We’ve all heard the saying, “a watched clock never moves. In fact, countless studies have shown that texting can create a great deal of anxiety. Whether you use texting to keep in touch or you use it to avoid difficult situations, texting is both a good thing and a bad thing. In other words, texting has the power to bring people closer together or to create distance depending on the underlying motivations of the people doing the texting.

But not everyone has such an easy time connecting with new people. Sure, you’ll find out key facts about the person, such as where they grew up and how level of interest can help you have more success with communication. Texting might feel like a good way to avoid the initial awkwardness that.

Looks aren’t everything but love, it would seem, is far from blind. Across cultures and sexes, some features hold greater appeal. And while striking faces may sometimes be drop-dead gorgeous, studies have shown we are generally drawn to Mr or Ms Average, whatever our culture. According to scientists including Professor Randy Thornhill from the University of New Mexico, average features could be a sign of genetic diversity and good health.

But is there such a thing as a “type”? Women with feminine features, such as a smaller chin and fuller lips, tend to be deemed more appealing by both sexes, Saxton tells me, but preferences for male features are far from clear-cut. So a disaster date might genuinely be a case of right person, wrong time. But it is possible to disrupt the trend.

It seems the suggestion of heroics could also fuel a romance. A study conducted by researchers at Liverpool and Stirling Universities recruited women and 64 men, asking one group to assess images of the opposite sex with digitally added facial scars while another group viewed blemish-free mug shots.