If you’ve ever struggled to fit in with the ‘cool kids’, found it hard to flirt with a guy, tripped over while wearing high heels or felt like a bit of an outcast, we have good news!

A study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin has shown that men and women prefer to date ‘nonconformists’ – aka people who don’t follow the ‘norm’.

So, basically, if you’re a bit of a weirdo, you’re more likely to score dates and fall in love!

Before the study started, the researchers predicted that women would prefer strange men, but that men would go for ‘normal’ women; however it turns out that both sexes prefer partners who are a bit ‘left of centre’.

Matthew Hornsey from the University of Queensland was one of the authors on the paper and said, “The old-fashioned gender stereotype — that men go for conformist, submissive women — has been slow to die. I’m intrigued by the notion of the ‘girls’ night out’ and how many women feel as though they can be more unguarded without men around — more relaxed, more crass, more honest, more funny. And I keep thinking, ‘Why are you keeping this good stuff to yourselves? Men would love it!’

When you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Here’s three reasons that weirdos rule!

1. Nonconformists (aka weirdos) tend to think for themselves and don’t care as much about what other people think or say about them.

2. They generally know themselves pretty well and they’ve accepted this, making them more comfortable and confident in their own skin.

3. They are a whole lot of fun. If you don’t care about other people’s judgement, you’re way more likely to let loose and have fun!