Why do people judge others so much on looks

[LardLizard]

It drives me mad

Ditto

And it starts really young.

Do you mean physical appearance or how they look as in clothes tattoos hair?

I've been thinking about this the past few days. I'm on holiday and was feeling a bit self conscious about being on the beach with my imperfect tummy/hips, but looking around there are people of all shapes and sizes wearing their bikinis and having a good time. It affects other people in no way at all what they look like so why would people judge their appearance, it's the least important thing I can think about a person. so yeah I've also been wondering why people judge others, it's very strange and unnecessary

I mean all of it, physical appearance, clothes etc

Yes - but it must be something in human nature, because every society has always valued beauty, throughout history. Look how far Henry viii went when his eye fell on Anne Boleyn!

(I hate it btw)

I honesty think I treat other the same regardless of how they look or dress.

How I find when I look "good"
In the sense of hair done nice clothes on etc

People are so nice to me

Yet if I look like a scruff bag, people are no where near as nice, not saying. Nasty at all, bit when I look nice people are all nicely nicely to me
Where I'm exactly the same person regardless

I lost 5 stone a few years ago and the difference in the way I was treated by both friends and strangers was astronomical.

I believe it is down to our need to assess the potential risk in situations in order to decide which response is needed.

So when an individual is walking towards you down the street or whichever situation you are in you make a snap decision regarding how you believe they may act, for example: a tall muscular and aggressive looking male might be more intimidating than a frail elderly lady and thus prompt a different reaction from you.

Appearance is all we have to go on initially but when we develop more knowledge about that individual our opinion often changes. It's annoying if you feel you are being unfairly judged but unfortunately it's something that everyone does, whether consciously or not. It's a useful tool to keep us safe and allow us to act appropriately in certain situations but it's not always correct.

I found this to be the case when starting a new project, I was immediately drawn to a lady of similar style as I felt we would have more in common. We don't and actually we don't get on especially well at all.

It is the same with the bias we form from personal experiences and social influences growing up but I do think it's also important not to let it drive you to treat others unfairly and to always challenge your views.

Other than your basic physical appearance which you can't change, everything else is a choice, and so whether we like it or not we get an immediate sample of choices an individual has made that by human nature lead us then form an first impression.

Hairstyle, clothes, shoes, hair colour, glasses (size, frame style, colour etc) how well groomed Simone is, tattoos, piercings, and to some extent even posture and weight and the way someone carries themselves are all a choice and off course form people to make an initial assessment of the type of person you are.

Our basic genetic goal is immortality and given that we can't actually live forever, we do this by searching for a partner to procreate with that will enable our genes to go forward to the next generation and be successful. Therefore we are pre-programmed to subconsciously look for things that indicate health such as symmetrical features etc. Having bright and attractive progeny will ensure that your genes go forward to subsequent generations.

Thanks for your thoughtful posts, you have made me reconsider, what do you mean by me not treating others unfairly ?

what situations are you talking about?

I don't notice much difference between when I'm wearing gym clothes or smart work clothes. But grooming makes a difference- if I've blowdried my hair nicely and wear make-up, people respond to me more positively than if I haven't bothered. Maybe because grooming reflects how you feel about yourself, how much time/effort you put into your appearence? Looking tired or like you've just got out of bed doesn't give a good impression at work. Looking polished and put together gives the illusion you're competent and in control.

I try to be well groomed for anything where appearance matters eg doctor's appointments, meeting new people etc even if it means getting up earlier or doing my hair the night before.

I honesty think I treat other the same regardless of how they look or dress.

You probably don't though.

I don't judge on physical attributes that can't be helped, but if you go around looking like you've been dragged backward through a hedge, yes I probably will judge you. It's about respect. If you can't respect yourself enough to put your best self forwards, why do you expect others to respect you?

I get this a fair amount.

I'm pretty fat, often look like a bag lady on the school run because I've been sleep deprived for 4 years and people are surprised I'm 1) married, 2) an accountant, 3) speak nicely and 4) have a 'hot' husband (my old colleagues used to go out of their way to 'congratulate' me on my hot husband).

It's all such bollocks.

The reality is that when you see an acquaintance/stranger you see a snapshot of a person that gives you absolutely no information about their character.

I went to buy an outfit for a wedding the other day straight from the school run and was a mess. The ladies in the Boutique were decidedly off until it became apparent I could afford to shop there.

I've thought about what you have said to me, and I suppose I can see your right, it just really pisses me off
And I don't think it's fair
But it's true I suppose that we all do judge based on appearances
I thought about this today when I didn't want to go in the hot tub in the gym. Evause there was three men in there all massive with shaved heads and I thought they looked the sort to say, oh what's your name etcetc
You know
Showing off in front of their mates etc
So I suppose I judged them on looks

betty has nailed it . Biology I'm afraid
I think we give ourselfs to much credit sometimes for trying to think outside of that in certain ways

Google "unconscious bias", OP

It's an interesting question OP. I suppose I do make judgements about people based on looks but once I get to know them it becomes irrelevant.

Some people just don't understand that looks are all about genetics.
That is only ever going to be their problem

If you ask my conscious mind whether I judge people on appearance and treat them differently accordingly, then no I don't.

However, I suspect that at a subconcious level I'm probably influenced by looks. I think that we are biologically programmed to note other people's appearances. It's important for choosing a genetically superior mate, assessing the strength of friend or foe etc.

I think we're still influenced by our animal instincts a lot more than we care to admit.

Because many believes looks says a lot of a person's personality and all that.

Perhaps i was subconsciously judging those men for being thugs, when perhaps they were nothing of the sort, they certainly didn't say anything to me
You have made me really think, i am listening to what you say