Anonymous wrote:Seriously, I think some of these "above average" women are making pretty big leaps to assume that their problems stem from their beauty. It seems like it's offered as an excuse for other failures: I didn't get promoted earlier because I'm too pretty; I don't make friends easily because they think I give off a standoffish vibe but it's really because I'm too pretty; my male colleagues don't take me seriously because I'm too pretty (because this has never been an issue for an average woman, right?).
I've worked with some BEAUTIFUL women and unless there was something else going on (e.g., overly flirtatious behavior, inappropriate dress, arrogant) I didn't see the sort of "too pretty" hazards being described. That said, when the average looking girl pulls the same stuff (too flirty, clothes too tight, arrogance) she runs into the same problems - but doesn't turn around and blame it on her good looks.
I agree with this. I'd consider myself an above average women and I've never had a problem with other women or at work. I personally think it's because I don't think about my looks all that much and that's not who I am. I'm smart, funny, warm, friendly, and highly competent. And I think that's what I project to other people.
This reminds me of a roommate I had in my early 20s who used to go to work everyday as a legal assistant dressed to the nines, made up perfectly, dyed blond hair, etc. She was a good looking girl and she was into it. Great. But then a partner asked her to dinner. And she went and she was just shocked when he hit on her. I wasn't shocked at all. That's the energy she was putting out there.