What is beauty to you?

[Bini]

And I'm not referring to one's inner beauty but outer beauty.


I started thinking about this after watching NatGeo's Taboo "Body Perfect". This particular episode was based on the question of: How far would you go to match your culture's ideal of beauty? It was interesting to see how different cultures perceive beauty. Some of which are perhaps overlooked. One example being western culture putting braces on their youth for straighter and more attractive teeth. Another, at least in Asia, women with dark skin tend to be less desirable. The lighter and the whiter you are - the better. I felt this pressure growing up overseas but once I moved to the US, it seemed that everyone wanted a tan. Then you get cultures that adore MORE of you, literally. The larger you are, the more beautiful you are. For some of us, this might be a hard concept to grasp because in our society, thin is in.


So. What makes a person beautiful in your eyes? Is your idea of physical beauty influenced by cultural background, the media or both? How far have you gone to "match" your culture's ideal of beauty? Maybe it's something so common you don't even realise?

[BenRaines]

Personally I don't worry about what anyone else thinks. I do it for me. If it makes me feel good, if i feel I look better for it then I do it.

Workout hard, have a nice tan. Shaved head. Those things. I dress nice but I do that for me not for anyone else.

Ben Raines

[Dravin]

Is your idea of physical beauty influenced by cultural background, the media or both?

The media is a significant part of culture, I'm not sure, at least in the US, that they can be separated.

How far have you gone to "match" your culture's ideal of beauty?

I lost ~120 lbs. Now it isn't solely vanity, there is something to be said for not being massively overweight even when you ignore such, but vanity did and still does play a significant role in my weight loss. I'm also embarrassed by my chipped teeth, you probably wouldn't notice in most interactions with me but I do every time I brush my teeth and if effects how I smile (I tend towards minimal tooth being shown). I will probably at some point get them repaired.

[ryanh]

Originally Posted by Bini

Then you get cultures that adore MORE of you, literally. The larger you are, the more beautiful you are.

Mataba is maganda! Couldn't fully grasp that one because of the culture that I grew up in.

In short, symmetry of features.

[Traveler]

Originally Posted by Bini

And I'm not referring to one's inner beauty but outer beauty.


I started thinking about this after watching NatGeo's Taboo "Body Perfect". This particular episode was based on the question of: How far would you go to match your culture's ideal of beauty? It was interesting to see how different cultures perceive beauty. Some of which are perhaps overlooked. One example being western culture putting braces on their youth for straighter and more attractive teeth. Another, at least in Asia, women with dark skin tend to be less desirable. The lighter and the whiter you are - the better. I felt this pressure growing up overseas but once I moved to the US, it seemed that everyone wanted a tan. Then you get cultures that adore MORE of you, literally. The larger you are, the more beautiful you are. For some of us, this might be a hard concept to grasp because in our society, thin is in.


So. What makes a person beautiful in your eyes? Is your idea of physical beauty influenced by cultural background, the media or both? How far have you gone to "match" your culture's ideal of beauty? Maybe it's something so common you don't even realise?

Without question in all my travels Asian people are without question the most beautiful - I also believe they are about the most interesting people on the planet. Sadly I think Americans are the ugliest – including myself and excluding my wife.

The Traveler

[Vort]

Originally Posted by Traveler

Sadly I think Americans are the ugliest – including myself and excluding my wife.

Wow. I'm disappointed to hear that, Traveler.

Imagine the disgust that would be generated by someone offering the opinion, "I think that Nigerians (or Mexicans, or Greeks, or Mongolians) are the ugliest people in the world." Is there a person on this list that would not be appalled at such a proclamation?

Sometimes, it's better to keep your opinions to yourself -- as I keep having to relearn.

In any case, I certainly won't be volunteering my own dear, beloved, and thoroughly American family up for your viewing judgment. Nor do I care to hear your opinions about the appearance of our Church's general leadership, surely some of the most beautiful (in any meaningful sense) people on the earth, and the great majority of whom are Americans.

[prisonchaplain]

Maybe insteading of changing how I look to fit my culture, I should shop around for a culture that value's my look? Aye, but what happens when I reach the end of life's journey and realize no such society exists??? :::sigh:::

[deseretgov]

Originally Posted by Traveler

Without question in all my travels Asian people are without question the most beautiful - I also believe they are about the most interesting people on the planet. Sadly I think Americans are the ugliest – including myself and excluding my wife.

The Traveler

I have to agree with that.

But personally I think mixes tend to be the most attractive.

[hordak]

Originally Posted by Traveler

Without question in all my travels Asian people are without question the most beautiful - I also believe they are about the most interesting people on the planet. Sadly I think Americans are the ugliest – including myself and excluding my wife.

The Traveler

Like this
or this

or this

or this

or this

or

Your comparing an broad ethnicity to a county. A county that is made up of every ethnicity there is.
Americans are as different Noureen DeWulf and Kim Bassinger. Eva Longoria to Lucy Lui or Pam Grier.
What makes American ugly?

[Maxel]

I got braces while I was younger (and THANK GOODNESS, because my teeth were horrible crooked beforehand...), and when I'm at a better place in life I'll be working out every day. I've never cared much about having a good tan, but I go into the sun enough to avoid being a pasty white boy.

As far as my opinions on others' looks- I haven't travelled much. I find that much of the concept of beauty in America revolves around sexuality- even otherwise conservative girls can be seen sporting too-tight and too-revealing clothing, and guys are often seen wearing symbols of darkness or irreverence.

Personally, I think that beauty is found in dressing modestly and grooming neatly. People who take good care of their bodies, be they heavyset or thin, and who wear modest clothing are always more attractive than those who go to extremes.