Age, some, and part of that is due to cultural differences between people who are born too far apart.

On the other hand, cultural differences CAN be beneficial if both parties are open minded and learn and grow from each other's experiences. Or cultural gaps can wreak havoc.

Looks are superficial, but at the same time, something has to grab my interest, and, being creatures with high visual acuity, that is often part of the equation. On the other hand I have dated "plain" women who were more of a turn on to be around than some of the "arm candy"' types that I have dated. Looks may turn my head, but my mind is far more powerful and need convincing of another type.

Education can be a stumbling block, but not as much as a difference in intelligence. One's level of formal education tells me NOTHING about how intelligent or well-read a person is or how enjoyable they are to be around. I know fascinating, well-rounded people who have less than a high school education, and always have something new to talk about. Likewise, I know dull people with PHDs who know very little about life other than work and memories of the college education they are still paying for. Guess which ones are more fun and educational to be around.

The best relationships I have (platonic and otherwise) are with intelligent people who have value to add to my life, just by being.

Yes.
Age, education and culture are the basic foundation of who we are and while many combinations can be compatible, there are some differences to wide to bridge without bending
Looks come into play simply because that’s the key to physical attraction.

Age, obviously. But in all seriousness, all the things tend to overlay the human thought process due to "social norms". We can over-ride, or condition, our thought process not to do so. I can, however, tell you I've known people of all races, religious views, colors, ages, etc...and out of all known adults, little kids are probably the most honest. Adult humans make things very complex. If everyone was just brutally honest, like an 8 y/o, we'd already have flying coloring books.

Good question!
I would consider them all yet, I would not put a lot of weight on outside factors if the insides appear
compatible.

Absolutely...

Has to be intelligent. Must be able to keep me intrigued. If I wanted a model that has the personality of a pop tart, I would have kept my first wife. Real beauty is inside, but I don't care who you are, if you're not physically attracted, then it won't last. There has to be the desire to go forward. My opinion, noting matters of they occupy your mind and soul, everything else falls into place.

Age is not a big thing with me but having common ground is. A person can be college educated or self educated. The unfortunate thing for me is that my own age might soon be a problem. OK, it just depends on what someone is looking for I guess.

Well, by the time I had read through all of your answers, I had already forgotten the question. Happens when you are old. Here is my biggest turn on:

1. you are smarter than I in some aspect I care about ( not in everything; that would be too hard to achieve)
   b) you can make me laugh.
   ß we have some common point of reference. Example: one of my husbands was a few years younger than I, not that you could notice, but he did not know who James Dean was. Red flag: I was missing a whole era of reference with him. It did not end well. He also refused to learn how to pronouncemy name. That may seem trivial to you, but not to me.

It depends. I think to some extent, but it can be accomplished in many different ways. As far as age, I find a lot of men my age have become very conservative, religious and they seem to want young, thin, pretty women. I am not young, I am not thin any more, and although, I don't think I am bad looking, but I am not gorgeous. Since I am liberal, not Christian, I have a few strikes against me when it comes to age and looks. As far as culture, I don't think I would get along with a man that is from an very patriarchal culture, but a man that is rather flexible, it might work. As far as education, I know a lot of men who are not formally educated, but have read, learned, explored, and have a lot of skills so may not have been college educated but may know a lot about things that I don't. I want to be with a man who is a nice guy, who strong, honorable, has integrity, who likes to work around the house, and outside, who is open minded, and is fine with a woman his age. He doesn't have to agree with everything I think, which would probably be a bit boring, but someone I respect. One of my best friends is a guy who is extremely smart, funny, fun, conservative, but knows I am pagan and is fine with it. He reads, likes movies, likes to go geocaching, we like Walking Dead and discuss every episode. Before that it was Lost. We talk about books we read, and trade books. I just love him. I wish he had a dad or uncle,who was just like him and single.

I think there are many important qualities. For instance I would want someone a little educated. I would want them to have a good heart, care about people and animals. I do not believe in hunting unless you eat what you kill. That is a real strong point. No trophy hunter. I also do not smoke, so smoking is a deal breaker. We can be friends or even date, but I have asthma and I have oxygen at home in the event I get in trouble. Cigarette smoke makes me sick. I would like a guy who was a love to be around the house type, like flowers, putsy around the yard, and enjoy that. Also, I would want someone who wanted to be with me. I dated a guy 20 years ago. His idea of a great life was to go to a bar everynight and sing on open stage. I like being at home, working around the house, going shopping, but a bar every night, no. Some are filled with smoke. I love mother nature. I like animals. So I would want some pets.I would not have anything in common with someone who didn't love animals. I am interested in eating healthy. I like to eat organic, no pesticides, and gleutin free. I like to try new recipes with eating like I do. That may not seem like it would be good to eat, but it is excellent. I like cuddling up and watching TV, going to plays, concerts, and socializing with friends.I guess if you think about it all, it is shared interests. There are going to be differences, but more the same. I would love going to see the Pittburgh Pirates play, the Steelers, and the Penguins. I like to watch sports, not so much playing. I have a broad range of interests. I like to go to garage sales, looking for bargains, vintage items, and antiques. I have a love of older items, but new ones also. Jut a nice interesting congenial guy. I would like to do some traveling for vacations. My career sent me many places and I love history. So, I would hunt up all the historical places and visit, depending on how my job was proceeding. So, I have been to much of the USA, but not all. I do not care what someone believes. I do not go to church. I am a spiritual kind of person, so no religion.

Yes.

Of course. Why would you want to be in a relationship with someone who didn't fit?

I don'y get the question. I choose those I relate with morally and ethically and their commitment to save the planet.

Specially intelligence.

Age to a degree, looks yes, culture to a degree, education no, but intelligence yes.

Mostly yes. I have had good relationships with differing cultures, but there is a limit to this differences. Age falls into culture. Looks are important as there must be initial attraction, although there is a fairly broad range I find attractive. Education is huge for me because how we converse hangs on that.

All play a part, but it usually comes down to conversation. If I cannot hold a decent conversation with her it won't matter about the rest of the list.

Of course. Why would I not?

Yes.

The more good looking a guy is, the more of an idiot “I” become. Stammering, yammering. I have often said, “If I act like an idiot around you it’s because I think you’re hot.”

But other than that, not necessarily. Age doesn’t matter as long I remember that there are a lot of topics we’re going to see differently just because... I think that having friends from the many perspectives of life is really good for us. It broadens our viewpoints, and give us more understanding of each other.

I used to hang out a one of the most popular Starbucks in the Seattle area... right downtown, and I met people from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America... and while we had wildly different views on life, we had a lot in common as well, and I learned a lot about how other live.

It’s been my experience that the most difficult people to hang around are people who “think” they’re smarter than everyone else..

Yes.

Yes.

Dated 19 years younger; didn't work. Dated out of my league; didn't work, then again she had a drug and alcohol problem and I am not. Uneducated women do nothing for me. I don't care about culture.

It depends on the type of relationship you are talking about. If you are talking about a friendship then there are no differences that could be barriers for me. If you are talking about a fling or tryst then there are a few differences that matter based on mutual attraction. If you are talking about a serious long term relationship then all of the differences you listed matter to me based on my personal preferences. Age and education (or intelligence) matters to me because i prefer someone who has similar experiences, intellect, financial security, and goals. Looks matter because i'm very sexual. I want someone who shares a strong mutual attraction with me. I am 5'10" in shoes. I prefer women who are a bit shorter than me. Culture does not matter to me as long as she can relate to me and we can't keep our hands off of each other.

Age is my only problem in that list.