If You Don’t Think You Judge People On Looks, You’re Dead Wrong

Harrison Lee10 years ago

Here at TFM, it’s fairly commonplace for us to be accused of being sexist, disgusting, and objectifying women. We received some hate for ranking the hottest sororities, we have an “Instagram Babe of the Day,” etc. But let’s be realistic for a second about that argument — it’s a moot point because everyone judges everything, whether they want admit, or choose to realize it, or not.

Think about it for a second. There are so many dating/hookup apps out there nowadays that only solidify my point. Girls and guys are given a few pictures of a member of the opposite sex, or the same sex for some, and they swipe right or left based off on physical attraction alone. There is no personality on which to base their choice — just photos. Thus, they are judging someone solely based off their looks. Obviously, this issue isn’t limited to these apps. It happens in everyday life too. When you see someone for the first time in class, on campus, in the gym, or at a bar, you are immediately judging them, even if it’s subconsciously, based on their looks alone.

Sure, looks fade and personality doesn’t. That’s why, when you’re actually looking for a long-term relationship, you want someone who is not only attractive but someone you enjoy on a much more personal level. Most one-night stands are the result of two people who thought the other was hot and just wanted to get in a quick trip to Pound Town. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s human nature. And after that trip to Pound Town, further judgement based on personality and other traits determine whether or not you choose to seek a relationship with that person. But the initial attraction was based on looks alone.

And it’s not just people. Think about every other thing you judge based on looks. If you order something at a restaurant, and it looks like absolute garbage, you’re not going be psyched about eating it. Your sense of sight immediately turns you off to that order. You do it with clothes, too, because no matter how comfortable that outfit is, if it doesn’t look right, you’re not buying it, much less wearing it. People like things to be aesthetically pleasing first and foremost. Judging something or someone based on looks is the first step.

This is why you, as a human being, can only do one thing: strive to be the best version of yourself. Society obviously isn’t perfect, but if all social justice warriors tried to fix themselves and believed in who they are instead of trying to fix society as a whole and judging other people for judging, then we’d all be better off.