Looks - detriment or asset?

[bospgmr]

Hi,

I can''t resist this one.. I''m sure you would all agree that it''s everyone''s right to chose a mate, chose crew, chose a mate as crew or chose crew you hope becomes your mate ... No harm done as long as you are honest to yourself and others what your interests are.

Bill

[bporter]

I''d say looks is only as important in a cruising partner as they are to anyone else you''d get intimately involved with. If someone is going to be a life partner type I would expect some degree of physical attraction to each other is important.

Other than that who cares. On my racing crew, for permanent crew spots sailing ability is the first and only criteria.

Of course if you can''t sail and are just looking for a day in the sun on a boat...(you can''t see my grin here, I''m really joking)

[Hut128]

Great response sailor582002 to MaryBeth. But I do understand where she is coming from. I can see where it can be a detriment for some sailing opportunities because of a few shallow minded males. But...they are not all that way! I would hope that one would select me based on my "skills" or desire to learn other than looks!

[thefantasea]

A few old adages which may or may not apply.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Birds of a feather flock together.
There''s no accounting for taste.
One man''s meat is another man''s poison.
Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer choice.
A fool and his money are soon parted.

[PBzeer]

It''s funny how, when you are around someone you enjoy being with (of the opposite sex),that they become more attractive, the longer and better you get to know them. Looks will always be a factor, initially, for men and women, but looks don''t raise a sail, or tail a sheet. If ya want looks, buy a picture. If you want crew, or someone to enjoy the end of a good sail, meet a person, not an object.

Fair winds,
John

[jb2of3]

It has been my experience that those who want to sail and are physically and mentally capable of it "will find a way or make one"

Many of us can write books about social interactions and yet after years of practice still be inept at it.

I have seen equipment and people go overboard because of nothing more than third grade notepassing and horseplay "Do you like me yes or no please circle"

In fairness, I have seen more guys reduced to blubbering uselessness than girls.

If what makes you quiver is getting another knot of speed, because you trimmed the sail better than I did, then welcome aboard.

A crew, a team, never starts that way. Sometimes is doesn''t happen at all, yet sometimes a group can seem almost telepathic. Either way, the result is the same. I will see to it. For I am responsible for everything that takes place on my boat. I may make the wrong decision, but the crew puts the decision making power in my hands because they lacked the control to resolve the situation themselves.

There is a place in the indian ocean, a blue so deep and water so clear that you can drop a nickel over the side and watch it tumble and swirl until it looks as big as a manhole cover. This is the stuff I wanna focus on.

[RobGallagher]

I''m not a racer. My "crew" consists of mostly women and we daysail or overnight. Granted we like to go as fast as possible.

I work in a large casino and most of my crew are also co-workers. I also happen to work with people from all over the world so you can never be sure of who will show up on sailing day. I don''t care what you look like or your sailing ability. Some of my crew are more hands on than others, but they will all do the best they can when the time comes. Some have more nerve than others (one crew member is happier when water is well over the rail another is trying to control a fear of healing).

What I can''t stand is when you ask for help triming a sheet or getting the anchor up and you get attitude. Or when you get back to the mooring and your putting the boat away and someone is in a hurry to leave because they are bored now. The WORST are people who leave a mess. These type of people do NOT get invited back.

Laugh, crank a winch, bring along a sixpack or a bag of ice. Even better, show up when there is actual work to be done and you will alway be welcome.