Women's self-loathing is big business and supports a global capitalist system

[MineralMan]

12. That's interesting. Sometimes, it's hard to define the difference between

wanting to look one's best and wanting to attract sexual attention. Often, the two things merge, I think. There's a line somewhere, but it's not a bright, well-defined line, in my opinion. It's not a clearly gender-based thing, either. Men try to dress and groom to look their best, too.

Part of it is a business and general social thing, but part of it, especially among younger people, is based on the whole mating game, even for those who are in relationships. Every situation has different expectations and challenges. For me, it's hard to criticize people for wanting to be attractive to others. Yes, there's a lot of pressure from those who sell products and services, but there's also a lot of personal pressure from inside people to maximize their impact on others, and for a lot of reasons.

I'm long out of the game of trying to attract sexual partners, but I still check the mirror before I leave my house. When I have an appointment with a potential client, I always think about who that client is, and dress and groom myself to present an image that will accomplish my goal of getting work from that client. If the client's business is something like a fence company, I know I'll be meeting with someone who isn't wearing a suit and tie. If the business has other characteristics, I tailor my appearance to meet the expectations I'm likely to encounter at that business. I'm a blue jeans and plaid shirt kind of guy, but, I can clean up well. I can show up in whatever role I think I need to present, from blue collar manual labor to suit and tie banker. I can't count the number of times, I've looked in the mirror before one of those appointments, and headed for the barber shop to make my hair and full beard a bit less prominent. I'll dress differently if I'm meeting a guy who works with his hands or a woman who owns a business that runs out of an office building. I need to make a good impression with either, and appearance is the very first thing they see. As the meeting progresses, they'll discover other aspects of my skills and attitudes, but when I walk in the door, how I look is important.

Do I wish I didn't have to do that? Not really. I live in society, and work in society. Meeting the expectations of society is just part of the mix. It's not a simple equation. I don't think it ever has been.