Do Attractive People Get Benefits That Others Don't? Question

–Audience Question: Do attractive people get benefits that others don’t?

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[paullinsley]

The key to understanding the currency value of attractiveness is in the word we use to describe it: "attraction." This usually means to draw attention.  Physical attractiveness is part of the currency. In all cultures whoever promised the most opportunity for survival and comfort attracted the attention of mates and followers the most. What we consider to be attractive are features that indicate a high degree of physical/intellectual ability- a symmetrical face indicates a lower likelihood of inbreeding in the family. As strong jaw and small eyes that are close together in a man indicates a lineage of men that wet good hunters. For women in pre-industrial societies the features that promised fertility and healthy reproduction were attractive. For men it was the ability to provide food and shelter. Beauty is largely determined by features that indicate a genetic makeup of strength and adaptability. When food was scarce it is beautiful to be plump and well-fed. When food is toxic and addictive it's healthier to look thin and active. In the industrial era the features of attraction shifted to people that were better able to adapt to the technology developing and in the corporate world those that are able to navigate the complexities of abstracted labor and demonstrate leadership become more attractive. In the era of the image (especially in the age of internet, youtube, Facebook) the emphasis is placed more on being charismatic, clever with rhetoric, and having features that reflect healthy living and good genetic structure. The image has become more important- perhaps less powerful-- but having a thin, healthy trim face carries higher currency than it did before, but like always is inadequate when intellectually engaged. Yes being physically attractive carries certain benefits - especially for people that make a living on camera- considering the proliferation of cameras that's having more of an impact. But the ability to engage the audience on an intellectual or charismatic level still carries a higher currency.

[Archivian]

Short answer to the title, Yes

Slightly longer answer, attractiveness is as much cultural as it is biological. Whatever X culture considers attractive, that attractiveness can become commodified and utilized as social capital. People who fit in that category of "attractive" automatically are more inclined to receive at least some of the privileges associated with such social capital.
Similar to many forms of social privileges within social structures.

[ogunbaboy]

Do you guys think I'm attractive?

[yootoob]

We used to walk into (gay) bars and my friend Wally would have to shield himself because drinks were flying in his direction so fast. Tall, fit, handsome and cheerful, the rest of us shared the bounty as Wally took advantage of drink offers to order a round for all of us. We wondered how many years would pass before Wally realized drinks in bars cost money.

When I was studying Early Childhood Education, I watched video of several studies about how TEACHERS favor attractive children over less handsome children. It's sad, but true.

[paulwhite]

Also, if someone attractive flirts with someone else, it's rarely seen as sexual harassment. There actually was a study about this years ago, and I wish I could find it, but it concluded that unattractive people are disproportionately accused of sexual harassment.

[bobshenix]

The answer is obviously yes.  *The real question goes more like:  "is this advantage going to be used to justify some government program created in the name of pursuing this mythical ideal of across-the-board equality??"*  Some people are born with better genes than others, good looks is only one of those traits some people luck out with.... it's called life.  Life isn't always 100% fair.  Should we be taxing attractive people??

[RLSteve]

One big difference between the Greeks and the Romans -- while the Greeks glorified youth and beauty, the Romans glorified age and wrinkles. With age came wisdom.

[Cooperal]

I must say that the answer is without a doubt a yes. In the case for males at least however, it can very easily go to waste if you're not a dominant speaker.
I've learned a lot about charisma over the last few years and I now have plenty of opportunities and responsibilities thrown at me before my peers which is great. But in the past where I was secure about very little besides my appearance, there seemed to be a reversal where I'd miss out on all of the perks yet still had that group of "haters" who thought that I had it easy because they were unable to observe much about me beyond the surface level. I had no idea how to stop all of my doors from closing.
I would expect some females can resonate with this too, but this is certainly a thing for men.

[xodius]

depends on the attitude.


I have a shop, where lots of people come in, from good looking, to not to graceful, both kind of people that give me the shitty attitude i generously give them the same treatment, Granted, its my shop, but at the end its the attitude that counts for me, when i treat them with a great service.


And of course being the owner i am the one that give the first step in being kind and cheerful.


And for me i usually get treated better when i go shopping around. I sometimes think is because they think am goodlooking so that equals to having money LOL.

[mirandamae]

Oh definitely. I know when I don't wear makeup and wear sweats to the store people will barely make eye contact with me. If I wear makeup and a nice outfit or even just form fitting casual wear both men and women are much more accommodating and will often smile at me and make small talk or go out of their way to help me with stuff.

[InvisiMan]

Of course they do, why shouldn't they? They have an evolutionary advantage and our brains are attracted to attractive people.

[Whatever]

Pretty people privilege, of course they do.
In all seriousness, i would say the privilege attractive people enjoy far outweighs almost all other social privileges claimed.

[EmoEmu]

Beautiful people do have many benefits, but they also get prejudice. Some people will assume they are dolts or resent them for being prettier. Even so any negatives they might get seem to pale compared to life as a fat person. I see them get treated worse in a day than the collective resentments a really pretty person can gather in a week.

[wishingWL]

yes they do. Being good looking it's an incredible advantage in life.

[ciel]

Good looks is not everything, but it can definitely open CERTAIN DOORS IN LIFE FOR YOU.
With good looks you must have a GOOD PERSONALITY, otherwise the good looks is nothing. I am a good looking guy but I also have a good heart, so yes there are certain doors in my life that open easily for me I can't denied that , but the good person that I am shine more and that's what I want people to see first.

[LunaticThinker]

Next video : Is the moon really not made of cheese? Let's find out.

[genestarwind]

Duh? 

There have been studies on this topic.  Your looks are the #1 contributing factor in the amount of money you make.

[MANMARTRE]

When one is good looking you have to work twice as hard and be twice as knowledgable to show people that you are not just a pretty face..also people with lighter colored hair are taken less seriously, for example David will have to be more knowledgeable that Louis to be considered his equal...Blondes do have the hardest time, people tend to think they are all ditzy air heads...despite degrees, intellignce levels and profession. Same rule applies to clothing colors, wear black/navy/dark gray and people will take you more seriously than in a tan/light blue, pastel gray suit...

[kdub]

Of course. For example, I myself happen to be absolutely stunningly beautiful, but I am just a horrible, horrible person. And yet it seems that all the good things in life effortlessly flow my way. My life is such a joy that I regret having to sleep, because I'm missing out on those hours of bliss.

[TheItalianTrash]

Are Sophia Vergara and Megan Fox talented actresses? Nope!