Read a story to find way to a woman’s heart

BEING tall, dark and handsome probably helps – but it turns out that the real key to a woman’s heart is being a good storyteller.

Men who can spin a yarn engagingly are seen as creative, intelligent and influential – making them good potential fathers.

However, having the gift of the gab does not help women in the same way.

US scientists from the University of North Carolina showed 71 men and women a photograph of someone of the opposite sex, with an assessment of storytelling ability, and asked if they would like to have the person as a date, long-term partner or friend. The ability to tell a good tale did not affect how men rated women. But women thought men who were good with words were better to settle down with.

The scientists then gave volunteers photos of people of varying storytelling ability, and asked if they thought the person was a leader, a high earner and a high achiever.

This showed that good storytellers were seen as more authoritative and successful.

Writing in the journal Personal Relationships, Dr Melanie Green said women place more value on status for a long-term partner because it indicates whether a man will make a good provider.