The Power of a Woman!
Ha, I bet you all wonder what this post is about, huh! It’s not running related so if you are in a hurry you don’t need to linger.
I was walking by the small breakroom that we have at work and the 5 male coworkers were discussing of all things, “Whether a good-looking woman has more persuasive power over a man, than one that isn’t?” I don’t know how a bunch of electrical engineers got started on that, or what their parameters were, e.g. how do you define who is good-looking, what they meant by “persuasive power” etc. – but they seemed to be pretty spirited in their discussion. I got my cup of coffee and moved on, but of course I’ve been thinking about it ever since.
I know at work if the secretary (the only woman in our section) came and asked me to help her I would do it in a heartbeat, but not just because she is blond and pretty (and reads my blog), but rather because she is a good friend of my wife and I. I have been in meetings and discussions with a good mixed group and I don’t feel that my mind was changed because anyone looked better than anyone else.
I do freely admit that I would probably react faster if a woman asked me for help, as compared to a man – is this being sexist? I think I’m just old fashioned - I mean I still open doors and give up my seat on a crowded tram/bus and am more thoughtful of what I say around women - but this was just the way I was raised.
What do you guys think, does a “good-looking” (insert your own interpretation of this) person have more persuasive power over the opposite sex?
p.s. I asked our secretary, she said “Yes, definitely!” hmmm…
Comments
I cannot replay because my wife reads my blog!
Posted by: stefano | August 11, 2006 4:18 PM
I think a good-looking person of either gender has more persuasvive power over the opposite sex than someone who maybe is average or not as attractive.
Posted by: Jessica | August 11, 2006 7:28 PM
I would give up my seat to a frail looking man, but not a fit one. I would give up my seat to a frail looking, tired looking, or pregnant women but not a fit one. I would give help to a man or woman if they were asking for help. I would offer to help a woman who looked like she needed it, but perhaps not a man unless he asked (or unless I knew him well enough to know how he would take it). I guess I wouldn't want him to think that I didn't think he could handle it.
Posted by: Juls | August 11, 2006 8:41 PM
I had a "friend" who drove a Beetle, when the headlight went, she took a regular light bulb into the mechanic and told him she couldn't make it fit. He got the correct bulb and fitted it for her ... no labour costs.
Female power or damsel in distress?
Posted by: ali | August 12, 2006 3:09 AM
I had to look up persuasive in a dictionary:) I'd have to agree - not for personal beliefs, but for truth of life, or so it seems.
And there is nothing wrong with being old-fashioned. I'd like more of us all be this way.
Posted by: olga | August 12, 2006 3:20 AM
I've seen interesting "studies" done on this. Making someone ugly or fat and seeing peoples reactions. We are a cruel society--we definitely value youth, beauty and thinness! Sad but true.
Posted by: Lora | August 12, 2006 11:38 AM
I asked my sister for a recommendation for a building inspector to do the inspection on our house. She asked coworkers and they all came up with Greg Brown (not his real name, ofcourse). My real estate agent said, "Oh yes! Greg is the BEST!". So we schedule Greg to come inspect the house. Well, he gave the most cursory inspection I had ever seen. Completely missed that the front door lock didn't even work, and never checked on electrical outlet, or even bothered to see that the toilets flushed.
So why did they all recommend him? Well, 1) Greg is 30 and looks like he popped out of a magazine, and 2)ALL the recomendations came from women.
So, no, I do not think for one minute that attractiveness give anyone any kind of influence.
Posted by: Jon in Michigan | August 12, 2006 12:38 PM
yup. i agree w/what jessica said.
Posted by: brent | August 12, 2006 7:20 PM
this is going to sound like b.s., but i think i go out of my way to help people that might not be considered attractive by most. my sense is that they are treated like they are less than the more attractive folks....and i just want them to know that they are just as special. just my take on it.
Posted by: matt | August 13, 2006 4:09 AM