Reply to Can you tell if a woman from another race/ethnicity is ugly?

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[quote=Anonymous]I think OP's question is an interesting one.  Ultimately, it boils down to the eye of the beholder, as attractiveness always does.  But, when you are talking about ethnic groups, the "beholder" is the culture you represent.  Cultures tend to have relatively unified ideas of attractiveness that only sometimes, but not always, transfer to other cultures.  For example, DH is taking Chinese lessons.  His tutor, a Chinese lady, likes to discuss various cultural differences.  Relative attractiveness is something she always comes back to in their talks.  She says that our (American) concept of what's beautiful in a Chinese person is completely unattractive to Chinese.  Our Chinese beauties would be considered average or ugly in China.  She points to facial characteristics that we like versus what they like.  A concrete example is Lucy Lu.  I think she's beautiful and I am going out on a limb here to say that most Americans think she's beautiful.  DH's tutor - no way.  Ugly in China.

Also, Michelle Obama.  I think she's an attractive woman.  DH's tutor - no way.  Ugly in China.  She can't evaluate black women as attractive and she says it's a Chinese thing.  Now, whether it really is a Chinese thing or not, who knows. But, I have heard elsewhere something similar.

I should have DH ask her about Halle Berry.  If she thinks that Halle Berry is unattractive, I just don't know what to say.

My point is not to pick on Chinese ladies, Michelle Obama, or Lucy Lu.  My point is that different cultures can have different views of beauty and it's hard to evaluate whether someone is attractive in the context of a different culture.[/quote]

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