I’d not have considered it when I was younger, but I have stated before, I am considered pretty in real life, to the extent I am commented on it by strangers, on my face, even now at 52 I still get it, but I’d not admit in real life is that I am relatively successful in my career in a male dominated environment, and I always credit it to hard work and riding the crest of a wave, getting lucky, but sometimes recently I have a creeping suspicion that potentially my looks may have given me opportunities.
Even thinking it bothers me, because I wish to think it’s solely about ability, and I know one hundred percent that’s a huge part of it, but I suspect deep down as I get older and wiser there may be more to it.
On the flip side, yes I always have had and still get male attention, most women are wonderful to me but I have endured many women who have made it very clear that they hate me on sight.
I told the story of years ago on holiday, walking through the resort with my husband and daughter on the way to dinner, I was wearing a basic monsoon cami, and a knee length a line skirt, totally normal holiday attire, nothing revealing, bit dull really, I was late thirties. I walked past a woman and her husband, who I’d never seen before, and she eyed me up and down and said loudly whilst staring at me, and said with a sneer “ that woman’s dressed far too young for her age” .
The three of us just stared shocked and kept walking, I glanced at her husband and he looked mortified, but little horrible comments I’ve had like that all my life.
The vast majority of women are lovely though and I’ve had many compliments, mainly from women. Men tend me be sleazier. But yeah, there are some women who are unpleasant, and many more men who are.