Pretty privilege

No. It's what (many) people do.
There are accademic papers on it.
And the reverse.

Oh so that's why I get ignored!

My GD’s friend is the same only dark haired.
She has the sort of looks that people stare at.
She sadly attracts the men who are looking for eye candy and not a relationship.
Frogs instead of Princes.
I hope your D has better luck.

Surely it is her kindness that attracts people. I know of many less physically attractive people who attract similar attention. One is a very overweight youngster I volunteer with whose personality draws loads of people in her direction.

I've always noticed how I get immediate and excellent service anywhere I am with DD. She's very glamorous. Male staff fall over themselves to be helpful. It's actually comical at times.

Yes I think it does exist and I benefitted from it when I was young.

At 61, of course I’m invisible now 😂

Yes, I think it definitely does exist - but unlike Basgetti, I've never benefitted from it and have always been 'invisible' (or worse).

Tell her to make the most of it. Come 60 she will have to battle for attention like all of us!!!!

Another who never had this problem, I think some people do gravitate towards beauty, and obviously they must be chosen in the film/music industry before others who may be just as talented or moreso.
However, I imagine is a bitter pill to swallow for some as they age and despite their best efforts they can’t hold back the tide.
At least I don’t have to worry about that.

I think some people have a pleasing symmetry in their facial features which attracts - my daughter has always had it and even though she now carries extra weight it still applies.

I never had it but recently found that as I’ve aged matured, my face seems more balanced…perhaps not so cockeyed😜!

DD2 has 2 notable features - she’s drop dead gorgeous and a wheelchair user. Visiting New York every year, she’s remembered in many places and people stop her to admire her looks, hair or outfit. Naturally, I’m ignored!

There was a tv program about this a few years ago where a stunning young lady had a face prosthesis made to make her look plain to show the different attitudes/experiences of having a pretty face. The young lady couldn't believe just how different she was treated in the different scenarios she'd been deliberately placed in. It was an eye opener for her she said it was something that she'd never considered, that her looks gave her an easier life than someone not so lucky and how fickle people were. As an ugly mug, I've had experience of this when out with an attractive friend. Being on the sidelines and completely ignored.

I think it's true.

My DD are very good looking and so is DS.

None of them take after me; I've had a couple of adverse comments about my plain looks (well, rude) in my life which stung at the time but I don't care any more.

However, I imagine is a bitter pill to swallow for some as they age and despite their best efforts they can’t hold back the tide.
I think someone with good bone structure and symmetrical features would be more likely to 'age gracefully'.

It's a very interesting discussion isn't it

Biscuitmuncher

It's a very interesting discussion isn't it

Indeed it is.

It's very interesting how people react to others depending on their appearance ( it's not just physical looks, but also how people present themselves - sartorial style, their manner). I’m not the most handsome chap going (my wife would disagree though) so I make sure I'm as presentable and well-mannered as possible to give myself the best chance of being treated well. The plan has worked so far.

In an ideal world, we would be treated as equal human beings regardless of appearance. Unfortunately the reality is very different.

Pretty privilege is also prevalent within certain ethnic or racial groups, but it's known as colourism. Those with lighter skin tones tend to be treated differently than those with darker skin tones - they're perceived to be more attractive, of a higher status etc. In fact, it's so deeply rooted in India, for example, that the skin-lightening products industry is absolutely massive with billions of Rupees being spent every year. Attitudes are slowly changing but it's hard work.

Indeed BoggledMind, and this was brutally revealed in Wallace Thurman’s classic ‘The Blacker The Berry’.
We only encountered it when one of our DDs befriended a lovely Chinese girl who was beautiful but it was her pale skin that she said had made her a favourite with her family who paid to send her to private school and university over here, but her darker skinned sister had to stay at home and help with the family business.
Very upsetting for her sister I would imagine unless she just accepted it as her lot which is almost worse.

I think as we get older we can compensate for maybe not having classic good looks by having a friendly manner, making eye contact with people, and most importantly smiling at them 😊
That will draw people to you and encourage them to help you.

Fallingstar

Indeed BoggledMind, and this was brutally revealed in Wallace Thurman’s classic ‘The Blacker The Berry’.
We only encountered it when one of our DDs befriended a lovely Chinese girl who was beautiful but it was her pale skin that she said had made her a favourite with her family who paid to send her to private school and university over here, but her darker skinned sister had to stay at home and help with the family business.
Very upsetting for her sister I would imagine unless she just accepted it as her lot which is almost worse.

Thanks for the tip about the book, I shall look out for it.

That's awful regarding the sisters, but sadly not entirely a surprise.

Oh, it absolutely exists! Right from an early age, children are attracted to the 'pretty' child and want to be their friend. Extra treats and compliments are given by strangers. Haven't we all stopped to admire a very cute toddler and had a positive interaction?

That attractive child grows more confident and outgoing because of the interactions, and is often the first one chosen for teams, group efforts. They grow with the pretty privilege, mostly without realizing it. There may be the odd one that will take advantage of it, but many grow up confident and popular.

I remember once, having won a wine tasting and tour at an upscale winery, I went with an attractive friend. Right from the start, the representative from the winery assumed my friend was the lucky one, and spent the whole tour directing conversation towards her, (even though she did correct him), she was served first at lunch, etc. While not unattractive, I am very average, and perhaps used to being part of the background.

Certainly never a looker, but never invisible - still

Aveline

I've always noticed how I get immediate and excellent service anywhere I am with DD. She's very glamorous. Male staff fall over themselves to be helpful. It's actually comical at times.

Thats why I’m happy to shop with DGD.

Being average in the looks department, I have a DD and DGD who are both stunning! On our regular outings they definitely get much more attention than little old me! I tend to just fade into the background. Mostly I’m quite happy with this as I’m not comfortable being centre of attention, other times it can be very annoying! Very proud of my lovely girls nonetheless.

People with high cheekbones, like Romilly Weeks, will never have sagging jowls. They will never age.
I think people with fuller cheeks, age faster.
Those are my pearls of wisdom for the day ..

Yes. Beauty whispers power.