Skip to main content

Here's proof you DO care about looks...

Many people tell me that looks don't matter to them, whether we're talking about dating, friendships, or merely walking up to someone to ask a question. I can prove otherwise.

Consider this for a moment;

  • If you were out on the street and needed to ask someone for directions, who would you approach: a professional-looking gentleman wearing a business suit, a youngster wearing a baseball cap backwards, or an obese woman who looks like she can hardly walk?
  • If you were at an animal shelter, which would you opt for: an adorable newborn kitten, or a 7-year old cat with respiratory problems?
  • Assuming you were a recruiter, who would you rather hire: an inexperienced but very attractive  (think George Clooney attractive) 35-year old, or a highly experienced man who leaves a lot to be desired in the looks department?
Be honest here. Don't sugarcoat your answers just to make yourself feel better! Think about what you would really do.

As much as I want to believe people when they see they don't use looks to guide their decisions, the examples above demonstrate that we care more about appearance than we'd like to admit. I care about looks to a certain extent, as do all of you on this blog. 

Whether we're on a date, in the middle of a job interview, or just people-watching at the mall, we tend to form a first impression of someone within seconds. And this isn't something we do only with people. We gravitate toward all things pretty, whether it's a pet, car, piece of art, or house. 

Studies show that the more attractive a person is, the more we ascribe other positive characteristics to the individual, like intelligence and generosity. 

The "uglier" someone or something is, the less we want it. Is it any wonder that most homeowners insist on buying a property that needs very little work done to it? 

In the dating arena, yes, some people place a higher premium on physical appearance than others. Still, there's usually something about the other person that we find appealing and thus draws us to him or her, whether it's a pretty smile, beautiful eyes, or a nice physique. 

And then there's material goods. Several women I work with seem almost obsessed with getting the prettiest jewelry, shoes, clothing -- you name it. Such people feel that by buying things that are appealing to the eye, they in turn look prettier themselves to others. 

There's a saying that says, "Don't judge a book by its cover." For better or worse, looks figure prominently in people's overall assessments of other people and things. To say otherwise would just be a lie.

Do you agree? Please feel free to share your opinions and share this article with your friends.

Plus, click here to read earlier entries you may have missed: How to Understand People


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

No response from someone IS a response

Make no mistake about it: When you don't get a response from someone -- whether they fail to answer your texts or return your phone calls -- it is  still a response, and a powerful one at that. When a person fails to respond, it's a direct reflection of their interest -- or lack thereof -- in the relationship. Few things are more aggravating than having to hound a partner, friend, or relative for some sort of reply after we've reached out to them. Yes, we get busy from time to time, but that doesn't give anyone the right to leave the other person hanging. A terse text with something like "Been busy, will reach out soon" doesn't say much, but at least it shows some effort to bring the other person up to speed on why they've fallen off the radar. Failing to provide a response for weeks -- if not months -- communicates that you are just not a priority, and that you'll have to wait your turn to get this individual's attention. This is n...
6 comments
Read more

Do you have Isolophilia? Find out...

You're probably asking yourself, "What in the world does Isolophilia mean?" It sounds like it would be something negative, doesn't it?  After all, words that end in "philia" (e.g., pedophilia) tend to involve things we want nothing to do with. But Isolophilia isn't something all people deplore. In fact, introverts like me welcome it. Put simply, Isolophilia is defined as having a strong affinity for solitude. It describes a person who relishes being alone. While extroverts can only take so much solitude, we introverts find that it rejuvenates us. In order to recharge our batteries, we need to retreat to a quiet environment where we we're left alone to rest and/or gather our thoughts. Extroverts, on the other hand, become bored and drained when they're alone for a lengthy period of time. Social interaction is the fuel that drives them. So while an extrovert would probably do anything to avoid feelings of Isolophilia in most cases, an...
6 comments
Read more

This will spell the end of your relationship

When asked to think about the most common culprits for a relationship's going south, most people will point to cheating, complacency, and taking one's partner for granted. While these are all valid -- and documented in various posts on this blog -- there are certain habits on the part of partners that may not kill the relationship right away, but cause it to erode more gradually.  Among the most egregious of these is expecting your significant other to be perfect. They pick at your follies any chance they get. Nothing you do is ever good enough. In fact, you will never measure up to an ex, neighbor, or accomplished co-worker.  Perhaps this all sounds a bit familiar.  When you feel as though you're constantly being put under the microscope, it can inflict lasting damage on the relationship and your self-esteem. You're walking on eggshells all the time, praying you don't say or do something that's going to trigger your partner. This is no way to live, let alone ca...
Post a Comment
Read more