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blaire blaqua
Brisbane
Australia

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Are there any Handsome women out there?

This word "Handsome" is not used very often to describe a woman of today, I am curious as to how a woman would react or think if a man said to her that she was "Handsome".

And to the men out there who have said this to a woman what compels you to call a woman Handsome? And why?

Is Handsome the new Beautiful?

What are your thoughts? :)

Topics: beauty human psychology

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Jocelyne . 10+
- 0
Mar 17 2012: Interesting question. I feel the word beautiful is used so often to describe almost everything these days. It would be nice to be called handsome for a change. :)
Mireille Chéry
- +2
Mar 16 2012: I am the ChairMAN of the Board at F.I.S.H. Corporation Foundation, I don't know the word for it for a woman, but I know that I've got the balls for it!!

If a man will tell me that I'm "handsome", I'll take it as a compliment, because for me, there is nothing more beautiful, then a woman in great tailor suit, that's wear it with confident, courage, and feminity!

It's so hard for a man to do a compliment to a woman now a days, without being look at suspiciously, they have to find others ways to impress us, so maybe calling a woman "handsome" will appeal better !!
- blaire blaqua
  - +2
  Mar 16 2012: Yes! i like your style and your opinion regarding this question!
  
  :)
  - Mireille Chéry
    
    0
    Mar 16 2012: Thanks Blaire, great question on your part!!
- Colleen Steen 500+
  - +1
  Mar 17 2012: Dear Madam Chair,
  You are stunningly, exquisitely, handsome/beautiful:>)
  - Mireille Chéry
    
    +1
    Mar 17 2012: If I was a man, I will ask you to marry me Colleen!!
    
    So "Chair" it is for a woman, got it, and thanks!!
    
    Have a beautiful day handsome woman!!
Astra Singh 20+
- +2
TED Translator

Mar 13 2012: Dear Blaire,
There are definitely Handsome women out there. And ‘there’ is in Suriname. The Saramaccan people, a Maroon tribe living in the interior of the country, utilize a language that consists of quite some English words besides the mainly African dialects and Portuguese. Their language was formed during the slavery period in the 18th century and the word still used to describe a beautiful, strikingly good-looking woman is ‘hansum’ derived from ‘handsome’. They are themselves a very ‘hansum’ people.
Regards,
Astra
- Colleen Steen 500+
  - +2
  Mar 13 2012: Of course there are handsome women! Look at Astra!!!
  Women can be handsome AND beautiful...just like men...in my humble perception:>)
  
  Handsome:
  "marked by skill or cleverness; marked by graciousness or generosity; impressive or dignified appearance; syn: beautiful:>)
  - blaire blaqua
    
    +1
    Mar 16 2012: I agree with you colleen :)
    - Astra Singh 20+
      
      0
      
      TED Translator
      
      Mar 17 2012: Thank you dear wonderful handsome women. I humbly curtsy to you in acceptance of your bestowal (please imagine the curtsy :)
Rafi Amin 20+
- 0
Mar 13 2012: I think women always like to be called beautiful & men handsome. Lets dont confuse ourselves.
- Colleen Steen 500+
  - +1
  Mar 13 2012: Dear Rafi,
  I think you are beautiful because of the beauty of what you have shared here on TED, and I don't mind being called handsome:>)
Phillip McKay
- 0
Mar 13 2012: Yep handsome doesnt cut it any more. Women want to be beautiful , men handsome. I'd rather think that if you called a woman that you fancied handsome your chances would be dramatically reduced. And if you thought she was handsome you probably wouldnt fancy her.
Of course to think yourself handsome is perfectly OK.
David Barnett 20+
- 0
Mar 12 2012: My father always used to refer to Hattie Jacques as a handsome woman...a woman who is not necessarily nice to look at but who commands attention and is sexually appealing because of her character and/or body language. The woman in question was a British actress of the 1960s and 70s, very large, but who moved with grace and confidence. In real life, it is said, that if a man caught her eye, she would have him.
Obey No1kinobe 50+
- +1
Mar 12 2012: First thing II think of when some says handsome in regards to a women - attractive and perhaps stands out but not in a girly feminine way. Not sexy beautiful. Perhaps strong features in a positive way.

Some might take it as a little negatively.

Personally I like people look and act interesting. Looks and behaviour create a certain being, reinforcing each other to make person attractive.

I guess we evolved for looks to be very important
R H 20+
- +1
Mar 11 2012: Thank you for this very interesting question. The Oxford dictionary defines the word 'handsome', when applied to a woman, as: "striking and imposing in good looks rather than conventionally pretty." As a man, I find this definition to be rather accurate. I don't think 'beautiful' and 'handsome' describe the same thing, similar to silver and grey, or happy and cheerful. I would call a woman handsome if she had an earthy quality; a very attractive but an uncommon beauty. She would have a lot of presence, not just 'on display' - not just good to look at. She would probably have reddish hair and be artistic, but not necessarily. Hope that helps.
- blaire blaqua
  - 0
  Mar 16 2012: Thanks your response was very insightful :)
Heather White 20+
- 0
Mar 11 2012: In olden days it was correct to reffer to women as handsome and men as beautiful.
Solidus Sharp
- 0
Mar 11 2012: i just asked a friend she's rolled her eyes and said shut up.

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