Finally I can come to your article. Very much appreciate your critical attitude to it and not presenting science as carved in stone. I find this is needed as in the mass media a lot of nonsense is done with "studies" and "latest scientific findings".

If we think about it, society, and most living things, are significantly invested in mating. When it comes to humans, sexual pairing has been the only means of reproduction

That caused me to catch up on a thought I recently had and almost forgot. The mating thing we usually attribute to the younger generation. It becomes kind of weird when older folks still are on the hunt, so to speak. I guess, it is more of an underlying expectation from the surrounding people when they see over 40s or 50s still on the "market" on the search for mating. It's kind of embarrassing when one is clothed and styled like a youngster and generally the young ones pity those who try to mingle themselves in and hope for a match.

I for myself think that there is a "right" time in life to be on the market as a potential mating partner. Once it fades out, one is not that interesting any more. We know this as a "truth" (exceptions confirm the rule).

I also would throw in that one actually might follow the evolutional programming (once one is free to do so) and mate with a partner which differs a lot genetically but still finds it not the right match. As intelligence is perceived somehow and the concept of life mingle with social influences and culture the biology might be a perfect match but sociology makes a halt to maintain the relationship any further (my unscientific approach here:)

Also, the chance to marry into a higher hierarchy (financially) does not happen that much, is my guess. The romance where a poor maiden (more modern secretary) marries the wealthy landlord (professor or owner of a good running family business) is always good for a story but when I should give an estimate I would also say it's more of an exception.

The question whether one likes to smell the different sex would be interesting to investigate. Is the ability to sniff it out still there even when a perfume overrides the natural smell?

HaHa! That is so typical human. We always can surprise one another!

"in some way body odors that reveal a person's immunogenetics"

So, we intuitively choose the perfume which supports our natural odor? Thats hilarious.

In general, the nature vs. nurture discussion is being held.
I think you are a person who would place an "and" between the two and include other, unknown factors as well. Those, from which we have no knowledge and from which we might never have it (room for uncertainty and stay relaxed about it).