6 Strange Behaviors That Make People Magnetically Drawn To You
They might seem odd at first glance.
Alesia Kozik | Pexels I used to struggle to understand the concept of attraction. I found people weird. Over time, I learned that many attractive behaviors are counterintuitive.
The 'Matching Hypothesis' suggests that people tend to form relationships with others based on their physical attractiveness and social desirability. They seem odd at first glance. It took me years of watching and trying to figure out people to see this. When I finally saw it, I couldn’t unsee it.
Here are six strange behaviors that make people magnetically drawn to you:
1. You leave while the energy's still high
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Most people try to keep conversations going until the air is bloated. They hover, they linger, they push for more time.
But I’ve noticed something fascinating about the ones everyone wants to talk to: they often leave first.
They end conversations at their peak when everyone’s still energized. It feels counterintuitive until you realize that scarcity creates value.
2. You don't take the bait when someone pokes at you
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I watched someone do this recently. They were criticized in a group, and everyone expected the usual defensive response. Instead?
Complete silence. A wry smile. A shoulder shrug. Zero justification. Their silence spoke volumes about their self-trust.
Research suggests that staying silent when others expect retaliation can be a powerful tactic, particularly in specific contexts. It can disrupt expectations, shift power dynamics, and even foster more constructive communication in the long run.
3. You don't rush to respond
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I learned this by accident. When someone asked me a question in a meeting, I took a full breath before answering. It felt uncomfortably long.
Inside, I was scratching around for an answer, but I kept calm. Then everyone leaned in closer. Rushed answers feel like they lost value.
4. You're not afraid to be wrong
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Here’s something weird: the more comfortable someone is being wrong, the more people trust their judgment. I’ve seen this play out several times.
While others scramble to prove they’re right, the truly confident person says, “You know what? I hadn’t thought of it that way.” This is disarming in its honesty.
Allowing yourself to be wrong can increase humility, enhance learning, and improve social relationships. Acknowledging and apologizing for mistakes can also facilitate effective responses and re-establish trust. Research on self-deception suggests that while it can provide social advantages, it can also hinder growth and self-awareness.
5. You say the thing everyone's thinking
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While everyone else tiptoes around uncomfortable truths, there’s immense power in being the one who calmly names what everyone’s thinking. You don’t have to be unnecessarily brutal here.
Stick to honesty rather than attack. That way, you can’t deny you were right to say it. Say it in a matter-of-fact tone that makes others wonder why they were so afraid to mention it.
6. You don't rescue every awkward moment
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When an awkward moment arrives, most people rush to fill it, smooth it over, and pretend it didn’t happen. But those rare few who can sit comfortably in awkwardness?
They have a strange kind of power. They make others wonder how you can be so uncommonly chill.
The most attractive people aren’t afraid to break the silent rule that says, ‘cringe must be suffocated immediately!’
I catch myself falling back into old patterns trained into me by society. I find myself automatically returning to expected, average, safe and normal.
But then I remember: normal is forgettable and never reflects the real me. Be willing to be uncommon, even if it feels weird sometimes. Your integrity is more important than fitting in.
Research indicates that awkwardness is not inherently harmful. Awkwardness can foster deeper connections, demonstrate authenticity, and contribute to a lighter, more relatable persona in personal and professional settings. It can also catalyze growth and self-awareness.
Alex Mathers is a writer and coach who helps you build a money-making personal brand with your knowledge and skills while staying mentally resilient. He's the author of the Mastery Den newsletter, which helps people triple their productivity.
