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    1. Beauty
    2. Hairstyles, Haircuts, and Hair Colors

    What Guys Really Think of Blondes

    Do gentlemen really prefer blondes? We asked a real guy to get his take.

    By Rich Santos
    Published 24 August 2010 In News

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    Blonde
    (Image credit: Ralph Mecke)
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    Have you ever taken a Rorschach test? The doctor shows you "inkblots" and you blurt out what comes to mind. The inkblots measure perception of abstract shapes, tapping into the corners of the mind.

    Hopefully, guys don't judge a woman by her hair color, but they have perceptions based on culture, media, and personal taste, similar to unconscious interpretation of inkblots.

    What's my "inkblot-style" reaction to blondes? See below:

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    Blondes

    Marilyn Monroe is the iconic blonde. After some research, I discovered Marilyn was not even a natural blonde. Her "blondness" helped create the public's perception of her: playful and flirtatious. Marilyn may be the main reason blondes are so celebrated in male circles. She did a lot for the blonde.

    "Blondes have more fun." Blonde hair reflects light, so blondes "brighten a room." And this brightness makes blondes seem friendly, happy, and approachable...and less intimidating than brunettes and redheads.

    "Blondes are dumb." Maybe because they "have more fun," they don't seem serious or motivated? Of course, there's no scientific correlation between intelligence and appearance/hair color (although I am as dumb as I look), but sometimes the stereotype persists. My blonde friends even promote it from time to time, quipping, "Sorry, I'm having a blonde moment" to excuse their mistakes.

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    The "Blonde Bombshell." In a guy's mind, blondes are curvy, suggesting a Pam Anderson-like voluptuousness.

    Blondes are the "All American Girl" most often. The phrase "blonde hair, blue eyes" is stitched in the fabric of American society, and blue is a patriotic color. Perhaps this is why blondes often represent the All American girl next door.

    The eyes may actually have it. Eye color sometimes mixes with hair color amazingly: blue eyes with dark hair, brown eyes with blonde, and green with, well, any hair color. It's funny how culture and media influence perception of hair color, but my personal opinion is: It doesn't matter what color your hair is; if you're hot, you're hot.

    And personality could trump everything. That Marilyn Monroe movie was called "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," but a more accurate title might be: "Gentlemen Prefer a Girl Who Lets Them Reign Over the TV Remote," or "Gentlemen Prefer a Girl Who Lets Them Hang Out with the Guys Whenever He Wants."

    Do women have stereotypes about guys' hair color, or are you just happy when he has hair? What are your thoughts on my stereotypes, and what stereotypes do you have for blonde, brunette, and redheaded women? Any guy hair color that would make you not want to date him?

    Find out what guys think about redheads and brunettes.

    Rich Santos
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