Does appearance really matter?

Its kindda preprogrammed in our gene and survival instinct to judge with our eyes. We see the world thru our two eyes. That's how human works. To be an ass and judge by the cover is human, but to love what's inside is divine. IMHO

When people say appearance doesn't matter for a relationship, only personality: "I know some dirty old homeless guys with great personality!"

Yes. But it has a catch for me. What matters more is how one presents themselves. A good hair style ("good" depends entirely on the type of hair, ALL kinds of hair will have a good style, some will be harder to attain than others), clean and good-smelling skin, clean and well-chosen clothes, etc. People who obviously do not take care of themselves, who have hair that is not taken care of, who are dirty or smelling, who wear clothes that are unkempt, will not be treated as well as people who obviously take care of themselves. This may or may not be fair, but it happens. Therefore, I would say that "presentation" matters more than "looks" even though looks do matter. A great looking person who presents poorly is likely to get a worse reception than an less attractive person who presents well. Then again.. No matter what a woman looks like, if she's confident, she's sexy. Looks do matter. Luckily, other things matter more.

Hmmm I want to say yes, but I am demisexual which means I need a emotional connection to establish a true form of attraction for me. Example I liked Jessica alba awhile back, some others celebrities but there was no pull towards them, it is just I notice they are more like alluring more so then normal but very few people make me awe struck to the point of attraction happening physically. especially if I know your with someone & your flirting with me... that is a total turn off... I had a few meaning only on one hand, being 2 people in my 32 years that I have been totally attracted to that were with other people at the time, which I disengaged due to I do not play the cheating game or even pretend it is ok... I have notice a attractive to concept of cosplaying but there is this part of me that is more interested in what they look like without make up & costumes & what there personalities are like behind the masks per se? Or I am just overly picky to the point of being destined to be alone due to me not wanting to be with some model that is mean to me & would rather go out & look pretty for crowds then just chill & watch anime or play games together as a couple... *sign*

All these stupid terms and reasons... Love and attraction are different and yet they can be the same. I'm not anything thing other than a straight man who can find other men attractive, but not to the point of a turn on(im not turned on by pretty flowers either). My point is, there's no "I care about emotional connections more because I'm this sexual or that sexual.". Physical matters to even the blind, I guarantee(measured differently, of course). To say you don't go by appearances at all, is a bit of an insult to who ever you may like"Hey, you're ugly, but don't worry, I like you for you and that's all that's matters.". There's most certainly a mix and I fully understand the while "Emotional connections matter more" approach. Also, I know I'm just reiterating a point I've already made, sometimes I just get tired of all these special snow flake terms.