If a woman says to you, “You’re like family to me,” it shouldn’t be because you have arms like her sister.

Women seem to go for the body shape that evolutionary psychologists Rebecca Burch and Laura Johnsen refer to as “Captain Dorito.” This describes the golden triangle seen in cartoonishly masculinized male superhero bodies: broad shoulders leading down into a small tight waist and butt.

As for why women might have evolved to prefer this body type, evolutionary psychologist David Buss explains in “Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind” that ancestral women were obviously better off with a “physically formidable” partner, able to protect them and their children. The inner biochemical landscape of physical formidability is high testosterone. Accordingly, Buss notes that, in men, high testosterone is associated with a very masculine body and facial features (like a square jaw and more pronounced cheekbones).

Noting that high levels of testosterone compromise the immune system, Buss cites psychologist Victor S. Johnston’s observation that only males who are very healthy can “afford” to produce high levels of testosterone during their development. The bodies of less healthy males need to suppress T production so they can hang on to the limited immune resources they have.

“If Johnston’s argument is correct,” Buss adds, women’s preference for masculine features is “a preference for a healthy male.” And interestingly, in nations where overall health is poor, women show an especially strong preference for more masculine faces. The same goes for women who are more easily yucked out by cues to pathogen-causing diseases — substances and things that could contain infectious microorganisms, like poo, sexual fluids, and dead bodies.

As for you, when you hit the gym, your areas of focus should be your shoulders, arms, and butt. However, you should do whole-body workouts, too, lest you end up pairing superhero pecs with broomstick thighs and calves.

Even if you’re built like a paper cut and can’t bulk up a lot, just looking strong, especially in the essential areas, is a step in the right direction. And unfortunately, yes...the formidability thing has to result from physical workouts — tempted as you might be to skip the gym and, like somebody toting an umbrella on a cloudy day, go into the grocery store whistling and swinging a machete.

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(c.) 2019, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA  90405, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (advicegoddess.com). Weekly radio show: blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon

From Staff Reports

LAKE LURE — Join other fans of the cult-classic movie “Dirty Dancing” and relive memories of Baby’s first dance with Johnny at the film’s original, breathtaking backdrop of Lake Lure in Morse Park Meadows at the annual Lake Lure Dirty Dancing Festival on Sept, 13-14.

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Lake Lure event, the festival is welcoming special celebrity guests Stacy Widelitz, who cowrote and performs “She’s Like the Wind” with Patrick Swayze in the film; and Frank Previte, who wrote the award-winning theme song, “I’ve Had the Time of My Life.”

Appearances by Widelitz and Previte will occur throughout the weekend, as they share their experiences and past-times from their involvement with the movie “Dirty Dancing” and friendship with Swayze.

The festival will begin with a free lakeside screening of the original movie at 9:15 p.m. Sept. 13 (a Friday). 

Throughout the day Sept. 14 (a Saturday,) have the time of your life with music, dancing, watermelon carrying, art, food, beer, wine and the lake lift competition finale.

Among the festival’s many highlights is the annual lake lift competition.

Attendees are urged to practice their lake lift and enter the competition that ends the festival at 5 p.m. Sept. 14. Fair-goers who want to compete may sign up when they arrive.

The tented basketball court creates a huge dance floor for plenty of dance lessons, the event organizers noted. “So wear your dancing shoes. Sign up for the shag contest”

The festival is set in “a spectacular setting in the Hickory Nut Gorge!” the organizers said. “Bring your sunscreen and (lawn)chairs. Buy tickets in advance, since only 3,000 tickets are available. No pets allowed.”

Join rehearsals to take the stage for Kellerman’s Talent Show, which has been named the “#1 Most-Watched Film by Women” by the BBC News. “Dirty Dancing’s” impact on pop culture remains timeless, the event organizers stated.

Named one of the top 10 most beautiful man-made lakes in the world by National Geographic, Lake Lure is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Located about 27 miles from Asheville, Lake Lure sits in the Hickory Nut Gorge, surrounded by lush mountain tops and sheer granite cliffs.

What’s more, festival-goers, when they look up, will see the famous Chimney Rock.

The Sept. 13 lakeside film screening will begin at 9:15 p.m.. The film’s runtime is an hour and 45 minutes.

Earlier Sept. 13, a kickoff party will be held 5-8 p,n,, $5/child age 4-10 & $10/adult in advance. Tickets at gate $10/child & $15/adult. Gates open to the public at 8 p.m. for free admission to the film screening. Attendees are urge to bring a blanket or lawnchairs.Alcohol is prohibited. Attendees may buy tickets on the festival website.

On Sep. 14, the festival will run from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It is billed as “a full day of fun with live soul and beach bands, dance performances, dance lessons, beer, a cider and wine garden, games for all ages, food and craft vendors. “Our favorite event of the day, Lake Lift Competition, ends the day!” the organizers noted. 

Tickets for Sept. 14 activities are $10/child age 4-10 & $25/adult in advance. Tickets at gate $15/child & $30/adult. Buy tickets on their website.

A Dirty Dancing After-Party lakeside at Rumbling Bald Resort will feature the band Coming Up Brass dancing and beach cookout. It’s free and starts at 5 p.m. Advance tickets: $3 each, while admission at the gate: $35 each. To purchase tickets, visit LakeLure.com

Also a festival after-party, set at the1927 Lake Lure Inn & Spa, is billed as a “‘50’s Beach Party,” running 6-10 p.m. Live music will be provided by the band Vintage Vinyl.

Features will include:

• All You Can Eat Low Country Boil Buffet from 6p – 8 p.m.

• Bonfire with S’mores from 8p – 10p

• Giveaway drawings

• Outside games (volleyball, corn hole, giant Jenga)

• Advance tickets: $30 each

• Admission at the gate: $35 each

To purchase tickets visit LakeLure.com. Find paid parking in two nearby lots (3105 Memorial Highway & 2556 Memorial Highway) with included shuttle. Free parking along the lake (walk to the festival via the boardwalk). 

The festival benefits the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, known as PANCAN, to help find a cure, as a tribute to the film’s late star, Swayze.