, it is actually a dialect of English.

[rara avis]

Hmm. Let's see, who else?

Patrick Warburton. Kind of a meathead voice, but still. He's a good one.

David Bowie, his speaking voice...

[Sliderule]

Hmm. Let's see, who else?

Patrick Warburton. Kind of a meathead voice, but still. He's a good one.

David Bowie, his speaking voice...

Admit it, it was when watching Labyrinth that David Bowie first swept you off your feet.

The post picture thread reminded me of Elizabeth Hurley she also gets a nod, I absolutely love her dialect. The rest of her is okay I guess.

[rara avis]

Yeah, yeah, you got me... Labyrinth. That was one fine Goblin King. Stupid Jennifer Connelly - I'd sell out my little brother.

[Rikka]

Pretty men with deep voices is strangely attractive to me. I have no idea why.

Manly voices:lovestruck:

[kazzamunga]

*Educational moment: An accent is the character of speech when a person is speaking a language which is NOT their first language. A British "accent" is not an accent, it is actually a dialect of English.

I don't think I agree with this. Dialects are prevalent in countries like Spain and Italy, and the differences are so severe that someone from Venice would not even wholly understand the speech of someone from the south.

And how can you say that the British/English 'accent' is a dialect of English? This is tantamount to saying it is a variant of English, when it *is* English!

A dialect is distinguished by its vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation (phonology, including prosody). Where a distinction can be made only in terms of pronunciation, the term accent is appropriate, not dialect (although in common usage, "dialect" and "accent" are usually synonymous).

[dalidaisy]

Yes, I have a fondness for certain voices, particularly when I can't see the person speaking. When I see them, the visual overwhelms the auditory, but there are certain songs I like because of the voice.
[/I]

This

And, I am fond of foreign dialects & accents, paticularly of the European variety. I don't care for high pitched voices or many American accents, except there's just something about people from Minnesota that gets me.

For men, I like a manly voice, not soft, but not too gruff either. He needs to have a deeper voice than me. It also depends on the way he's saying things. I am attracted to someone who usues good grammar & speaks intelligently.

For women, I like deep, sultry voices. I like it when they talk slow & deliberate, clearly choosing their words rather than just blurting them out, as most women do.

[LionsPride]

I don't think I agree with this. Dialects are prevalent in countries like Spain and Italy, and the differences are so severe that someone from Venice would not even wholly understand the speech of someone from the south.

And how can you say that the British/English 'accent' is a dialect of English? This is tantamount to saying it is a variant of English, when it *is* English!

A dialect is distinguished by its vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation (phonology, including prosody). Where a distinction can be made only in terms of pronunciation, the term accent is appropriate, not dialect (although in common usage, "dialect" and "accent" are usually synonymous).

Common usage and correctness aren't always the same. An accent is more like the accent a Chinese speaking person might have speaking English. They would be speaking English with a Chinese accent (R's replacing L's and such). As you have already quoted, differences in pronunciation are dialect and the difference between American English and British English is pretty much pronunciation and the odd word spelling, but essentially it's all the same language. The difference in English pronunciations across the English speaking nations are all dialect and often related to where you come from, such as Southern US, Northern US... Even different areas of the UK have different dialects, some are harsher than others.

I received my lesson from a speech pathologist. It was a pet peeve of hers that I have adopted to not make the same mistake. Feel free to go on using the words interchangeably if you desire, but in terms of my own attraction to voices, I'm not fond of accents, but I do love some English dialects. Not that I would be turned off by an accent, but I wouldn't buy their book on tape.

[kazzamunga]

Common usage and correctness aren't always the same. An accent is more like the accent a Chinese speaking person might have speaking English. They would be speaking English with a Chinese accent (R's replacing L's and such). As you have already quoted, differences in pronunciation are dialect and the difference between American English and British English is pretty much pronunciation and the odd word spelling, but essentially it's all the same language. The difference in English pronunciations across the English speaking nations are all dialect and often related to where you come from, such as Southern US, Northern US... Even different areas of the UK have different dialects, some are harsher than others.

