Last summer, I bought a pool pass for our whole family. I got it for family fun purposes, but it turned out to be a shockingly good move for my marriage. Turns out that I really, REALLY like it when my husband smells like chlorine.
I'm often fascinated by what attracts us to other people. For instance, why does my friend think Johnny Depp is the world's most attractive man, but I think he looks like he probably smells like a sweaty ashtray? How can she not see that Idris Elba is the ultimate in swoon worthy?
But one person's hunk is another's vaguely homeless-looking weirdo because we all have our own quirks and turn-ons. Unless I'm wrong and everyone else is also totally aroused by the smell of pool chemicals?
Probably not.
So let's dish on the surprising things that women can't help but be attracted to — I apologize in advance for #16!
Spicy
"I'm obsessed with the smell of his armpits. He wears old-school original Old Spice and it drives me nuts. I sniff him constantly.
"My dad used to wear the same deodorant. I try not to think about that too much." — Jodie S., Holland, Michigan
Get Cooking
"My husband is an amazing cook. Watching him whip up something amazing and have all the burners on the stove going and it smells amazing — total turn-on. When he does the dishes afterwards? Panty dropper for sure." — Malika H., Shreveport, Louisiana
Proper Fit
"I'm a sucker for a guy in a proper, slim fitting suit. Even better if there is pattern mixing going on — especially a brightly colored pocket square.
"And of course I married a guy who wears chef pants and T-shirts 90 percent of the time. Seriously. I just can't even. But my husband never has any reason to wear a suit, so he can't justify spending the money. But MAN. So sexy." — Emily T., Saint Paul, Minnesota
More from CafeMom: 12 Men Confess Unintentionally Sexy Things That Get Them in the Mood
Beer Breath
"No idea why, but I love it when Josh has beer breath. I don't even like beer! It can't be OLD beer breath — like not when he's been out with his friends and had beer a couple hours ago. It's gotta be fresh!" — Molly M., Saint Paul, Minnesota
More from CafeMom: 25 Surprising Turn-Ons for Men
Lust for Lefty
"I love seeing a man write left-handed! So weird, but I love it." — Courtney G., Flagstaff, Arizona
The Smell of Hard Work
"When my husband smells a little sweaty and dirty from working in the yard. Or when he has a light sawdusting on him from working on house projects. Total turn-on." — Ashley P., Cincinnati, Ohio
More from CafeMom: 11 Women Confess to Steamy Crushes … Not on Their Partners
Talk Nerdy to Me
"Nerd talk does it for me, like when my hubby talks about his inventions.
"I decided I wanted to be with him forever on our second date when he was telling me about something he designed." — Jennifer K., San Jose, California
Mystery Man
"I find hockey goalies unbelievably sexy, but only with all their gear on and mask down. They tend to be pretty effed up under the mask. I can't even really see them, so I don't know if it's the mystery or what. Or if this means I actually would be attracted to, like, aliens or robots or something?" — Karen S., Oakdale, Minnesota
Spacey Smile
"I have an unreasonable attraction to people with a gap between their front teeth. That smile is so adorable to me." — Sheri R., Sacramento, California
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Hot Dad
"My husband wearing the baby is so fricking attractive to me. Like, he puts it on and I can't stop grabbing his ass. It's a visceral reaction." — Naomi D., Austin, Texas
More from CafeMom: 7 Nasty Man Habits That Really Turn Us On
Low Bar
"Currently, [my turn-on is] men looking me in the eye when they talk to me and when they ask me questions and actually listen to my answers. I apparently have a super low bar for expectations right now!
"I also think it is an attention thing. Like they aren't talking to me and looking at their phone, because their phone just might have something more interesting on it." — Jen M., Madison, Wisconsin
Hipster Love
"I'm married to an older guy who is very handsome but very clean-cut. My secret turn-on is a young hipster guy with glasses and facial hair. It's so weird. I'm totally turned on by my husband but I see a scruffy guy in flannel or slim cut jeans and I'm a mess." — Terri J., Bend, Oregon
More from CafeMom: 12 Men Confess Surprising Ways Their Partners Make Them Jealous
The Bulge
"My husband is a carpenter so his arms are quite strong. I love the veins that bulge in his arms and hands." — Mara C., Saint Paul, Minnesota
Mother Tongue
"My husband is from Peru and speaks English, Spanish, and French. Hearing him speaking Spanish and French is a total turn-on. I love the rhythm of how he speaks. He only speaks Spanish to our daughter so she'll learn, so I get to hear it a lot. Lucky me!" — Margo G., Boulder, Colorado
All Wet
"Seeing a man swim is basically the sexiest thing ever. The summer Olympics are the best time of the year, because so much swimming. So many smooth, muscled, hairless bodies. Whew. I need to stop for a moment and just picture it." — Laura A., Tucson, Arizona
More from CafeMom: 12 Men Confess the Secret Things They Envy About Women
TMI
"I love the way my husband's balls smell after he works out. Overshare? TMI? Whatever, I love it." — Name withheld
Hard Hat On
"I get aroused by guys in safety glasses and hard hats. Add some dusty jeans and a little sweat and I am DONE.
"My husband is an accountant." — Jessie M., Indianapolis, Indiana
