Beauty's in the eye of the beholder and all that. I think you HAVE to find them physically attractive. Doesn't matter that your mates think she's a total swamp donkey, as long as you find her attractive.
Keep the distinction between establishing a relationship and meeting people.
If you're fat, ugly or particulalry short or tall or whatever you will find it more difficult to meet people and make friends than the attractive people will.
I mean, this is hardly news is it?