On the subject of apperance/being good-looking

[SolidGoldBrass]

Some people are basically better to look at than others. This is kind of a genetic accident just the same as being very clever, or very athletic.
I'm not suggesting BTW that there is any kind of absolute standard of good looks, what is regarded as a really good-looking appearance is culturally influenced, but whether what is preferred is height, thinness, fatness, light skin, dark skin, big earlobes or a sticky-out navel, these are things that some people are just born with, the same as a really powerful ability to calculate numbers, run fast or sing with perfect pitch. We can all improve to an extent on what we are born with by exercising, studying - or by the use of cosmetics, clothing etc - so what I'm wondering is whether it's maybe misguided to consider it 'unfeminist' to either pay attention to one's looks beyond the basics of being clean and tidy, or to condemn people who are 'good looking' for regarding their good looks as a workable asset in the same way that a person who is clever or musically talented or good at sports would do?

dittany i completely agree with your argument i just wanted to correct you on the 'long neck' women. removal of the rings doesnt break their necks, they can mostly manage without them but removal is the ultimate badge of shame and would be done as a punishment. (sorry, too much natgoeadv )

I think beauty is different to trying to be attractive/pretty. I was always confused as at teenager when I saw models in magazines because my friends always seemed more beautiful. Looking back on photos: they were. But they were taught to believe they were inadequate and lots of young girls have complexes about their looks because of the beauty industry.
I had one friend with a German grandmother who was a beautiful version of Claudia Shchiffer. I kid you not. When she put foundation on it hid her beauty because you couldn't see her porcelain skin. She believed foundation was "evening out her skin-tone". IT wasn't; it was dulling it.

So it's important to separate the beauty industry and beauty itself.

I think beauty is based on more than just looks. Thats why when you first meet someone they may not be so attractive but as you get to know them you realise how gorgeous they are. This is personality= beauty. IT's the same in reverse: when an attractive person has an ugly soul, they really do start to appear ugly in your eyes.

I think there's a genetic component to beauty. I think it is based on your genes. I read about a study where a researcher was trying to get a face of the "typical criminal", sO he superimposed loads of criminals phases on top of each other and was shocked by the results: the face he ended up with was gorgeous. This could mean that a beautiful face is made up of lots of different genetic components which could signify health (less recessive genes).
But, I think the importance of beauty has been blown way way out of proportion. In the past you'd get a pretty girl at work and that would be that. Everyone else had something to bring to the table. Now its beauty or you've got nothing. Not really, obviously, but society does over-value beauty.

Not saying there's anything wrong with trying to look your best. I think what is wrong is the idea that beauty is the reflection of a woman's value. There is lots of that everywhere, that's why American films and dramas only have beautiful people. My AMerican friend was shocked when she came to the UK that our soaps aren't filled with beautiful people.