What Men’s Beauty Standards Look Like in Different Countries

The mainstream definition of what an ideal man should look like varies from country to country. Just like women, a lot of men try to follow common beauty trends in order to be seen as more attractive. The cultural difference in what exactly people consider objectively beautiful might come as a surprise.

Bright Side did a fun bit of research about what people consider to be the ideal male beauty standard in many countries around the world. Looking at the most beloved male celebs will tell you about what is considered attractive.

1. United States and Canada

According to People’s magazine, the most attractive men in the US for the past 3 years are Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther), and singer John Legend.

The usual definition of beauty, when it comes to men in the United States and Canada, is having a muscular physique, ruggedness, and golden skin. However, in the past couple of years, especially among the younger generation, an androgynous look has become more desirable.

2. India

According to the poll, the most attractive men in India are actors Shah Rukh Khan (Don 2), Aamir Khan (Like Stars on Earth), and Hrithik Roshan (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara). Even though Shah Rukh Khan took first place, he actually opened up, saying that he has been called “ugly and unconventional” in the past.

The main beauty standard in India is having a lighter skin tone, which gets promoted a lot on TV. Other than that, Indian standards are pretty close to American: tall, muscular man, who have clear skin and a full head of hair.

3. United Kingdom

According to a 2021 poll, the most attractive man in the UK is Tom Hardy (Inception), and 2022 research suggests that Richard Madden (Game of Thrones) has a huge shot of winning that title.

The research data says that the ideal type of man for British people has an athletic build, brown eyes, short dark-brown hair, and some facial hair. In fact, men with beards are found to be over 60% more attractive than men without them.

4. Philippines

The most attractive men in the Philippines have been noted as Josh Cullen Santos from the boy group SB19 and the actor Alden Richards (Imagine You & Me).

The beauty standard in the Philippines has shifted and instead of looking macho, the men care about their appearance a lot and go for a more beautiful look, so they go to salons to get facials. Other standards include having dark hair, being at least 5’9“, and having a more “mestizo” look, which means being mixed with white.

5. South Korea

While western countries prefer men who are athletically built, South Korea likes more of a skinny, androgynous-looking body (not too skinny, fat, or muscular) for men. Men need to be a little bit soft, with slim facial features, double eyelids, and lighter skin.

Male celebrities in South Korea also do not shy away from using makeup or dyeing their hair, actors dye it black to look more youthful while idols dye it “fun” colors, and it is not considered to be revolutionary like it would be in the US.

6. Mexico

Mexicans go for a more “macho” look, which means being extremely masculine, as opposed to South Korea which prefers a more androgynous look. The list of the most attractive men includes actors Diego Boneta (Luis Miguel) and Ryan Guzman (9-1-1) in the first 2 spots.

7. Germany

According to research, German women prefer their men to be taller, with either black or brown short hair. The largest percent of the respondents said that they would like their man to be muscular, but skinny men took a close second place.

Football player Marco Reus and the actor Thore Schölermann have been named the most attractive men.

8. Italy

In Italy, men being overly masculine does not have much importance in terms of their attractiveness. In fact, a lot of men are into grooming and styling their body hair, and Italian men do not shy away from wearing “girlish” colors, like pink or purple.

The most attractive male celebrities are considered to be Raoul Bova and Giulio Berruti.

9. Australia

Australian male beauty standards are focused on physical size and being muscular. While women perceive their bodies as heavier than ideal, men who follow beauty standards, on the contrary, think they are too skinny. The Hemsworth brothers are considered one of the ideals of Australian beauty.

10. The Netherlands

The Netherlands is considered to be a country that has the tallest people in the world, with the average height of a woman being 5’7″ (around 170 cm), and 6’0″ (around 183 cm) for men. Dutch women seek a male partner that is taller than them.

TV presenter Arie Boomsma and actor Michiel Huisman have been named 2 of the most attractive Dutch men, and their heights match up the beauty standard: Boomsma is 6’5 (around 198 cm), while Peelen is 6’1 (around 185 cm). Notably, both men are also muscular and have facial hair.

Which country’s standards align with your own? Do you think standards are hurtful for people’s self-esteem?

