We all still have an idea of what society deems a 10 though, so that's what most go by. However, what makes someone a 5 or a 10 is entirely subjective. A 10 to one person is a 1 to someone else.
I'd never seek out a 10 (by society's standards). This is because I know I'm not a 10. If I got a 10, it wouldn't be anything lasting, because I'd be wondering what other women would try.
If I pulled a 10, and a female 9 went after him, I'd wonder if he'd stay loyal. If he found her more attractive. I'd constantly feel that I have to
compete for his attention, and that I have no room to slip. Would never compete for attention, if I felt I had to compete I wouldn't pursue him... or I'd let him go.
If I went with someone closer to myself, that same feeling of having to compete wouldn't be as extreme. I wouldn't have to worry about the 'model types' so much, because he's close to my own level of attraction, not theirs.
You can... but there'd be a lot of lonely nights
Yup! For me anyways. It doesn't matter how good of a person someone is, if they're not attractive
to me and don't get a second look... there's nothing that would make me desire a conversation with them. (Unless he was doing something that caught my attention, and his personality showed through that).
Protein nourishment...

Good one!