Image Essay, Research Paper

Image

Would you rather be called good-looking or attractive? Is there a difference between a good looking and attractive person? To many probably not but I believe there’s a thin line that separates those two words. A person might be very good-looking yet not attractive. How is that possible one might ask? Well the answer is very simple; it all depends on the attitude and personality.

While working at Express I get a chance to observe people, their behavior and image and what role it plays in overall appearance. Let’s admit it we all judge people at one point or another. When you meet someone the first impression is solely based on looks. Some people look at the smile, some at the eyes, some at clothes, hair or height. Even if you don’t want to admit it we judge people on their appearance. Yet that impression is very superficial and short lasting. When you go home the thing that stands out most in your mind is not the physical appearance but the overall image and that includes the attitude. So even though in today’s society physical appearnace plays a significant role, it is the attitude that one projects which determines the overall image. So in order to distinguish the difference between good looks and attractivness we must see how both physical appearance and attitude effects each one of them.

So lets start with physical appearance. The make up you wear, the clothes, shape of your body, hair are all part of your appearnace. Looking at someone these are qualities we first perceive. Physical appearance plays a huge role in our society. It helps you in many ways. People treat you differently when you look good. Let’ s look at example.

Working at Express I’ve realized that image very imprtant in interaction between people. It both affects the costumer and the associate. A costumer who is nicely dressed, has his hair done has an advantage over a person who is not well put together. The sales person is more likely to approach the well groomed person becuase of the image she presents. Her look says ‘I know how to dress, I want to get some help, so come and help me’ I don’t personally agree with this but this is just human tendency to judge people on their outward appearance. The same thing goes for the associate. A costumer is more willingly to accept opinion from someone who has a good image rather than someone who doesn’t look professional. The look builds up the credibility but that’s when the attitude comes into picture. Because no matter how both the costumer and associate looks is the attitude is bad no one will benefit.

So how does attitude effect our impression of a person. Attitude is a way one acts, talks, carries oneself, and it also includes personality and inside. Anyone can look good with right make up, hair, clothes, but attitude makes the person charasmatic. Attitue is not as superficial and much long lasting than looks. Looks can easily deceive an eye but attitude shows the real person behind all the material and superficial things. I bet most of you have seen Jenny Jones or Ricky Lake show, that is about girls dressing too sexy and provocative. I don’t think there is anything wrong with dressing sexy but it’s not the clothes that ruin the whole image it’s the attitude. A lot of these girls are very pretty, have good bodies. The first impression when they come out is very good but as soon as they start yelling, fighting and swearing their whole good image is gone. The way they act make them very anattractive. People forget about their beauty- physical appearance and pay close attention to their attitudes.

To show that attitude influences our impression much more than looks imagine that it’s Friday night and you are going to a party. You walk in and right away your attention goes directly toward John, a tall, good-looking guy. Your first impression of him is based on his looks beacuse that’s what catches your attention right away. You start a conversation but as soon as he opens his mouth you want to walk away. He is very cocky, rude and vulgar. He has no personality and really bad attitude. So you end the conversation and talk to other people. Later on you meet Bob, an average looking guy but who has a great attitude. IT’s John’s good-looks that attracted you to him yet it’s Bob’s Attitude that made you spend the entire eveening with him. That night you won’t think about John’s good looks but Bob’s amazing personality.

From this example we see that attitude plays a much bigger role than good looks. Therefore we could easily say that good looking person has only a great physical appearance while an attractive person might have good looks but what makes him stand out from the crowd is his attitude. So which is better to be attractive or good-looking?

I think everyone can answer this question by themselves. So the next time you are judging someone wait to from your opinion about them until you see their true attitude because looks can deceive an eye. And please do me a favor don’t judge the book by its cover because you might miss out on someone very special.