Beauty in the Workplace

Friends, I've thought about this issue and rethought about it and then thought about it some more. Just trying to figure out what is really bothering me and why.

I'm still trying to figure this out, but I'm going to give you a couple of scenarios.

Scenario #1: The For-Profit World

I work for a flooring company (it's a family business). Seeing that I've never worked in an industry like this before, I've had to learn lots and learn it quickly. Much to my chagrin, looks make a difference. I cannot tell you how many times I gotten short or curt reactions from clients/customers via email. Sometimes, there are even downright rude messages. That is, until they meet me. All of a sudden, they're surprised by what I look like and they're noticeably nicer to me afterwards. 

Now, being the analytical person that I am, I shrugged it off the first couple of times as mere coincidence. But it has happened enough times now, where businessmen shake my hand look me up and down and smile-- pleasantly surprised that I'm the bitch behind the keyboard.

Here's my problem with that: I'm not actually a bitch behind the keyboard, but even if I was... whatever my physical appearance is should not impact how you treat a human being. Period. 

Scenario #2: The Non-Profit World

I recently had a meeting at my other job, which as you know, is in the non-profit sector. Largely, this industry is dominated by single 20-something females. The meeting I was at yesterday was with a 20-something male that our organization is interested in partnering with. Was he good-looking? Yes, which I noted (it's like noticing how blue and beautiful the sky is that day) and then moved on, not really thinking much about it. At least not until, women kept making comments about how good-looking he was. It really took me aback. Did his good looks make me want to work with him any more or less? Absolutely not. I'm more interested in if he can get the job done. Why? Because I'm here to work and to get a job done.

Here's my problem with this: A female colleague suggested that we could use his good looks to our advantage for our project. A handsome face amongst a sea of young ladies could do much to persuade them to get on board with us. Even the suggestion of something like that seems incredibly cheap and very uncomfortable.

Scenario #2 reminds me of my days working at Disneyland when a straight guy would hire in. A straight man in an entertainment department was like seeing a unicorn. They are so few and far between. The instantaneous rivalry that began amongst the females was legitimately appalling.

Here's my thing on that. Competition in that arena is immediately off-putting to me. You want to date him? Go ahead. You won't see me fighting to cast my name in there. If a guy is interested in dating a particular girl, that's great but there's no need for there to be fawning and lots of blinking and such, especially when we're trying to work. If you've seen "He's Just Not That Into You," you know what I mean. And if you haven't, I recommend watching it and taking notes.

All of this to say, I understand that attraction is natural and it happens, but I think it's important that we don't let our work get convoluted with it. And it makes me sad that people aren't just nice to be people, merely because they are human beings. Because as we all know, people matter.

I think our culture has gotten a little out of hand with its obsession with beauty. On one hand, I understand that it is what it is, but on the other hand, I just feel like there should be people out there saying how crazy and out of control it is sometimes.

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting. I remind myself that all of the time. So much of our time is spent on temporary things, rather than on the things that really last like love, truth, and justice. 

Again, I'm still trying to figure how to navigate the waters in both the for-profit and non-profit worlds. But I will say this, I hope that my legacy is built upon more than just being a pretty face.