Can cosmetic surgergy help your career?, by Liz Wolgemuth

[joel123]

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Insurance/InsureYourHealth/CanCosmeticSurgeryHelpYourCareer.aspx



"Even in the workplace, looks matter, studies show. More Americans are going under the knife to move up the corporate ladder -- and it might be a good investment."

[JoeBoo]

Wow, this could be a hot one!
I think this is natural, even with all the "unnatural" cosmetic surgery going on. The article says we're likely to treat more attractive people differently. What do we see in attractive people? -- The will to succeed, a definite mindfullness of appearance that transcends genetics, confidence, etc. We see all the above, and we're attracted to it.
I finally lost my guilt for being attracted mainly to slender women. Not skin and bones, but TRIM. Why? Because of the above. It's natural, and I finally gave myself permission to ACT NATURALLY. But I know this isn't the end-all-be-all of attraction. I'm also attracted to powerful women, whatever their size.

[ochati]

Enjoyed your comments Joeboo. I find this an interesting topic as well. My impression is we project on to attractive, healthy people a lot of our evolutionary assumptions about vitality and strength...ability to survive. Another interesting aspect of all this is how "beauty" & "attractiveness" change over time, in other words what is considered desirable changes almost as a fashion.

As for cosmetic surgery to get a head in business, I guess its a sad reality.

[cz111]

Cosmetic surgery has become safer and more affordable. I've had a couple things done and have no regrets, in fact quite the opposite. Its like anything, some people can get carried away. But it can aid in self-confidence and as we are learning people sub-consciously perceive people more favorably.

[raiden]

Man, what IS this crap??!! Is this how a village idiot becomes president, with a FACE LIFT?! Suddenly your supervisor also just happens to be the most "good looking" person on your floor of the building?! Has anyone ever heard of the notion that the best way to get rid of someone on the corporate ladder is to promote that person to a position they can't handle?
This is going down a BAD road, if you ask me!

[hoptoit]

I have mixed thoughts on this...look all these studies say physical appearance plays a role in our perception of others and how we view their "competence". Having said this take a look at our presidential candidates....Obama has big ears & McCain, well he's certainly no prize in the looks department. Thoughts?

[JoeBoo]

Hoptoit, you indeed open a complicated subject there. Historians believe that Abraham Lincoln would not have been elected president with the media that we have today. Apparently he had some disease that left his skull misshappen. Portraits were done of him only from a certain angle so this wasn't apparent.
If the candidates don't have the "looks", they each have other attributes that make them attractive.
1. Senator McCain certainly posseses the lantern jaw of his youth, but nothing else -- except that he's a war hero. Every time I think of McCain, I think of that status. Not enough to get him elected by MY vote, but nonetheless I have deep respect for him.

2. Senator Obama is young, probably more attractive (especially to young African-American women) -- but has a short resume. But he chants about "change", constantly. His is the "fresh face". It's all enough to get my vote - but has NOTHING to do with his looks!

In psychology we learn that physical attraction is the primary first impulse in human romance. We learn about the other attributes of a person later on.

Perhaps then, it's fair to say that looks aren't all there is to it.

[hoptoit]

Well put Joeboo. I can't help but be a rabble-rouser sometimes.

[JoeBoo]

Rabble-rousing is fair game when it comes to Prez hopefuls, hoptoit. I'm so analytical I don't do it as much, but raiden seems to make up for it! ;)

[gardenvariety]

A little side story. I went to have my teeth cleaned this past week. I have good teeth, don't drink coffee or red wine (much). The dental tech suggested I have my teeth "whiten". At that point I took the time to notice her teeth were glowing white. My teeth look perfectly fine, "normal". However I suspect she saw them as less than right.

I don't have anything against cosmetic surgery per se, I just hope we haven't lost our ability to look beyond the surface.

[duncan]

I've had the same experience at my dentist office. I guess naturally white teeth aren't white enough these days.

[paddleon]

I think the super white looks fake. Almost like they would glow in the dark.

paddleon...

[paddleon]

Got to think the plastic surgeons are having a pretty slow go of it these days.


paddleon...

[duncan]

Read an article just the other day where people continue to spend on cosmetic surgery, particularly to help them advance in the workplace. I guess anything to get ahead, stay ahead these days.

[gardenvariety]

I'm reading how this trend continues, despite the downturn. The competition is all the more fierce, with men in particular.