[Marty]

Story from BBC North West

Scientists believe they have worked out a formula to calculate how "beer goggles" affect a drinker's vision.
The drink-fuelled phenomenon is said to transform supposedly "ugly" people into beauties - until the morning after.

Researchers at Manchester University say while beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder, the amount of alcohol consumed is not the only factor.

Additional factors include the level of light in the pub or club, the drinker's own eyesight and the room's smokiness.

The distance between two people is also a factor.

They all add up to make the aesthetically-challenged more attractive, according to the formula.

The formula can work out a final score, ranging from less than one - where there is no beer goggle effect - to more than 100.

Nathan Efron, Professor of Clinical Optometry at the University of Manchester, said: "The beer goggles effect isn't solely dependent on how much alcohol a person consumes, there are other influencing factors at play too.

"For example, someone with normal vision, who has consumed five pints of beer and views a person 1.5 metres away in a fairly smoky and poorly lit room, will score 55, which means they would suffer from a moderate beer goggle effect."

The research was commissioned by eyecare firm Bausch & Lomb PureVision.

A poll showed that 68% of people had regretted giving their phone number to someone to whom they later realised they were not attracted.

A formula rating of less than one means no effect. Between one and 50 the person you would normally find unattractive appears less "visually offensive".

Non-appealing people become suddenly attractive between 51 and 100. At more than 100, someone not considered attractive looks like a super model.

As to the formula, should you wish to test it on whoever you woke up next to this morning...


In the equation below....

An = number of units of alcohol consumed
S = smokiness of the room (graded from 0-10, where 0 clear air; 10 extremely smoky)
L = luminance of 'person of interest' (candelas per square metre; typically 1 pitch black; 150 as seen in normal room lighting)
Vo = Snellen visual acuity (6/6 normal; 6/12 just meets driving standard)
d = distance from 'person of interest' (metres; 0.5 to 3 metres)

[Carolinagirl]

But it's fun to see the research and think about it. I don't drink, but sometimes there are other factors as the study shows. On the other hand, I often talk to people who do, so I'm walking on the other side of that study, but I don't give my phone no. these days.

[Paolo]

<< but I don't give my phone no. these days >>

I used to have a brilliant phone number to give to guys who chatted you up and you weren't interested..they were all proper digits but the way you wrote it down spelt out ..pissoff... scuse my french..

[Carolinagirl]

It's rare than someone catches my fancy. You and I sound like . . . . . . . "I say that like there is something wrong with that."

[Ronald Sarbo]

Melanie: How long has it been.....since anyone caught your "fancy"?

[Carolinagirl]

I've decided not to answer! A woman need her mystery!

But thank you for asking!

And you, Tina, for the big .

We ....... must stick together.

[voice1]

Her "fancy" what? Scarf? Purse? Handkerchief? We need a noun here, don't we?

[Roy]

When someone said... "They struck your fancy". I always grew up thinking it meant someone caught your attention. And I just called my mother in Arkansas and asked her and she said "yes". I always thought it sounded naughty too. It does... doesn't it?

[Taylor]

Get your minds out of the gutter!

Sheesh.

[Ronald Sarbo]

Taylor: As Bing said to Rosemary Clooney: "Fancy Meeting You Here".

[Taylor]

So.......... can I have your number?

[Carolinagirl]

to figure out there might be a vague reference here. To strike my fancy: to catch my attention as Roy said. I never thought it was a naughty phrase.

Thanks, Taylor, for taking the boys out of the gutter and that was a funny comeback.

There used to be (I swear I am not kidding) an actual phone number you could give out to an unwanted come-on that simply wouldn't take "no" for an answer.
When he/she called it they would get a message that went something like this: "Hello, you have reached losers hotline. The person who gave you this number thinks you're a loser and never wants to see you again. Had you taken no for an answer you would have been spared this rude awakening but you are NOT God's gift and never will be...." It went on in a very insulting manner for a few more seconds but I can't remember everything it was supposed to say. A girlfriend of mine actually tried it out on this poor guy and the next time he saw her he turned red and totally avoided her!
It was cruel I guess but sometimes guys do go over the line and deserve a virtual smack.

[voice1]

Originally Posted by Ronald Sarbo

Taylor: As Bing said to Rosemary Clooney: "Fancy Meeting You Here".

So, did Fancy ever show up?

[Carolinagirl]

[voice1]

There was a great bar in Pittsburgh called "Alexander Graham Bell's". It was in the point (the confluence of the three rivers. Every table had an old fashioned phone on it, the one where you picked up the receiver from the handle, held that to your ear and spoke into the other part. You could dial any table you wanted. It was too much fun. "Hello table 12? This is table 34. Could you put the brunette on please? Hello? Hello? Hello?

[Carolinagirl]

It sounds like fun!