I feel like there is a lot of mis-calibration between peoples' evaluation of their own SMV versus what other perceive.

It all started when an acquaintance I met who is 29 started complaining about how he makes 150,00 a year, yet has no success with women. "I make a chitload of money for my age, yet no girl seems turned on by it?"

Then it struck me. I had NO FUCKING idea that he made that much. So why would any girl notice? Here was the gap: It was not outwardly manifested at all. He was a minimalist. He lived in a modestly sized house. He didn't believe in buying expensive cars (he would rather save the money and travel) and drove around a toyota. He wore decent clothes, but nothing outlandish.

He saved most of his money and took the occasional lavish trip oversees. Point is - the guy making half as much as him but driving around in a BMW M5 and buying an upscale condo but with a chitload of debt is going to induce more tingles than him even though he makes TWICE AS MUCH.

It got me thinking about other ways our perceived SMV is mis-calibrated. Another Good Example - I am at 10% bodyfat, 175 pounds, been working out for 5 years. I look like an underwear model with my shirt off. Mostly from weightlifting, calisthenics, and gymnastics. I only get down to 10% during the summer because I like my food. I look at myself and think "best shape of my life..women should LOVE this..but why aren't they noticing?".

Well, for one I don[t walk around with my shirt off, and secondly - if you know anything about having a low bodyfat with muscle, you know that when you get down to 10% or single digits with a shirt on, you start to look deceivingly skinny. Basically, with my shirt on, I don't even look like I really lift - unless you get close and notice the veins on my arms/biceps. Short - no one is really going to notice. I get more indicators of interest when I am bulking in the winter and have flab over my abs because I appear bigger.