Why do people value looks over character in every aspect of life?

[Anonymous]

For starters, this is NOT about dating or sex. I see this all the time in the professional world, as well as just in general life.

I can't help but notice that if you take two people, one who is conventionally attractive and one who is not, no matter how different they are in terms of moral values, personality, personal responsibility, etc., the more conventionally attractive one will ALWAYS be favored and receive more respect and better treatment for far less. It doesn't matter if they're not good people or not.

This is especially true if both are women, since people tend to tie a large percentage, if not the entirety, of a woman's value to her looks. Very little else about a woman matters to them.

You can take a conventionally attractive person who thinks everyone else is beneath them and treats them as such, lies, cheats, steals, seeks attention, manipulates, and has an unhealthy obsession with their appearance and image (something people seem to lap up, for whatever reason), and people will still look up to and respect them, and defend and make excuses for them any time anyone else sees through the BS and is critical of them.

On the other hand, you can take someone who is not conventionally attractive, yet tries to do the right thing and doesn't want to harm anyone, treats people with kindness and equality, and is overall a good member of society, and people have less respect for and will find anything to critique them over. It's like people perceive their kindness as weakness and prefer someone who treats them like shit.

Best case scenario, these two break even and get the same amount of respect, but the former doesn't earn it and never has to work as hard for it.

It really makes me lose faith in humanity that people are this superficial and couldn't care less about the things that matter. This also enables bad behavior, as long as the perpetrator is good looking enough, of course. 🙄

[KostasKouvalis]

My dad was talking about this earlier. He thinks attractive people are happier and seen as more trustworthy.

But I don't really know how to answer your question, but this meme is incredibly accurate. If you're not at least an 8, no matter how nice you are and how much effort you put in, you will never be good enough for a hot girl. Then some girls wonder why men settle for the girl they can get rather than the girl they want. But if you're a hot person you can get any partner you want.

[OneViewpoint]

Looks matter initially. It's the only thing you have to go on at first. But character and intelligence matter more over the long haul. At least for healthy mature adult personalities. Pick an idiot and win stupid prizes.

[jahaims]

Most people have no depth to them and would rather be mentally stimulated from an attractive person over a lot of other things

[moneymagnet24]

Because maam looks attract first character comes later on...

[Asker]

Even in platonic situations? I'm not referring to dating or sex. I'm referring to work and general interaction. I personally couldn't care less about how my colleagues, friends, or acquaintances look and have no idea why anyone would place such importance on that before anything else.

[moneymagnet24]

No in business who the fuckin care about look n character? But in relationship yes it's matter

[Asker]

And also, when the character does come later on and presents itself to be vile, people don't care as long as the person is conventionally attractive enough. They'll just defend and make excuses for them.

[moneymagnet24]

Ohk so what's your problem? You're not attractive? Lol

[Asker]

Even in strictly platonic relationships? The idea of looks being a top priority for selecting friends or choosing which acquaintances to interact with is so superficial. I have no idea why anyone would care so much about the appearance of someone they don't want a romantic or sexual relationship with.

[Asker]

No, I am just asking why people think like this because I fail to understand it. Whether or not I'm attractive is irrelevant.

[moneymagnet24]

No it's relevant

[Asker]

In what way, exactly? Would it make me deserving of poor treatment if I am? If so, that is more of a reflection of you than it is of me.

[Anonymous]

They don't. Looks are important in initial attraction, but character, personality and attitudes are more important in the long run.

[SmokinAces2000]

Humans are visual creatures