First, a quick shout out to Stacy for the pic, they look yummy
Okay, I can speak only for myself on this, but the reason I looooove big areolas is slightly complex. I took some time to parse out my reaction. See if this makes sense:
* there are three main dimensions that differentiate women's breasts from men's, when you first see them: overall breast size; overall breast shape; and areola size. (Nipple size would be a candidate as well, but I find that less often different than the above three.)
* the more a particular woman's breasts do not look like a man's (using the dimensions above), the more "feminine" the woman looks. (Please, forgive me if I'm adding to anyone's "body image" concerns -- remember, I'm talking about initial visual impressions
.)
* men "know" that women's breasts can be sexually sensitive -- one of the first things we try when making out is to reach second base
-- and we somehow "know" this from the time we hit puberty. (Kind of interesting, that.)
* we "know" that the nipple area is the most sensitive part of the breast; it seems that the areola, being the same color as the nipple, should also be that sensitive
* hence, a large areola seems both more "feminine" and also seems to suggest more sensitivity -- very exciting for two good reasons!
Experience has taught me that the areolas really aren't reliably sensitive: the most requested spots are the nipples (light to hard nibbling) and the bottom part of the breast below the nipple (skin-on-skin "peeling away"). But there really is nothing for me (and, I suspect, many guys) like the moment when a woman takes her bra off and there before me are these wonderfully inviting rosy dark silver-dollar-sized areolas begging for attention. Woohoo!
Kev