Curious and looking for honest answers, not the political correctness stuff.
Question for both genders, but mostly curious about men's feelings.

Let's say you're out and about, whether a shop, a pub, and so on, and you spot another person of your own gender that is incredibly attractive.
You can see that for yourself but you also see the other gender cast looks and turn their heads.

How does it make you feel to see / come close to another man or woman (your own gender!) who is seriously attractive.

I know women can feel very insecure or get competitive when this happens.
What happens for you guys?
Does it make you less confident, competitive, out-alpha-ed or something?
How does it affect you?
Would you befriend such a man? Or rather avoid that as it could mean you never get seen and never get interest from the ladies anymore?

Also... if you happen to be a popular man do you notice other men avoid you? Or does you being popular and a great guy make you more easily get male friends?

Again, I'm looking for honest answers as I'm genuinely interested how this works for/in men.

well I'm sorry I can't answer for every man but I never had this happen if I had I for sure wouldn't say a word until I am sure this is whats going on in my life... highly doubt this would happen to me

It never makes any difference, who is looking how.
Basically unattractive people thinks they are more attractive than others an attractive person puts himself in rating himself/herself.

I look myself in mirror daily an says " I'm the best" but once i hit outside, i be a normal.. with abnormal thinking an thoughts

But if I'm with my gf.. an if she feels an expresses that person is handsome then for a moment a complex would be on my face.
but other than that it never makes any difference to me.
Because i know myself well an she knows me well an we never find any insecurity as we have the best bond x factor an better understanding with trust.

Now coming to other than the topic,
if a girl is more attractive than i would surely see with glance hidden from my gf unknownly that my eyes on some other beauty

After all men will be men

In short, it doesn't make me any difference. tc.

I notice a good looking man when I see one. I used to be one. But time takes its toll on everyone, now my hair is gone and my teeth are going so, you know, it happens to everyone.
I don't feel threatened or inadequate. I've got some friends that are younger and better looking. I just remember to act my age and don't bother to compete with them, or anyone else for that matter.
A man's got to know his limitations.

Well Said

In the grand scheme of reality does it really matter?

Oh, with most issues we know that in the grand scheme of everything it doesn't matter.
But knowing that doesn't make an issue go away. If that was the case all psychologists, coaches, and therapists would be out of work and the whole of mankind would be healed instantly. You could probably do away with doctors and medicine too. Cos in the grand scheme of everything it is meaningless.

Unfortunately it doesn't work that way...

Thank you for your honest feedback!

I think I know what you're trying to say :)
Thank you for your feedback.

Not sure what to make of this? You mean no one is more attractive than you?

I used to hang with a real handsome guy ... ladies were always complimenting him ..but if I was with him the ladies would kinda avoid him .... a few asked if we were a couple ... we used to laugh !! But if we saw them as a potential girlfriend we would laugh and deny it .... if on the other hand , we did not see potential , we actually would pass of as a gay couple .... and they would leave us alone ....
Yeah , I think for us guys , stuff like that wouldn't bother us ...
Men are known to be quite simple ha ha ... except for the fun and games they get themselves into ....

What you seem to be hinting at is insecurity and narcissism.
At times in my youth, I was plagued by both.
Now I am secure in my own essence and have no need or will to entertain such thoughts.
In the grand scheme of things (in my life right now) I care not for such matters.

We all have strengths and flaws according to our own nature. To elevate or detract from someone else's value does them (and me) injustice.

However, If I ever meet someone who doesn't poop or has true, pure attraction, I might change my stance.

Being secure in oneself means you need no validation from anyone else.
May you find someone who can accept you as you are. Try to do the same with them.

It might sound a wee bit blunt, but why is life always about competition?

If people like me, so shall it be. If they don't like me, so shall it be.

I know, I am not perfect, but nobody is. And then, the outer shell can always hide some inner flaws. Though the only thing, I really find gross, if a person neglects his/her personal hygiene.

Interesting that you take the competitive route?
If you really have no problem with another man looking better or being more attractive -which isn't always about looks- then why even come up with competition?