I received my lesson from a speech pathologist. It was a pet peeve of hers that I have adopted to not make the same mistake. Feel free to go on using the words interchangeably if you desire, but in terms of my own attraction to voices, I'm not fond of accents, but I do love some English dialects. Not that I would be turned off by an accent, but I wouldn't buy their book on tape.

I don't use the words interchangeably though, I see them as two completely distinct things, and I have never heard dialect described as such; you didn't read my definition :p! It says that an accent only relates to pronunciation, but dialectic is related to vocabulary and grammar, which, as you say, does not differ between American and British!

[LionsPride]

I don't use the words interchangeably though, I see them as two completely distinct things, and I have never heard dialect described as such; you didn't read my definition :p! It says that an accent only relates to pronunciation, but dialectic is related to vocabulary and grammar, which, as you say, does not differ between American and British!

Actually grammar and vocabulary do differ between US and British English,
Trunk/Bonnet,
Solicitor/attorney
The list goes on.

Accent only relates to pronunciation in that people who previously spoke a a different language often carry that pronunciation into their speaking of a second language. Italian accents, French accents etc. You can't have an accent in your native language. Differences between one manner of speaking and another would be dialect, which is based on geographical isolation.

Also, if you are going to quote Wikipedia, you should at least read the whole page.

There may be multiple standard dialects associated with a single language. For example, Standard American English (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), Standard British English (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), Standard Indian English (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), Standard Australian English (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), and Standard Philippine English (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) may all be said to be standard dialects of the English language (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.).

Moving back to the point of a thread, it reminds me of a story I heard about the local blind institution looking for people to volunteer to make books on tape. Apparently there are some voices that are far more popular than others. Interesting enough, the people who listened to the tapes often imagined what the person speaking was like. In many cases they were pretty close to the truth in their guesses.

[Zhen]

It's probably the only non-negotiable for me which I think is so shallow...but it can't be helped *lol

[Anreader]

The right voice makes everything so much easier. Barry White, anyone?

[kazzamunga]

Actually grammar and vocabulary do differ between US and British English,
Trunk/Bonnet,
Solicitor/attorney
The list goes on.

Accent only relates to pronunciation in that people who previously spoke a a different language often carry that pronunciation into their speaking of a second language. Italian accents, French accents etc. You can't have an accent in your native language. Differences between one manner of speaking and another would be dialect, which is based on geographical isolation.

Also, if you are going to quote Wikipedia, you should at least read the whole page.



Moving back to the point of a thread, it reminds me of a story I heard about the local blind institution looking for people to volunteer to make books on tape. Apparently there are some voices that are far more popular than others. Interesting enough, the people who listened to the tapes often imagined what the person speaking was like. In many cases they were pretty close to the truth in their guesses.

ha ok ok, you win. though that clearly means that wikipedia is contradictory. my apologies for not investigating past the initial affirmative statement!

[rewhu]

Have you ever been attracted to someone simply because of the sound of their voice?

Yes, in fact I met my SO over the phone.

[PeterIMC]

What's particularly interesting about this thread is that it attracts a lot of women. The male voice seems to be of high interest to women. I guess it's one of those very strong indicators of how male a man is.

[Sliderule]

What's particularly interesting about this thread is that it attracts a lot of women. The male voice seems to be of high interest to women. I guess it's one of those very strong indicators of how male a man is.

Why don't you just go and rub it in Peter.

On that same note what does a man liking a woman's voice which isn't particularly womanly say?

[yepunsarang]

Well, voice is sometimes a factor for me. Some people I love for their voices but in a platonic way. Other people who I am romantically attached to, I might be attracted to as well. But it's a mixture---for who they are, AND voice is just a bonus. May be it attracts me specifically because I am very musical.

