Facism (no, I don't mean fascism)

When my hair fell out I was treated much differently to now (with my hair system fitted). Before, I was treated like an old lady, almost patted on the head, called 'dear' and asked how long I had been retired (I wasn't retired). Now I am treated much differently, because I look different (younger I suppose). I am still me though.

What JessM says is true, there is indeed a big mountain of evidence to show that attractive people [of both sexes] get on in life, get promotion, are listened to etc.This doesn't mean that dynamic people with a good work ethic [Alan Sugar?] can't get on in life, but that they have to work harder at it.Anyone with a facial disability is at a big disadvantage, be it birthmarks, squint, etc quite apart from the very plain.Personality may count...... but not as fast as looks.

I'm glad you've had such a positive experience, ffinochio.
I've heard Iain Hutchinson speak twice, and have to admit to being a bit of a fan

I agree janeainsworth. Sadly so, but it is a fact, although maybe a fleeting one.

I've had two melanomas on my face - one on the forehead and one on the brow of my right eye. Both primary and both contained. The one on my brow was of more concern, but the skill and consequent attention to the site post operation has been marvellous. Sometimes people ask if I've had a bump, because the area and my cheekbone are a little reddened and swollen. That's it. I've been very very lucky.

Following my experiences, I also support that charity.

I support the charity Saving Faces, www.savingfaces.co.uk.
Its founder Iain Hutchinson is a brilliant Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon who recognised the importance firstly of identifying what worked best surgically when rebuilding disfigured faces; and secondly the support people need to overcome the terrible disadvantage of facial disfigurement.

He appeared in a television film in which one of his patients, a young Spanish girl whose upper lip and nose had been destroyed by an untreated dental abscess, was filmed walking down a busy London street. People deliberately turned and wallked away from her.

It's no use pretending that appearance doesn't matter, and that people don't judge by appearance.

The difficulty with these tests of responses to faces, is that they only show faces whereas in real life the face is seen in context of how people dress, carry themselves, how lively they appearetc. Our first impressions of people are not based on one facet alone, it is a multi-factorial decision.

What jingle said 19/12/13 sums up my feelings exactly .
I have no need to add any more !!

No more so than the aboriginal people. Did anyone see the John Pilger programme last night. Words fail me.

It's quite often down to symmetry I think. Perhaps we percieve something to be 'safe' if it is as close to the norm as is possible.

Or maybe even quite a big mountain.

There is a small mountain of psychological experiments that indicate it is advantageous in all kinds of ways to be more conventionally attractive.

Didn't they do an experiment with babies and it was found that they were drawn more to pretty people?

I think character traits show themselves in the face. If a woman is reasonably intelligent, happy in what she is doing in life, and has a caring and responsible attitude towards other people, then she will most likely do well in her chosen path in life. Not because she is good looking but because she is those things. A pleasant face, reflecting a pleasant personality, will always be a help.

What you are will show in your face.

Of course people are judged by their appearance – at the very least initially. However, this is undoubtedly a much more complex process than the attractive versus the unattractive Quite apart from the fact that there is no consensus on who looks attractive and who doesn't, all sorts of other issues come into play. A pretty blonde is just as likely to be disregarded as a bimbo because of her appearance as she is likely to be promoted, not to mention the fact that her brother is more likely to "get on in the world"because he is a man.

I do not think face in itself is a problem, it is the personality and mobility of the face, rather than the looks. The French have a phrase for it, La jolie laide, the pretty ugly one. I have known women and men who are not conventionally pretty/handsome but whose zest for life so pulsates through them to other people that there looks do not come into it.

Similarly I have known pretty/handsome people whose mind behind the looks is so dull and so blank that it drains all life out of their faces and those who see and draw near, very quickly wander off.