Umm... let me take back the word “should”. I would not recommend it to be the main attraction. Now, if someone is disgusting to you, then, no amount of intelligence and the rest, may be enough. And one last thing: pictures often do not show the person as she/he really look like in person.

I think if we pay too much attention to physical characteristics, and specially if we are 50+, we run the risk of leaving undiscovered someone that may very well be ideal to spend the rest of our days. Specially in a site like this one where we put a high premium on intelligence, common sense, reason, maturity, common ideas and common ideals. Of course, let’s not kid ourselves, physical attraction does play a role, just should not be the main attraction. : )

For a realtionship to exist minds have to meet.
For a physical relatioship bodies have to meet.

If the body image of 'Person A' does not arouse 'Person B', a physical entanglement could:

• not be possible as a male needs to become erect
• be unpleasurable due to less investment.

As far as females I've meet yes I would, and have . Being able to talk honsetly and openly is a big attraction. But to be honest the physical aspect is a usual start. I guess it all depends on how we meet. I like this site for getting past some fairly significant fundementals.

The bottom line is there really is something to what we call "chemistry", defining what that is is another story altogether, but it changes throughout your life.

The best analogy I have ever heard is that most of us carry around a composite image of that ideal mate in our psyche, both physical and personality-wise. When we meet someone, we subconsciously project that image and depending how close that person matches that image is where we determine if there is attraction.

Absolutely

My personal experience?
I have more than a few women in my life that have become very good FRIENDS due to our common interests and experiences.
But I learned a long time ago that there is really no overcoming the physical attraction hurdle if you desire more in a relationship... unless you plan to close your eyes and fantasize every time something physical is going to happen. It is possible but not generally practical.
This is not being shallow either as whether we feel we are doing it or not, we are making judgments based on looks that appeal to us. That is why you will inevitably at some point in your life see a couple and wonder how they could possibly be together because he or she is a solid 9 and the other is lucky to be a 2 by your standards.