But the thing is, the "masculine voice" isn't necessarily what attracts me. It's an aura of warmth and kindness that does it.

[Deadgod]

I love TheLastmohican's voice (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.). ;)

I'm not attracted to voices but I do get turned off if they are too high-pitched or too low.

[Anreader]

The male voice seems to be of high interest to women. I guess it's one of those very strong indicators of how male a man is.

Did you ever watch Family Matters? The main character Steve Erkel builds a machine in one episode that makes him "cool." His clothes change, his posture, his demeanor, and his voice. Why did they bother with the voice? Sex appeal. Oh yeah women are interested in male voices. In some cases the right voice triggers arousal. In some cases the voice triggers disgust. If you speak like the original Steve Erkel, you are gonna need some serious help.

[FreeFall]

Not sure if this counts, but I love this gal that sings where I attend Sunday services.

I get very dreamy when I am there, but then I've always been like that when a gal attracts me. That, however, can easily be dispelled with a quick reality slap.

Yup, the voice thing I would say definitely works for me as well as height and hair and lips and clothes, oppppppppppppppsssssssssssssssss

LOL

Anyway, yeah the voice thing works for me

[Sesquipedalian]

I have never been attracted to someone just because of their voice...

however...

There are girls that I would never date just because I find their voice so grating.

[Lycurgus]

I have been told I have an attractive voice, although I think I have a sort of horrible mangled Northern-Southern accent and a weird speech impediment (although no one else seems to notice).


I have also been attracted to a woman's voice, but never had an attraction based exclusively on her voice.

There are girls that I would never date just because I find their voice so grating.I agree.

[Fridays Child]

Voices are incredibly important to me, much more so than visual looks. The voice is the external amplification of the brain's thoughts; and the tone of it plus the words chosen reveals intelligence, character, emotions, maturity... or lack thereof. It's what connects us as people. The right timbre can send waves of pleasure while a shrill yammering can be cause for justifiable homicide.

Falling in love with a voice? Absolutely.

[PeterIMC]

Why don't you just go and rub it in Peter.

What's wrong? These things can't be said? Or did I understand your comment wrongly?

[Synamon]

What's particularly interesting about this thread is that it attracts a lot of women. The male voice seems to be of high interest to women. I guess it's one of those very strong indicators of how male a man is.
Huh? Did they say that? The vibration of someone's vocal cords isn't much of a measure of "how male a man is".

I looked at the posters in this thread and it's a pretty even split between men and women actually. About 40% of the members of this forum are women.

[SimplyOtter]

Voices are incredibly important to me, much more so than visual looks. The voice is the external amplification of the brain's thoughts; and the tone of it plus the words chosen reveals intelligence, character, emotions, maturity... or lack thereof. It's what connects us as people. The right timbre can send waves of pleasure while a shrill yammering can be cause for justifiable homicide.

Falling in love with a voice? Absolutely.

oh yes. I do share this. 100%.
A voice tells you not just what a person is like, but also who this person wants to be with you.

[alphawolf]

For me, a woman's voice is a deal maker or deal breaker. That is, if I don't like her voice, I don't care how good looking or friendly she is - I am just not going to pursue her.

Her voice has got to be clean, soft, and vibrant. If it's rusty, scratchy, hard, or boring, then I am simply not interested.

Yes, it's a very important feature for me.

[ljane]

For me a voice can be what makes or breaks my initial attraction to someone. Hearing a Boston accent (see [hear!] To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) makes me immediately think the speaker is a moron. I hate that I generalize in that way, but it's such a gut reaction that it happens before I can stop it. Interestingly, I know some people with Boston accents who are quite intelligent, and their accents bother me much less, if at all.

Of course it's about so much more than any one quality, but there are also accents that will turn my head in a second.

