Why do many people fancy similar characteristics in the opposite gender?

This is a question that's been on my mind. I do appreciate that everyone's tastes in the opposite gender are different and have a very wide range. However, it seems as though as a population there are general characteristics that women and men seem to like. For example, a lot of girls are after guys who have six-packs, who are funny, and are dominant, but a lot of men like women who have slim bodies, have blonde hair, and again, funny (to name a few, but these are not exhaustive). Isn't it interesting that there are universal traits that people look for in partners and that these seem to apply across the whole of the human species? I am wondering why is this the case?

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