What's wrong with being beautiful?

Guest post from Douggie Dunn:

None of us are born perfect. Most of us have come to accept this. Not as justification for our imperfections, nor as a way to make those who seem so sculpted more human to reassure ourselves. Granted, many of us do use it for those purposes, but it has a stronger meaning. It means that we know ourselves. No one person is going to be more critical of your own flaws than you. Sure, the world has plenty of douchebags out there who might toss around a meaningless insult or harsh criticism or two your way, but in the end it's you who looks in that mirror. It's you who puts on those silly metaphorical shoes and walks down that allegorical road. That's why you want plastic surgery.

Bit forward of me? A tad accusatory? Perhaps not. A recent survey in Korea asked women around the ages of 20 to 30 if they would get some form of beauty enhancement surgery if it was financially possible. 98% of them said yes. Out of 1800 women asked, 46% had already had it. Korea of course is well known to be the plastic surgery capital of the modern world, but how much does that change? Perhaps they are just the most honest.

Most changes would actually be pretty minor. A slightly straighter nose, or maybe some work around the eyes. Perhaps slightly fuller lips. These things are so trivial, does wanting such tiny change make us that much more... uncomfortable with ourselves? Well, I think it's quite the opposite. If all you want is a small change, it shows that you think you're already there. How many guys think to themselves “Oh, I would get all the girls if I just had blue eyes.”? This says that that guy is thinking he's fine everywhere else, he's comfortable with what he's got, it's just the eyes that keeps him from being irresistible. Most guys don't care about irresistible, if he gets that one girl who likes  his brown eyes, he's got that one girl who gets him.

So if everyone wants it, and it's just a little holding us back, what's with the stigma? What's wrong with getting a change that will make you feel good and look better? Why do we look at someone with implants, call them fake and hiss at them? Jealousy? I don't think so. Scorn them for being being comfortable in their own skin? A little closer, maybe. It's generally taken for granted, especially in Asian culture, that celebrities will be enhanced. Yet we let that slide, and bat our eyes at screens and magazines anyway. It's generally accepted that anyone stationary has been photoshopped, and that's only a step away from a heavy application of makeup really. And that's only a step away from a light amount of makeup, which is a step away from plucking eyebrows, and shaving legs and... putting on a nice outfit. All of that changes what's really us.

Am I being drastic here? Do I preach that we should all go naked amongst the crowds? Hardly. Even Taiwan has it's typhoons. I think I'm leaning more towards “Don't be so critical.” and here, that goes two ways. We can't help but judge people on their appearance, it's one of our most animalistic traits. Still, it doesn't hurt to be more accepting. It also doesn't hurt to be more understanding. We all love our beautiful celebrities, and we need them. But all the same, there is the line drawn between the real world and the escape world. Just like with video games, one has to understand that some things aren't real, and getting a nose job will not short list you for being rich and famous. If your friend gets something “fixed” then be supportive, but don't feel you need to get it to be beautiful. Keep in mind that as a girl, it's really not that hard to pick up a guy and get a compliment. Finding that right guy is a hunt that needs a lot more than good looks. Also consider if you want to have children, what happens when the child doesn't look like you? If someone says your baby has your nose, and it's not your nose, eyebrows will always be raised.

And for good measure, I won't forget to remind you that eating right and exercising regularly etc...