Beauty as a pass and as a curse: users discuss the privileges and problems it creates (9 photos)

It's a ingrained belief in society that beautiful people have it easy—study, relationships, friendships, careers. On the other hand, it's not for nothing that the popular saying goes: "Don't be born beautiful, be born happy."





But relying solely on social norms or proverbs isn't enough. So, people on Reddit tried to study the market, so to speak, and find out what makes beauties, or those who consider themselves such, tick.

1. The Sad Story of a Beauty



"One of my oldest close friends was a tall, slender, incredibly beautiful woman. We met when we were working as waitresses, about a hundred years ago. Sometimes, guests in my section would ask to be served by her. It was a shame, of course. But we still became friends."

She was a person of rare generosity, open to everyone. Women often behaved like pigs. They stared, looked her up and down, and snorted. Men, of course, went crazy, but her personal life was somehow not going well. She could walk into a job search and walk out with a position. Her looks opened every door for her.

Her last affair simply destroyed the last vestiges of her self-esteem, and she'd held on to that relationship for years. She'd dabbled in various substances before, but gradually alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes took over and devoured her beauty. People who'd known her all their lives turned away with a kind of disgusted irritation—as if to ask how she could squander such a priceless gift. A very sad story...

2. Beauty as a reason for tactlessness





- I had two friends who worked at the same coffee shop. One of them was constantly complimented on her looks. Imagine Zoe Kravitz, but with huge eyes and soft features.

The other friend usually worked the cash register. Customers would sometimes leave her a tip and say, "Please pass this to the other waitress."

That's incredibly tactless. I can't even imagine how anyone could do that. And if you really want to tip someone, give it directly to them. Don't dangle money in front of someone else, entrusting them with the role of mail carrier.

3. An Easy Career Path



"Oh, that reminds me of my sister. She was literally offered jobs simply because she was pretty. And that's how she rose through the ranks."

First, one guy hired her to work at a kiosk, then another company lured her away. Then, the regional manager of a well-known company, finding her attractive, immediately offered her an assistant manager position. And from there, she went on to manage a vitamin store because another manager decided her looks would attract customers.

By the way, she was a great employee. I remember that vitamin store manager was shocked by how well she did.

4. Appearances That Make Life Easier



"This doesn't just apply to entry-level jobs. A friend of mine, not a supermodel but attractive, just struck up a conversation with a stranger on college campus. It turned out he was some top manager from out of town. And right there, he offered her an internship for the following summer."

Or here's another thing: my classmates (we were a small group) and I went to job fairs. One of my classmates was very attractive and very aware of it. She had a childish voice, was very tactile—with both male and female recruiters, laughed at every lame joke, and hinted at meeting for a glass of wine. She ended up finding a job much earlier than me, even though she was a C student and constantly cheated.

5. A Generous Gift from a Stranger



- Wow. A friend of mine is incredibly beautiful. Take my word for it: a man she'd never even met sent her $50,000 for her 21st birthday.

6. Beauty Will Save Your Life



- I worked with a waitress, a pretty one. One customer, who thought he was dying, sent her and her sister, as well as another waitress, $10,000 each. He survived.

7. Attractive Appearance and Potential Problems



Overall, people are kinder to you. I think it's a subconscious instinct—you want to be liked by someone you like. I'm no supermodel, but I've definitely noticed it.

As a woman, you're more likely to face harassment. And there's always a nagging thought in the back of your mind that the men who talk to you want more than just friendship.

8. The Dark Side of Beauty



"Most people are genuinely kind to me. But the 10-20 percent who are unkind are merciless and cruel. Other women have complained to HR about my posture." Simply because they couldn't come up with anything more concrete. Or they started spreading rumors out of thin air, just to hurt me, because they simply didn't like me. I've heard women say they were glad someone tried to slip me something at a work party.

Most men are polite, too. But there's a frightening minority who don't see me as a person, only as prey or a trophy. I've been stalked and drugged several times. And by people I've refused to go on dates with. I've also learned not to look men in the eye for too long, otherwise they'll think I'm flirting or lusting after them.

The honest truth is, my life has gotten significantly better since I got married and turned 30. I'm still attractive, but I'm no longer the femme fatale. And the violence (both emotional and physical) in my life is incomparably less now.

Do you think physical attractiveness really makes life easier and simpler? Or is there no connection, and beauty can even be a source of envy and failure?