I've always been very aware of the fact that people treat me differently because of the way I look. I was wondering if it's the same for other people.
In my case, I have a total baby face. People are extra nice to me because of it, even before they know me. This is because people with baby faces are assumed to be kinder and more innocent. At the same time, however, we're also assumed to be less intelligent and competent. So while people may be nice to me, they also tend to assume I'm stupid.
I spent a long time in spaces where I had to prove myself over and over again, because as much as the people liked me, they didn't respect me. They thought of me as comic relief, like a puppy. People would completely ignore any ideas I had on group projects. They'd do it "politely," without directly contradicting me, but their responses would make it clear that they were never listening in the first place.
Eventually I got sick of it and significantly reduced the number of people that I spend time with. My circle of friends became a lot smaller, but I was happier. Because the people that I spend time with now actually engage with my ideas. They don't just keep me around for hugs and silly games.
I'm also aware of the fact that men tend to find me attractive, and the way that they flirt with me is very different because of the fact that I look more "fragile" and "innocent." Even random strangers who see me from across the street are less likely to yell vulgarities, and more likely to come up to me and call me "beautiful" or "adorable." I get called "Sunshine" a lot by strangers. A friend of mine once told me that she wished the men she was interested in would talk to her the way strangers talk to me.
I can't go out in public by myself though. As much as I may try to look unapproachable, my resting face is mildly confused. Every time I go out, I end up stuck in a conversation with a man who thinks he can change my mind when I tell him I'm not interested.
What about you?
People tend to do things for me anyway, especially men. But when I was in college I was the president of an org, and we got so much more money from the student board when I represented us at the meetings than we ever did before, or after.
I'm a decent negotiator, but still. My face definitely helped.
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