Ask Dr Louise

I’m 22 and have had complete strangers compliment me on my beauty. My parents have brought me up to believe it’s my right to be admired but my friends tell me I’m arrogant and that one day when I’m older I’ll regret not having focused on developing my personality. I don’t understand why I should have to do that.

I made the decision early on that I’m not going to study and have a career as I’d rather be a lady of leisure and let someone else pay for my fun. There are so many men who want to date me but I have to tell most of them to leave me alone. I’m fussy and if a guy doesn’t have a certain look or lots of money, I’m not interested.

I don’t want a normal guy – he must be either exceptionally good-looking or really rich! Laraine, email

Unfortunately, beauty fades with time – this is difficult to believe when you’re young but it’s a fact of life.

It’s up to you how you choose to live your life but bear in mind that having a career will give you independence.

There’s more to a person than just their body, however beautiful it may be to look at.

What someone’s like when you’re with them – how kind, nurturing, funny or interesting they are – is what really attracts or repels people. A charming personality and a kind, caring nature will always be admired, whereas looks fade.

The next time you’re ready to dismiss a guy because he’s not good-looking or rich enough, stop and think about the qualities you’d want in a good partner – and thinking even further ahead, in a husband and father. Take time to get to know people for themselves before you dismiss them out of hand.