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The greatest part about Playboy is the playmates' turn-ons and turn-offs. The turn-offs are always stuff like 'mean guys,' or maybe 'smokers.' But the turn-ons are always vague. They don't come right out and say 'nine-inch penis,' 'Bentley,' and 'owns a hotel or two.' Instead, they say stuff like 'good sense of humor' or 'likes music and walks on the beach.' Meanwhile, some guy who works on a loading dock thinks, 'I like the beach, I'm funny, and I love that music! We were made for each other!' Then he renews his subscription.

Adam Carolla#6

CommunicationDatingPreferencesPsychology

About this quote

What does it mean?
People tend to give vague answers about what they want while others imagine they meet those criteria.
In plain terms
Vague preferences let anyone think they fit the bill.
What can you take from it?
Ambiguity in preferences invites false self-selection.

Where it applies

  • dating
  • marketing
  • self-description

Putting it to work

  • clarify what you actually want
  • avoid vague criteria

Questions to consider

  • Why do people avoid stating preferences directly?

Another view

Some vagueness is intentional to allow flexibility.

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