The premium on beauty
moneyrelations :: Jan.03.2008
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I’m dragging my sorry butt back to work today after the Christmas holidays. I’m tired but you have to put your best face forward because apparently, it means something.
We all know that good looking people get the breaks. I know that I get free loyalty stamps at the local sandwich store because the guy behind the counter likes me. But my winning smile still can’t convey the message that what I really want is just extra cheese. Crap.
Were you hit with the ugly stick?
So other than scamming for free food and drinks, did you ever wonder how far your looks play in your career?
As explained in an Economist article, with all things factors accounted for, people rated “ugly” earn less income than “beautiful” people.
In a series of surveys done by economist Dr Hamermesh over a decade ago, here’s what he found in Canada and the United States:
The ugliness “penalty” for men was -9% while the beauty premium was +5%. For women, perhaps surprisingly considering popular prejudices about the sexes, the effect was less: the ugliness penalty was -6% while the beauty premium was +4%.
He then went on the ugly patrol in other countries:
In China, ugliness is penalized more in women, but beauty is more rewarded. The figures for men in Shanghai are –25% and +3%; for women they are –31% and +10%. In Britain, ugly men do worse than ugly women (-18% as against -11%) but the beauty premium is the same for both (and only +1%).
The article also states that beautiful people give off intellectual cues. They are also given more chances at networking and opportunities for advancement.
All things considered, it was an ugly article for the less genetically gifted.
While looking respectable is important, I don’t think being beautiful is all that it’s cracked up to be. Don’t get me wrong, it definitely helps. But the upkeep of beauty products, clothes and shoes is expensive. And the more you gussy up, the more the co-workers snicker behind your back at how shallow you are.
I also find that they are less approachable as well… to the woman two office cubicles in front of me, lay off the skunk spray!
Career ::
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Looks definitely have something to do with success. I don’t mean beautiful versus ugly. What about sweet, kind versus evil, and mean? Because as much as we are taught to be impartial by the HR people out there, if all things being equal and I have to choose I’d to work day in and day out with someone who is kind looking than someone who always has a grim face on.
I’m afraid I am ONE with the ugly stick. But I appear smart due to glasses and a serious haircut, and make-up and a good wardrobe can make a big difference. Plus I’m totally hilarious (no, really) and nice…except when I get pissed off. Then I’m sarcastic and hilarious, but never behind your back. Always to your face. I hate back stabbing. It’s the worst.
I think I got off the subject. What was the question again? Darn these drugs!
@ Esme and Karen
Good point about one’s attitude and outlook. Some people just glow with their positive vibes. And I think Karen is right. Makeovers can do wonders
I seriously don’t think anyone is “ugly”. People just need to be styled right and accentuate the positives.
And Karen, if you’re at ONE with the stick, does that mean you’ve climbed back on the bandwagon for the New Year’s diet?
Looks may help.
But, I think our level of self confidence and self esteem will help a lot more.
So if we know we are doing good, it will start to show in us…the inner glow so to speak.
Hi fathersez,
Also very true… your confidence and the way you carry yourself.
But can one say that you acquire confidence and self esteem because of your looks?
To be sure, one can go overboard and self obsess to a point where it’s counteractive.
Seriously, we know all this and we can say looks matter but not to a huge extent. However, as the study shows, are we giving it lip service or subconsciously, we do discriminate? I mean, we want the total package, right?
I am at one with my pudge too. So really, I’m a chubby girl with smart glasses and a good haircut, who watches ‘What Not To Wear’ and has actually managed to learn how to dress. I know people do want the whole package, but there just aren’t that many people who actually have it. The ones who do, who got the great genes, the education, the looks, the body…I’m a little jealous, but after 42 years in mine, I’ve realized that I’m happy, healthy, well loved by my husband and family, intelligent, well educated and great at whatever I want to do. Somehow it makes the chub seem unimportant, and while what you look like makes the first impression, what you ARE like makes the lasting one!
Heck Karen, after listing all those qualities, you ARE the complete package
Katie…
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