Handsome is as Handsome does

Remember when you read "Billy Budd" by Hermann Melville? Craggart had a sexual attraction towards Billy and was so envious of Billy's good looks and easy-come-by good fortunes that he asserted, "Handsome is as handsome does."

Well, it is still true today.

If you are a good-looking person (male or female), consistently society will treat you with the utmost respect and admiration. Often you will even receive things for free, and you will be more easily forgiven for misdeeds, and in some cases, even excused from physical labor and other monotonous, harsh duties such as housechores so you can maintain your level of beauty.

For example, those who possess physical beauty are frequently granted promotions in the workplace over those less physically endowed. People are more polite towards those who are pretty or handsome. Doors are held opened for, and chairs are pulled out to seat them. They are sent invites to parties and clubs even if they don't belong to them.

Attractiveness becomes a type of gold card entry into the good ol' boys and girls clubs of affluence and class. It automatically grants the "beautiful or handsome one" power over those who are deemed less attractive, and those considered "ugly".

It is no wonder society has become so look-obsessed that eating disorders are on the rise astronomically, cosmetic surgeries and dermatologic procedures such as lunchtime in-office facelifts, dermabrasions, and botox have increased a million-fold since the 1980's.

Where and when do one's character and moral fiber come into play these days?

Here are two blogs which also address the (misplaced) emphasis of physical beauty in society:

Kennedy James' "Hey! I Want To Be Miss America..."

Sweetrose1962's "So I Am Not Beautiful and Powerful..."