Pastilan! Living the dog-eat-dog world of a Global Pinoy!

The role of physical look in our interpersonal relationships is often misunderstood. The human tendency to judge the other person greatly depends on initial impression, so our perspective between beauty and traits seems to be confusing at times. I’ve heard it all the time, what matters most is the beauty within. Or is it, really?

In a life of a “single” person, meeting the opposite sex may neither be exhilarating or may not be a very rewarding exploit. It depends on who is talking. But to those who are gifted with good looks, something that may just be elusive from others, they’d pick the former without batting an eyelash.

So you’d say physical looks do not carry that much bearing. I agree but how about the rest of the acquaintances we deal everyday? Would we say the same? I doubt it. Isn’t it true that our treatment to a person would vary and greatly depend on his or her physical look? If you see a punk-looking dirty ragged guy in a bank, do you expect the rest of the staff to see him as a filthy rich customer? The issue at case is the initial impression.

I think to say that what is inside is more important than beauty makes it an inch away from lip service and double speak. This is only applicable to people who would have the chance to get to know the other person well before someone can honestly declare “what is beauty if the mind is empty.”

If good looks were not the measure of getting attention, cosmetics, plastic surgeons and signature clothes and shoes would close shops. Then the showbiz would no longer include “star appeal” as equally valuable criteria in making a star. Then the media through our becoming distasteful ordinary entertainment will no longer spoof and portray persons who look stupid and dork in demeaning situations.

We began our judgment not after but during meeting the person. Judgment and validation occurs, most of the time, at the first encounter - during the crucial first impression. This is the reason why many have mistakenly misconstrued a lot of people.

How many times have we passed judgment on a certain person because of the physical attributes? I’ve heard it a hundred times, she “looks” mean or he just “seem” to be an airhead or a jerk. Constantly, we have heard people say that she looks like an angel only to find out she’s hellish than hell afterwards and vice versa.

If you look into the “Top 10 List of Man’s Stupid Outlook”, this pre-judgmental attitude using the physical look as the basis should be up that list occupying the top 3 position.

I admit that this happens to many, not only to those “nobles” of our society including the wannabes, but this pre-judgmental attitude may be something we are all familiar. I am far from being able to understand why.

For now, I just let my self get contented with the fact that at the end of the day, at least, physical attractiveness is just a component of the whole outlook of our personality.