Quote from Picaso:
I'd say most people get this wrong.
The key thing is that the attraction has to be <i>mutual</i>. If it is, it's likely to stay that way for many years (within reason, I'm not saying the emotion is always going to be like in the first few dates).
The problem most guys have is that <i>they</i> are not attractive (enough) and somehow think that their money, supposed success or assumed intelligence makes up for that, which, of course, if the woman is looking for a provider, father, catch or best friend it will <i>to initiate</i> the relationship. However, women also like sexually (as in purely physical) attractive men and unless you do well in that department (I'm not implying anyone here doesn't), they will lose interest <i>in you</i>, which eventually leads men to look elsewhere, somehow fooling themselves into thinking it is their partner the one that is not "hot" enough.
I agree that if a woman doesn't have the hots for you right from the start, forget it. Even if you seduce her, she'll get bored. Whereas women who are interested in you strongly from the start, will stay interested. Even if you break up, and then go out with someone else, they'll still want to meet you again. So in that sense, 'love at first sight' (aka lust at first sight) works.
I would add the caveat that compatible personality is also necessary for long-term serious stuff. If someone is smoking hot but a pain in the arse, the most you can enjoy is some temporary pleasure, you can't have a happy relationship with them.
So the rule would be - never settle down with someone unless you both feel lust at first sight, and you have a harmonious personality match. In all other cases, keep things strictly no strings attached, enjoy the pleasure but don't let the emotions get involved. If you can't stay aloof in those situations, then better to just stay single and only have brief encounters, while you bide your time waiting for the right person.
At all costs, one must avoid getting into less than ideal relationships - you or her will get bored eventually, and either be unhappy or get cheated on; and while in a relationship, if you ever *do* meet someone suitable, you are hamstrung in pursuing them. It would suck to be in a boring relationship, and then miss out on an ideal partner because you were not single and fully free to pursue.
So, the ideal course seems to be live the life of a playboy, intending never to settle down - that way, you will only settle down if you meet someone sufficiently interesting that it actually looks better to settle down with them than to continue your roving life. Whereas if you live looking for a relationship, you will probably take the first 'reasonable' option that comes along, and that is unlikely to be good enough to last.
It's a bit like shopping - if you go out looking for a pair of shoes, you'll buy the first half-decent pair you see. Whereas if you just window shop with no intention of buying, you will only buy something that truly stands out.