plastic surgery
...y be shocked at the revealing outfits that have been donned by members of today's society. In other words, one's perception of beauty is greatly influenced by the surrounding environment and the social groups to which he belongs. Yet, whatever one's perception of beauty, one thing is the same. This is that all have taken great pains about their appearance. Why are good appearances so important to people? People tend to make initial judgments by first impressions that are usually based on appearances to a great extent. These initial judgments are doubtlessly very important in many types of social, business, and other relationships. Moreover, it is much easier for an attractive person to be socially active. He or she is usually perceived as more pleasant, which makes it easier for him or her to approach others. Besides, some careers, such as models, actors or actresses, television anchors, and salespersons rely to a significant extent on their outward appearances. They must do their best to please the audience, draw attention, or make a sale. The following three experiments done by the television news magazine 20/20 illustrate the difference that appearances can have in one's everyday life, regardless of whether one is an actress, model, salesperson, or garbageman. In an experiment with third graders, after having been taught by two teachers varying only in attractiveness, the students consistently rated the more attractive teacher as smarter, more patient, more experienced and more knowledgeable. Right now, readers may be thinking, “Such shallow behavior is to be expected of a third grader. Grown-ups are mature and are not so arbitrary.” Yet, even when one grows up, this shallow behavior does not change. In a second experiment, two actors were hired to apply for a job. Both were equally competent, and similar in all manners except their appearances. The more attractive man was hired on the spot, while the less attractive applicant was very nearly ignored altogether. Even more definitive is the third and last experiment -- car problems. Two actresses were hired to pretend to have car problems. They both stood at the same place, at the same time of day, with the same problem. The more attractive actress had four men pull over in 10n minutes, while the less attractive actress did not receive help for over two hours. For those that are resolved to change their appearance, and wish to gain advantages such as those cited above, no amount of money is too great to expend, and no pain is too great to be endured. A vast array of services and products ranging in price from the economical to the exorbitant are available to cater to the demands of aspiring beauties. Procedures such as tanning, tattooing, plastic surgery, implants, body-piercing, liposuction are all available. Yet, it seems that some people are now placing an excessive amount of emphasis on their appearances, and are overdoing the changes. However, although appearances can get...