The Scope of Good Looks
What comes to mind when you think of good looks? Flawless and radiant skin, luxuriant hair, attractive facial features, shiny nails and a healthy, graceful body?
They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, which means that what one person finds beautiful or admirable may not appeal to another person. However, the attributes referred to above are standards of beauty that we can all appreciate.
The beauty industry has thrived over the years due to a demand for personal products for skin care, hair care and body care. There is equally a high demand for fragrances, beauty appliances and beauty services such as salons, spas and other related services. This shows that people place great importance on good looks.
Nevertheless, over the years, people have tried to downplay the relevance of good looks by linking it to superficiality. An example is the proverb that “Beauty is only skin deep.” This implies that physical beauty is only the most obvious form of attractiveness and is no guarantee that the person who has it will have an attractive temperament, character, etc. In other words, it seeks to say that a person’s character is more important than how they look.
We can have a better appreciation of this proverb when we consider some disadvantages of being good-looking.
Disadvantages of Good Looks
1. Arrogance
Good-looking people are prone to arrogance. They may have an inflated sense of importance and may have an entitlement mentality. They are also more likely to be bossy towards others and to be less empathetic as well. As such, they may really not be as nice as they look.
2. Failure to Develop Self
Good-looking people may also fail to pay the necessary attention to self-development. As a result of the many opportunities available to them by virtue of their good looks, they may fail to develop their wit and other talents. They may also not see the need to develop a good character or a pleasant temperament.
Many people have entered into relationships with others based on a pretty or handsome face, only to be bored not long after. This is because that good-looking person may lack a depth of character or may be downright boring and no fun to be with.
But is this to say that good looks are not important? Don’t good looks matter? On the contrary, we can note some benefits of good looks.
Benefits of Good Looks
1. High Self-Esteem
Good-looking people usually have a high self-esteem. They are more confident and assertive. They believe that they are capable of achieving anything and are generally ready to take up new challenges. As such, they tend to be more productive.
On the other hand, people who are not good-looking may have a low self-esteem and may be less likely to assert themselves when required to do so. Therefore, they may not live up to their full potential as they may be held back by feelings of inferiority.
2. Getting Preferential Treatment
Additionally, we can say that good-looking people generally get a lot of preferential treatment in life. For instance, they are more popular in relationships and dating and are less likely to spend long periods single unless it is their choice.
They are also more likely to be hired for front desk jobs and marketing positions. Furthermore, they are more likely to receive help when they need it. Just look at how quickly pretty damsels in distress get help from all avenues.
As such, we see that being good-looking opens a lot of doors of opportunity.
Relevance of Good Looks
Given that being good-looking opens doors of opportunity, can we say that certain doors of opportunity are permanently shut to people who are not good-looking? Is that the case despite their intelligence, good character and pleasing temperament? Can these positive attributes on their own not open doors of opportunity? Are we saying that without good looks, certain doors of opportunity will not open in the first place?
As such, do we all need good looks in order to be given our fair share of opportunities? Do our intelligence, good character and pleasing temperament only come into play and become relevant after our good looks have opened the initial door of opportunity? In that case can’t we say that good looks are of extreme importance?
Come to think of it, there are people who have made fruitful careers out of their good looks. There are examples of models who have gone on to make millions through their good looks. Some have used their wealth to engage in philanthropy and have thus succeeded in making a positive impact on the world. Thus, by virtue of their good looks, they have succeeded in making a difference in society.
Perhaps, you should hestitate to chide your teenage child for paying so much attention to their looks and spending so much time in front of the mirror. You never know the door of opportunity that those good looks might open …
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