Of course the 2 genders like both but each has their favorites.

Men like sex. If you flirt with a hot girl for 3 years with nothing happening, you're gonna feel inadequate. When you go to the club, you aim to bring a girl home. Someone saying "Omg you're so hot" feels good but after a while it gets old. Taking the girl who complimented you home doesn't get old. Sex is passing the finish line. Attention just means you're in the race.

Women like attention. They don't go to the club to find someone to shag usually, they're there to dance, maybe kiss a hot guy and in specific college clubs, dance on the poles while guys drool at them. Sex to them is unnecessary, the idea of being desired is more important. This is why women keep orbiters (men don't do that), that way they have a constant source of attention.

Of course men will like attention and women will like sex. But a man who gets no compliments but gets consistent sex will be satisfied. A woman who gets constant attention and no sex will also be satisfied.