Do appearances matter?

Question

It feels to me that people (myself included) are judged many times on their appearance.
In terms of attractiviness (which i guess is relative), weight (why are people so mean to fat people!!), and clothes (making an effort).
What are your thoughts?
I think physical appearances are overrated, but my mom and other people always seem to make being attractive a big issue.
ex)my mom asks- is his new fiance good looking?
i say, does it really matter???

Answer 1

Appearance matters according to time, place, and circumstance. This applies only to respectable presentation, not looks. If you show up at a job interview with a wrinkled, stained shirt, and tight capri pants, hair not clean or combed, you are sending a negative message that you do not think this job is worth the effort of presenting yourself in a respectable way. A neat, clean appearance has nothing to do with physical attractiveness. It has to do with the state of mind a person maintains. In this, conforming to accepted standards of appearance is helpful in becoming respected, successful individuals.

People are attractive by their qualities. Physical beauty is a quality, but it is inferior to the qualities that a person develops, such as integrity, honesty, intelligence, respect, humility, kindness, and tolerance. Someone who is physically unattractive can be extremely attractive by their inner qualities. One famous example was that of Albert Einstein. Marilyn Monroe, the sex icon, was asked who she thought the sexiest man in the world was, and she said it was Albert Einstein, who, by most standards, was not physically attractive, but was extremely intelligent.

Being overweight can indicate that a person has poor self-control. This can also be said of those who drink or smoke excessively. Any habit that is excessive is typically seen this way, although, in some cases, being overweight is the result of thyroid problems, or adverse reaction to medication.

Being neat and clean indicate a measure of self-discipline. It takes some effort to maintain clothing in good condition, and to maintain the body in a groomed condition, but one does not have to go over-board in this respect. Being too engrossed in one's appearance, clothing, and physical attributes can be seen as a sign of insecurity with oneself. I know women who spend a minimum of 2 hours a day just doing hair, make-up, nails, and getting dressed, even if they aren't going anywhere or doing anything. That seems excessive to me. We should care how we are presenting ourselves, but we should not be obsessive about it.

Answer 2

hell yea appearance does matter but not in the way a lot of people understand it.
Why do you wash up and dress up in clean clothes before you go out the door? because the way you look sends a message about who you are.
I can guarantee you that if you had two applicants for a job where the ability to walk several miles a day would be crucial, and you had to chose between an obese and a fit person, you would think twice before hiring the obese person. Why? because he/she looks fat? No, because by looking fat you're getting the message that this person is not very likely to be in good shape and chances are pretty good they might not be able to perform the job as needed.
Appearances ARE overrated many times, but to say that they don't matter, that would not be very intelligent.

Answer 3

First impressions always matter. Once an unattractive person, who is a great person becomes known as such, most people find them attractive.
Some people never get off the looks. So sorry for them, because they will not be able to handle getting older. Beauty really does fade - just ask me.