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Does money make you more attractive in the West Midlands?

What makes a potential partner more attractive? Is it looks, a sense of humour, intelligence - the amount of money they have? thinkmoney has done some research to find out, asking people in the West Midlands as well as all over the UK.

The results make for interesting reading.

For example, of those attracted to women in the West Midlands, hardly any think that them having money (4%) or a good job (5%) is particularly important. What they value more in a potential female partner is a sense of humour (57%), good looks (48%) and the ability to have a good conversation (36%).

People in the West Midlands attracted to men think that their potential partner having a good job (9%) is a bit more important than those attracted to women do. Interestingly, however, both think their partner having money is equally unimportant (just 4%). The three most highly ranked attributes in men are a sense of humour (74%), good conversation skills (45%) and intelligence (39%).

Things get a bit more interesting when we look at what men and women think other men and women find attractive.

For example, men in the West Midlands believed that other men put the most value on looks in their partner (53%) - before having a sense of humour (26%), having the same interests (19%), how much money they have (12%) or their job (8%).

66% of women in the West Midlands agree that men find looks most important in their partner. They, however, don't believe that men place as much emphasis on their partner's job (3%) or money (2%).

Women in the West Midlands think that other women find looks most important in a partner (55%). Clearly, women believe that other women value money quite highly, as 39% said salary was important to other women, and 28% said a partner's job could be important. A sense of humour came in third, at 37%.

Men in the West Midlands think that women value money highly too, as a good salary/lots of money came third in their list (28%) and a good job came fourth (25%). West Midlands men think that women value good looks most highly (38%), followed by a sense of humour (31%).

An expert from thinkmoney said: "This research shows that, although many people (both men and women) don't find a good job or high salary to be a high priority in their own partners, they do believe that other people - especially women - think this is important.

"It's likely that men and women don't place value on how much money their potential partner earns - as much as how they use it. Budgeting properly could help you spend less time worrying about your finances (and what other people think about them), and more time on getting to know your potential partner, sharing interests and having a good time. And that's what people really do seem to find attractive."

Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 2,016 UK adults aged 18+ from 1st to 4th of February 2013. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria.