When you encounter someone what clicks first? What makes you feel attracted towards that persona?

i think when you first see someone you only really take int oaccount looks the nyou get to know the person and if they have a good personality it holds or alternativley if youve been round sa friend and think your relationship could go somewhere i guess

Well normally if you only see someone instead of actually talk to the person, it can lead to liking said person for his/her looks. Now if you make a broad conversation with this person, and you find them interesting, you may start to like him/her for their personality, and that says a whole lot more about you.

Wait...are you talking about the second we see the person, based only on what we see, or when we start conversing? As well, do you mean attracted as in a partner or a comrade in general? For this question I will answer based on the former, but the answers may be loosely applied to either. 

As far as appearances goes, I take in as much information as I can based on the circumstances, but tries not to lose my head. For instance, if I saw someone at a library and I noticed she was actively perusing a certain section of books, I can think of a few potential mindsets they MIGHT follow. 

As far as conversation, honesty, intelligence and a simple kindness are up there. That person would have to be open minded, and willing to see more than their firm beliefs. If I met someone and who was nice enough and looked alright but could not tell the difference between a lawnmower and a light bulb, I would lose interest to be blunt. She would have to be open emotionally speaking and...well I would need to see thinks that between us both can create something somewhere somehow. 

Well personally I think that the action, looks and speech of a person may tell us many things.  We get a general idea about that person, if these things are compatible with us, we instantly like him/her.  It is just a beginning of good things, but we do not know its consistency or constancy .

seanne : That statement has grounds, and I agree it is a mixture of all of these traits. However I would not necessarily say how consistent any person's evaluation is as there are a plethora of different factors that could alter it at any given point.

Oh yeah...you think that there is a variation with time.....I agree with u...

For me it's personality.
I'm the kind of person who prefers
the nice nerds over the jerk buff guys.

Usually for me, it is the person's personality and/or if we have similar hobbies and likes.

For me its about personality, I don't care about looks, I also like spiritual girls and ones that are not afraid to do what they want, Although i would say that i go for weird looking girls . I am usually the type of guy that makes a lot of friends but never a relationship..

Unfortunately my girlfriend  broke up with me after 2 years about 3 days before my birthday xD

What triggers me is a girl that understands my feelings, is very smart, doesn't waste time on stupid fads, and is a nice and great person who has a lot in common with me.

due to recent events ive changed my mind on this question i thought i was shallower than i actually thought i actually find people with confident out going personalities more physically attractive somehow like i'd see a girl at first and think oh shes pretty and then we'd talk and then if shes horrible i'd think wow she's got uglier or alternativley wow shes amazing wierd how it works :p

This is actually a really good question since it makes people examine themselves to find the answer.

It is kinda hard to put it into words, but I guess it would be how comfortable they make me feel. You know how some people give off this "back off" vibe... I don't really feel any attraction towards those types. This is ironic because my fiance gave me that impression when we first met... he isn't the most social person. Generally though, a clear-eyed polite guy (can be shy, out-going, funny, whatever) gets my attention. Jerks don't impress me.

Elara : You have a really broaden sense of mind I must say.

seanne : Thank you! I try -- I may not always succeed, but I try.

JazzCoon : Yeah right metallic body lol...I understand nice facial features but why teeth ?

JazzCoon : LOL yeah u seem to have a very good reasoning.