[Zombicide]

Lacey Chabert as (early) Meg Griffin or Penny Robinson of Lost In Space. As if it isn't already rare to encounter one possessing it, because of the threat their bitchery poses to casting, I truly hated that so many other people were actually somehow annoyed by Penny's voice, I thought she was the only redeeming quality of the film, her every next line something I listened forward to. Her voice was like wind chimes yet I had to endure people bitching (in their horse-like cacophony) about her as if a typical relatively androgynous, yet often only tolerable voice would have been her better. Unfortunately her euphony isn't the first or last to which people've detracted from such a voice I adore, it happens every time I hear the perfect female voice altogether, people are bound to complain about it, and I'd understand if their complaint was that they yearn to hear more and can't live without that sound but no, these cretinous complaints by abash; clam such ladies up so that I'll miss out on hearing their song. I love the sound of a highly i.e. distinctly feminine voice, the more feminine the better.

[BostonIan]

For me a voice can be what makes or breaks my initial attraction to someone. Hearing a Boston accent (see [hear!] To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) makes me immediately think the speaker is a moron. I hate that I generalize in that way, but it's such a gut reaction that it happens before I can stop it. Interestingly, I know some people with Boston accents who are quite intelligent, and their accents bother me much less, if at all.

Of course it's about so much more than any one quality, but there are also accents that will turn my head in a second.

Hah, I just met a woman who knew me from having thoughtful conversations online. The first thing she said when she met me was "WOW, you've got a thick Boston accent!", with a slightly horrified look on her face.

I've been on this campaign for a while. Listen, the language we all speak is English. If there's some difference of opinion on the proper way to speak English, the people of New England should get the benefit of the doubt. Appealing our decision not to pronounce R's, you could look towards England (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), Australia (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), or New Zealand (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), and be over-ruled definitively.

So, really, if people are comfortable with their standard American accent, that's fine, we Bostoners do not judge. But if anyone is locked into a sterile, phonetic accent because of the common consideration that it's proper English, you all can let your tongues run free. Say it with us: "Propah! I want to speak propahly!" You'll feel much bettah.

[Allie]

I think a particular accent is sexy, man or woman. But, that doesn't necessarily mean that I would be attracted because of it.

However, I was on a conference call once. All of the sudden, this voice came on. He had the perfect English accent that I could tell. His voice was also clear, deep and warm. It was very soothing and calming, yet vibrant at the same time. Sadly, I couldn't recall what he was saying ;D I was trapped (OK mesmerized) listening to his voice.

Logic and rationality were thrown out the window for a short period of time. But, I went and picked them up again after the call. :p

On a related topic: Voice is important when it comes to commercials and movie trailers. Notice how it's usually male and really deep. Morgan Freeman comes to mind.

[Santana28]

YES - its even a deal-breaker for me.

It either amps up the attraction 100%, or decreases it by the same.

My current beau... has the most attractive voice i have ever heard in my entire life. If i were to lay in bed and listen to him talking all night long, i could forego any number of other activities and be perfectly satisfied. I met him at work - from the moment i heard him speak, i knew i was in love. In fact... we have a rather difficult relationship (he's an ENTJ) and it would probably be best for me to move on, but the thought of never hearing his voice again.... ARGH.

as a side note - my mother has a weird thing about sounds too. certain seemingly harmless sounds drive her batty - she flips out. like the sound of chewing gum, for instance.

[Hasway]

I've been attracted to voice, posture/way they walked(odd, I know), and smell.

[DDL]

I agree, a man's voice is important to me. It's not necessarily a "deal breaker" if his voice isn't particularly to my liking, but it's still an important part of who he is to me. How a man communicates through his tone of voice, the words he chooses, the rate at which he speaks, etc., can say a lot about him.

[DanteFalling]

Perhaps oddly, I think of certain male voices as "attractive," while paying little attention to female voices, though I am definitely heterosexual. I don't know if females would agree with my opinions.
A couple of voices that I find pleasant to listen to are Christopher Hitchens' (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) and Hugo Weaving's (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.).