I Accidentally Discovered My Husband’s Cheating through an IG Post — My Public Yet Dignified Revenge Shook His World

During her seemingly joyous baby shower, Lora exposes her husband’s infidelity through a slideshow that shocks not only him and his mistress but also family and friends gathered under the guise of celebration. Follow along with this dramatic unmasking that not only shatters the facade of a happy family but also sets the stage for a decisive and meticulously planned fallout.

As I watched the soft morning light filter through the curtains, I cradled our six-week-old daughter, Lily, in my arms.

It was just another quiet morning, except it wasn’t. Tom was packing his suitcase again for the first time since Lily was born.

Before, his frequent travels were just a part of our routine—I’d kiss him goodbye and count the days until his return. But this time, everything felt different.

“Are you sure you have everything?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady as Tom moved around our bedroom, gathering his belongings.

“Almost ready, Lora. I just need to grab a few more things,” Tom replied, his voice calm and reassuring. He glanced at Lily, sleeping peacefully against my chest. “I know this is hard. It’s just a week.”

A week. Seven days might not seem long, but to a new mom still figuring out how to juggle sleepless nights and endless diapers, it felt like an eternity.

“I just… I’ve never been alone with her, not really. What if I do something wrong?” My voice cracked slightly with the weight of my unspoken fears.

Tom stopped and sat next to us on the bed. He took my hand in his, squeezing gently. “Lora, you’re doing amazing. Honestly, you’re a natural at this. And hey, I’m just a phone call away, okay?”

I nodded, attempting a brave smile. “I know. It’s just—all those nights we talked about teamwork and now, suddenly, I have to do this solo.”

“We are still a team,” he reassured me, brushing a kiss on Lily’s forehead. “No matter where I am, we’re in this together.”

As he zipped up his suitcase, the reality of the impending solitude pressed down on me. I wasn’t just scared; I was terrified of being alone, not for my sake, but for Lily’s. What if she needed more than I could give?

Tom pulled us into a hug, his suitcase standing at the door like an unspoken barrier. “It’s going to be okay,” he whispered. “We’ll get through this. We always do.”

And with that, he was gone. I watched his car disappear around the corner and closed the front door gently behind me.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of feedings, diaper changes, and tender moments trying to soothe Lily’s fussing. By the time her cries finally gave way to sleep, the sun had set, leaving a calm evening to unfold.

I walked to the kitchen, poured myself a cup of hot chocolate, and sat on the balcony of our bedroom to unwind. It was my moment of respite, a brief pause in the constant demands of new motherhood.

I picked up my phone and opened Instagram, eager to immerse myself in something other than chores and diapers—a much-needed escape into the virtual world.

I scrolled through the vibrant pictures, catching glimpses of lives uninterrupted by the relentless needs of a newborn. Deep down, I felt a pang of longing—for the days when spontaneity was a given, not a luxury.

That’s when I stumbled upon our local celebrity, Anna Wren’s page, and without a second thought, I began browsing through her latest posts, unaware of the shock that was about to hit me.

She was celebrating at a new high-end restaurant downtown, her smile as radiant as the flash on the camera. The caption boasted about a night out with friends, a reminder of the world outside my baby-centric universe.

I zoomed in on the photo to admire the restaurant’s chic decor—a blend of modern and vintage that gave it a cozy yet elegant vibe. That’s when I saw them. In the softly blurred background, unmistakable even from a distance, was Tom.

He was sitting across from a woman, engaged in what looked like an animated conversation. I squinted, my heart pounding as recognition dawned.

It was Eliza, his university friend—the one who had never hidden her disdain for me. The one he had assured me was just a friend, someone I shouldn’t worry about.

The hot chocolate turned cold in my hands as I stared at the screen, my mind racing. Why hadn’t he told me about meeting her?

He was supposed to be on a business trip, confined to meetings and solo dinners, not cozy catch-ups with old friends who clearly didn’t think much of his wife.

Feeling a mix of anger and betrayal, I took a screenshot of the image. My next steps were unclear, but I knew I needed to confront him. This wasn’t just about his whereabouts; it was about trust, about the reality of our partnership now tested by distance and silence.

