Before I type word one of this post, I know how important it is to encourage the development of positive, non-physical attributes...in fact, I dedicated an entire post to the widely known correlation between attractiveness and a lack of any other real abilities or strengths. However, the fact that such hot-but-useless people are not only able to survive, but thrive, proves my upcoming point that much more. I could elaborate into a grand, 3 paragraph introduction on the subject, but I think I can sum it up pretty quickly: "Fuck what your mommy told you, looks damn sure do matter". The only people who actually think they don't are either attractive and have been that way for so long they don't know any different or...yeah, you probably guessed that next joke.
We can debate whether that's right or not all day, but it's a lifelong fact. It's common knowledge that a sexy ass woman gets away with a lot more nonsense than an asthetically challenged one. Does it matter that she's dumber than a box of rocks, a omega-level superbitch or that the last time she tried to prepare food, 8 people died? Nope! She's a perfectly suitable partner...she's hot! We all know attractive teenagers are the only kind allowed to appear on television under penalty of law. Hell, whether you realize it or not, even cute kids get more attention than those who...ain't cute yet. (It's the difference between "Aww, she's adorable! Give her here!" and "Oh...she's so...small...look at that...uh...little hat she's wearing...okay, you can put her back where she was now".)
Don't believe you're the same? Okay, lets try 2 scenarios on for size. In the first one, the most attractive person you can think of (I'm not going to sit here and come up with examples for both sexes...women I can do fine, but...yeah, I'm all heterozealous and shit...it's not happening) walks up to you in the street, fully physiqued and sharply dressed, and kindly asks for the time. What do you do? Well, you likely gave them the time right after you reclaimed your jaw from the sidewalk...maybe you even came up with some stupid little small talk to get them to remain in your presence longer. It's just common courtesy...for pretty folk.
Now, let's try the second. Here, a far less atrractive, unkempt, overweight, dingy looking but generally harmless person walks up to you and asks you for the time in the same way. I can believe that many of you would give them what they asked for...but no more. You would just give them the info in a cold, robotic manner like that time hotline. (In fact, I'm betting the response to this from some people was somewhere between "ignore them" and "reach for my mace".) It's just common practice...for nonpretty folk.
Point is, even in the best case scenario, you would give them the hour on your watch, but not the time of day. Why? Is the attractive person any better or worse a person than the unattractive one based on the information you have? For all you know, the hot one is the new American Psycho and the not one is one of those Jesus-in-disguise kind of deals ("When I was naked, you did not clothe me. When I was hungry, you did not feed me. When I was fugly, you would not talk to me."). Will this stop you from making an unconscious judgement about this person based on the way they look? I'm not seeing it.
It doesn't even have to deal with a situation like that...people make entire careers out of the way they look. I'm not just talking about models, smartass...I'm talking normal, everyday shit. High-end retail stores? You usually won't find a duck in there. Restaurants? Ever notice that the server tends to be more attractive (and female) than the busboy? Ever seen the tip cup of a cute young female bartender who can barely make a screwdriver vs the 30 year vet who knows, and makes well, every drink recognized by the International Bartenders Association? Yeah.
Hell, it doesn't even have to be a public relations kind of thing...if 2 people with the exact same qualifications, backgrounds, and applicable experience apply for the same job of any kind, you can bet that the prettier one wins just about every time...and to even attempt to delude our children into thinking that anything else is the case is 3 clicks under neglectful parenting.
We just love to tell younglings that the way they look shouldn't make a difference and that "you can't judge a book by its cover". While those things may be true in theory, in basically every kind of practice we have on this planet, it does make a difference. A big one. (Plus, the second one is also invalid because nobody reads books any more...the more contemporary phrase would be "judging a DVD by it's cover"...and since I have Netflix and do it all the time, I know for a fact that's bullshit.)
The fact that we even feed our children this full rack of baby back bullshit just never ceases to amaze me...of course looks matter, otherwise we'd be blind! Sure, the fact that the way you look can be a distinct advantage or disadvantage isn't quite fair...but neither is pretending that isn't the truth, and that's why this is yet another lie they tell the chirrens.
8 reasons this post doesnt suck:
This post reminds me of the Ugly Duckling, a creepy reality pageant show where they take a dozen or so homely motherfuckers and then subject them to dozens of cosmetic procedures under the knife, trying to build the prettiest result.
I wish that shit were still on TV, I'd put on my dumpiest sweats and head on down to casting; FREE SURGERY! Yeah, baby! :)
Do looks matter? I'm not going to even argue that. The answer is 'absolutely.' But as to the question about someone stopping you for the time? To me the most important thing is what they wear...and that's a polite, friendly expression. I don't care if they look like Pippa or a pauper, if they're wearing a 'tude, I've got no love for them.
What would happen to the world if we only teach the children that looks DO matter? it would be 10,000 times more superficial than it already is, yikes!
@ Tricia- I remember a show called "The Swan" to that same effect...honestly though, plastic surgery does more harm than good a lot of times (both in medical terms and the fact that it often looks all fucked up).
@ Janene- ...well, we discussed this seperately lol
@ Deray- Notice I never said that looks were ALL that mattered...far from it...but I think it's only fair to warn them that it is the way it works to an extent...
I agree with what Deray said. And like Janene said, attitude, or what's inside matters more to most people. --It's probably just the "Like attracts like" thing you noticed.
--True, of course we all see physical appearance and have our standards as to what beauty is...
However, saying all people let it make a difference in how they treat others is not true....
Perhaps it is to the little chirrens whose parents DIDNT teach them "looks dont matter".
you are too damn funny lmao!
@ jayme- Remember when I spent a whole post saying exactly what you just said? I agree what's inside counts the most, but presentation definitely counts. All this added to my ball of opinions is that looks affect how you're treated by people who can't see your great sense of humor or honesty from across the room..that is, most people.
@ social- why thank you :) ...welcome to umf!
Yes Cap, we agree!
Presentation counts more to some people than others...some know that there may be a great, funny, intelligent person inside a rough exterior...and some could care less.
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