In response to Julia’s question, “Do you find people more attractive because of their looks or their personalities upon first impression? Most people make an initial impression of someone based on their looks. Do you agree or disagree with this? Why are looks, and not other qualities such as intelligence and compassion, most highly valued in our society?”

Unfortunately, I have to admit that I do base a lot of my first impression on looks but I also take into account personality….good looks don’t make up for being a jerk, at least for me. I like to think that nice looks are just an added bonus. If all you have are looks then you don’t have anything at all.

Again unfortunately, I have to agree with your statement that most people make an initial impression of someone based on their looks. Think about it how often to you see a really “attractive” person with a really not “attractive” person…umm, almost never. Honestly not only is it disappointing but it is sad that we don’t judge our first impressions and base our relationships off of different qualities other than looks.

I think a lot of it has to do with social pressures and pressures from the media. They are always portraying young, skinny, “good” looking people. And for those of us who may not be so good looking they have a solution, whether it’s a new cream, a new exercise, or a new procedure. There are always commercials on for acne creams or washes, like Proactive. Or a show about someone who finally got their happily ever after thanks to their Botox or liposuction procedure. 

Question:

What is your first impression when you see a young female with an elderly man or the opposite, a young male with an elderly woman??....Thanks to the media and stereotypes I bet most people think the younger person in the relationship is in it for the money. Do you agree or disagree??