My mind was a tangled mess of emotions as I replayed the scene from Anna’s Instagram over and over. Tom, my husband, the father of our daughter, was on more than just a business trip. He was out there betraying our family.

But I wasn’t going to let my shock cloud my judgment. I needed to be strategic, meticulous.

First, I confirmed the hotel where Tom was staying by matching it with Anna’s tags about her influencer event. I had to be sure, absolutely sure.

So, I called my friend Mia, who had never met Tom. I asked her to do something that felt straight out of a spy movie—go to the hotel and take photos discreetly.

The pictures she sent back left no room for doubt: there was Tom and Eliza, unmistakably close, holding hands, kissing—a bitter confirmation of my worst fears.

The urge to confront him was overwhelming, yet I chose to wait. I planned every move with precision, as if setting up dominoes.

Quietly, I began funneling money into a separate account, knowing I might need every penny for what was coming. I met with a divorce attorney to understand my rights and the implications, especially concerning our newborn daughter, Lily.

His next business trip was my opportunity. I sent a bouquet of flowers to Tom’s hotel room with a note, carefully imitating Eliza’s handwriting, “Thank you for a wonderful evening, I can’t wait for many more.”

It was subtle but sharp, a dagger cloaked in velvet. The flowers were timed to arrive when Eliza was likely with him, planting seeds of doubt and paranoia.

When Tom returned, I kept my composure as if nothing had changed. Yet, under the calm surface, I was orchestrating the final act of my plan.

I suggested a belated baby shower, a seemingly innocent celebration with our close friends and family. I insisted we invite Eliza, claiming it would be nice to finally connect with his friends from Uni.

Tom, surprised by my suggestion, hesitantly agreed.

The day of the shower, our home filled with laughter and light chatter, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me. As guests cooed over Lily and exchanged pleasantries, I prepared the last piece of my revenge.

Midway through the event, I started a slideshow—cute photos of Lily, her milestones, and us as a new family. I even threw some in there with Tom’s extended family members.

Then, as the room hummed with warmth, the images shifted. There on the screen was the Instagram photo of Tom and Eliza in the background, unnoticed until now. The room fell silent. The next photos were Mia’s—clear shots of Tom and Eliza’s intimate moments.

The reaction was immediate and visceral. Whispers erupted around the room; Tom’s face drained of color, turning him ghostly pale. Eliza, caught in the glaring truth, stood up abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor as she rushed out, humiliated.

The aftermath was chaotic. The room was still buzzing with the murmurs of our stunned friends and family as Tom turned to me, desperation etching his features. “Lora, please, let me explain. It’s not what it looks like,” he pleaded, his voice cracking under the strain.

I looked at him, my expression steady and resolute. “Save it, Tom. There’s nothing you could say to change what I saw. What we all saw.”

“But Lora—”

“No,” I cut him off firmly. The decision was made. “I’ve heard enough, Tom. Your actions spoke louder than your words ever could.”

I turned away from him, addressing the room briefly. “Thank you all for coming today. I think it’s best if we end the gathering now.”

As the guests slowly filed out, the whispers of disappointment and sympathy followed them out the door. Once everyone had left, I dialed my attorney, the evidence of Tom’s betrayal clear and undeniable. “I want to proceed with filing for divorce,” I informed her, my voice steady, backed by a painful certainty.

“Understood,” my attorney replied. “I’ll prepare the necessary paperwork. We have everything we need.”

Days later, the fallout continued. Tom’s parents, having learned of the incident, invited him over. I wasn’t there, but I heard about it from Tom later, his voice hollow. “We can’t believe you would do something like this,” his mother had said, disappointment heavy in her tone.

“We’re removing you from our will. You need to think about the consequences of your actions, especially how they affect your daughter.”

Tom recounted the meeting to me over the phone, a note of disbelief in his voice. “They’re serious, Lora. I’ve lost everything.”

“Yes, Tom,” I replied, my tone devoid of warmth. “You have.”

Whatever came next, I knew we would face it together, just me and my Lily, and that was enough.

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