I adore Hugo Weaving's characters.

I tend to favor "intelligent-seeming" voices. So, many of the childlike dubs for women characters in anime are annoying. I like voices which don't seem to take themselves too seriously (towards melodrama) but which I can take seriously.

Come to think of it, I tend to listen to women who don't use those nasty questions at the end of everything they intended to be a statement. I like when a woman can modulate her voice with confidence. Wish I had those traits (but at least my inner dialogue voices do :P ).

[ClydeB]

A woman's voice is one of my top five important physical attributes. But with me its more aural unattractiveness or even physical pain. There are certain frequencies that fall in the upper ranges of the female voice I cannot stand to hear. Victoria Jackson of SNL fame is one great example of what is like an ice pick in the ear to me. Makes life interesting when that happens, especially when otherwise they are a great person to be around. Nothing like an involuntary flinch when hearing their voice to cement a relationship.

Regarding the British accent? Oh yes. Especially if she has a lower register voice and measured pace. I was on the phone with a saleswoman for 10 minutes one day. I believe they were located in Manchester. She could have read me a grocery list and I would have sat there reveling in the sound of her voice. I got a fairly long laugh out of her when she did the "are you interested in purchasing...". I replied, "I have no interest or intention of buying anything, but I will stay on the phone as long as you keep talking to me."

I have always thought that a voice like that woman's could small talk me for the rest of our lives together and I would be a happy man.

[ljane]

Hah, I just met a woman who knew me from having thoughtful conversations online. The first thing she said when she met me was "WOW, you've got a thick Boston accent!", with a slightly horrified look on her face.

Ha ha! Even though I wouldn't want to, I'd probably have the same reaction. That said, if you'd already hooked me intellectually, your accent wouldn't make that much of a difference (after I'd gotten over the initial shock).

If there's some difference of opinion on the proper way to speak English, the people of New England should get the benefit of the doubt. Appealing our decision not to pronounce R's, you could look towards England (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), Australia (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), or New Zealand (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.), and be over-ruled definitively.

I don't disagree with you. It would be interesting to know how people from those countries feel about each others' (is that apostrophe in the right place??) accents, or different dialects/accents within their own countries. I once met someone from the UK who could not stand the sound of South African English, said it grated on his ears, while I found it quite pleasing. To each his own, I guess.

Say it with us: "Propah! I want to speak propahly!" You'll feel much bettah.

Hmmm...embrace my inner Bostonian, and all will be well? Is that what you're saying? ;) Pahk the cah in Hahvid Yahd, Pahk the cah in Hahvid Yahd...I'm feeling better already!

[questionableme]

I don't fall for people because of their voice, but there are definitely a few people (both men and women) whose voices are so off-putting that I just can't listen to them. Of course, I'd already prefer that people talk to me less, so this doesn't help any.

I also kind of dislike my own voice, but only as others hear it. When I hear myself talking, I sound fine, but when I hear a recording of myself, I sound all weird and nasally. It's so different that I might not recognize my own voice on a recording without thinking about it.

[loosefanbelt]

Voice is VERY important to me. More the tone and quality than the tenor of it. I love expressive voices that are full of contrast and sinc with what is being communicated. My beloved was a sound designer and he was a voice coach for a lot of voice-overs in hollywood. I used to love it when he worked with talented people. Example of the contrast: He worked with Tim Conway for SpongeBob and Tobey Maguire for Spiderman around the same time. I would sit right down and listen to Tim, but Tobey would send me screaming out of the room.

Voice coaches can coax good things out of your natural voice. I also pay attention to my own voice a lot - it gives me a definite read on how I am doing - I even get laryngitis when I am stressed out...

[thiagofralves]

The voice is very, very important for me. If a girl is beautiful, but I find her voice annoying, it will be almost impossible for me stablish a decent conversation. I won't be able to focus on what the person is saying and will concentrate solely on her voice.