What creates chemistry in a relationship?
It's one of those elusive qualities that rests on a delicate balance of factors - any one of which could sway us either way.
Self-assurance is attractive, but not arrogance. Showing our vulnerability makes us open and human, but dependency is a turn-off.
We're drawn to intelligent people, but not when they come off as self-important.
We humans are complex creatures and it's hard to define what exactly creates a spark between us.
In an attempt to cut through the confusion, Hal Runkel, one of America's leading authorities on relationships, shares his three caveats for attraction with Business Insider.
Here are the traits he believes makes us most magnetic to other people, when it comes to forming relationships:
Vulnerability without neediness
"We like people strong enough to reveal themselves, without needing us to validate them."
Humility without embarrassment
"We like people who can laugh at themselves and yet still be comfortable in their own skin."
Confidence without cockiness
"We like secure people who can pursue what they want without needing to prove anything."
So, there you have it. Three starting points in the eternal quest for lifelong love...
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