Most of us are guilty of changing our appearance on social media by using filters and other tricks in our apps. Everyone has always been conscious of how they look to others. People nowadays are most concerned with having clear skin and a perfect outfit. The classier and savage you look, the more fans and followers you get. But what exactly does an appearance mean, and how does it affect our daily lives?
When it comes to beauty standards, we are reminded of the South Korean people. They have influenced most countries' fashion and cosmetics, especially our country, the Philippines. We envy them every time we see how smooth their skin is, how impeccable their outfits are, or how young-looking they are, regardless of their age. They are also well-known for having plastic surgery, which is common for them but unusual for us. Therefore, concern about appearance is quite normal and understandable.
To establish a good connection with others, we always consider one's appearance. During a work interview, we need to make sure we look good and proper in front of our interviewer so that we can leave a good impression on them, and at the same time, it builds up our confidence. Attractive applicants have a better chance of securing employment and earning a higher income in other countries. Another instance is when a student attends his first day of school. He will meet new teachers and classmates, so he needs to ensure he is appropriately dressed. Children who are attractive are more popular among classmates and teachers. Teachers have higher expectations of good-looking children's work and give them higher grades. It simply shows that the power of appearance matters. It does not mean you should always be perfect and beautiful, instead just be yourself and show what you got.
We're all more self-conscious about our appearance than we'd like to acknowledge. When we post pictures online, of course, we always choose the best shots. Sometimes, we even use filters so we can look more beautiful than usual. Unfortunately, some people judge those who use filters, saying they are ugly who cannot live without using them. So, we should unpack the problems with the filter culture because people use them for some reason, and none of them are worthy of being judged. Also, wearing make-up and clothes showing too much skin is very common nowadays. Even though it is a trendy outfit, no matter how it perfectly fits them, every woman should still know their limits.
Sometimes, socioeconomic status is predicted through appearance. According to a new study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, you can usually identify if someone is rich or poor just by glancing at them. That means that people with money tend to live happier, less anxious lives than those struggling to make ends meet. Rich people appear to be more well-groomed and appealing, considering they live in a pleasant environment than those needy. However, in some cases, poor people dress better than rich people, possibly because they are afraid of being discriminated against by them.
Despite concern about appearance, there is still discrimination. It may appear unobjectionable in three scenarios. First, when discrimination is based on physical characteristics that are qualifications for a job being filled, such as when fashion models are chosen based on their appearance. Second, when discrimination is based on features of appearance that a candidate has decided to adopt, such as tattoos or hairstyles towards which customers, clients, or co-workers react unfavorably. Third, when discrimination happens in our personal lives, for example, in the choice of life partners. However, each of these forms of discrimination has the potential to be difficult, as they may reflect and reinforce sexist standards dictating how we should look, or involve racially prejudiced attractiveness ideals, or harm our desire to express ourselves.
Indeed, appearance matters. Our posture, haircut, wardrobe, and attitude all indicate a great deal about who we are. This nonverbal communication is effective in conveying information about who we are, how we interact with others, and how we feel about ourselves. It is not superficial. Whether we like it or not, people will judge us, and we judge ourselves based on our appearance. And it goes both ways. We feel happy when we know we look good. Before we impress everyone, we should not forget the value of ourselves. For the most part, no matter how beautiful we are on the outside, it's what's on the inside that counts.