I can see another gorgeous woman and smile in appreciation of her beauty.

I wasn't looking for political correctness answers but honest feelings. Like I said, curious how men work but I it seems it's difficult to get clarity on this.

Maybe opening up makes men feel too vulnerable.

I don't know, maybe it's only me? Like my personal opinion. But looking at other guys, can start the process of comparing. I would check, what do we have in common? Where are the differences. Which is quite neutral, no competition yet. More like curiosoty.

But I experienced guys, who would start some competition, like they try to be "better" than other guys, to attract a girl.

I sign though your last sentence. The moment, when I open up, makes me weak and vulnerable. But if support is in place, this feeling goes away very fast. Because I know, I am not alone

MOST MEN BRING TO THE TABLE A LOT OF UNRESOLVED

FEELINGS AND ILLUSIONS

THAT THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO WORK THRU. SOME MEN

CAN NOT EVEN PUT A NAME TO THE EMOTIONS THEY ARE

FEELING...I BELIEVE MOST DO FEEL VULNERABLE, WE

ARE TAUGHT TO CONTROL OUR EMOTIONS...MOST WOMEN I

ALSO BELIEVE ALSO FEEL MORE SECURE WITH MAN WHO

CAN

CONTROL HIS EMOTIONS.....WE DEAL WITH OUR EMOTIONS

DIFFERENTLY THEN THE AVERAGE WOMAN....WORKING THRU

FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS CAN BE VERY HARD WORK FOR

SOME PEOPLE AND EVEN GETTING THEM TO THAT POINT

CAN BE A STRUGGLE......

Many women look beyond physical attractiveness in guys in my opinion. Most guys with average looks usually have plenty of personality and character which is more attractive to women, so another guys physical attractiveness doesn't bother them, why should it.

At a certain age it really is about something else. Crystal, you are always brutally honest even if not popular or PC (which I appreciate so much). I owe you the same. Had to think deep to be honest with myself so I can give an honest answer.

First the trite. I believe whole heartedly in the "eye of the beholder" thing. That's a copout though. Most are aware at least vaguely of certain symmetries and general features that are considered attractive in their own and similar cultures.

When inducting The Rolling Stones into R&R Hall of Fame Pete Townsend said, "Don't grow old gracefully guys.
It wouldn't suit you." LOL! I can identify with this.

"Age is just a number." I call BS!! Say that about your Bank Account and get back to me.

I do concur that wouldn't want to to be any other age because of lessons leaned and whatever if any wisdom gained. I'd just like to be my age with the endurance, stamina, eyesight, muscle tone, hairline, waistline, coordination, reflexes, etc. etc. of my 25yo self!! So here writing. YES I am envious of youth for many reasons including a bigger more attractive pool to swim in. I'll get to my own demographic (what I felt surprised me a little) in another post. I don't have the energy or literary skills to compete with Tolstoy here.

Thank you, Beach! A wonderful open and honest reply, appreciate that!
Brutally honest, I guess people feel that way about me, dunno, hihi. Same with not popular, I know I'm often not making myself popular. But I'm not after that, I'm just being me: open, honest, and a curious mind. I like to learn. Learning is growing & evolving, and THAT is what I am all about :) Popular often comes with pretending and that's not me.
To me it was a surprise to show a genuine interest in men, willingness to learn, and to get mostly vague/PC/knee-jerk like reactions.
Men complaining, "Women don't understand me!" then you show an interest and it's like, "Nope, lemme quickly slam that door shut!"

In any case, I love your reply :) Thank you for you openness!!

I wasn't really talking about popularity Crystal. I was talking about JUEVOS!!! Just appreciating those who speak their truth even if not popular...or even if popular but mundane. Arbitrarily combative is a bore too.
If someone were to say I don't like Sam Cooke songs, puppies, sunsets, massages, true love, or trade winds....I would be laughing at their sardonic wit. I HOPE. If I knew them not to have that capacity I guess I would be shaking my head in sadness.

Still trying to condense thoughts about OP in my own demographic. Still thinking Russian Novels not "popular" at this point and time.