Personality

by Jenny Tolley

Created on: June 29, 2010   Last Updated: June 30, 2010

There's a lot of truth to the old adage, "Beauty is only skin deep."  When they are in their prime, physically beautiful people often have no trouble attracting opportunities.  They are often the envy of their peers, who perceive that they live charmed lives and don't have to deal with the problems that more ordinary-looking people do.  But the cruel fact of the matter is that a person's appearance is always changing, and usually not for the better.  For that reason and several others, I think a person's personality is ultimately much more important than their appearance.  However, that doesn't mean that maintaining one's appearance is not important.     

Being good looking and taking pride in one's appearance can be very worthwhile.  I don't think it's ever a bad thing for a person to pay attention to their grooming and dress, particularly when their aim is to impress someone.  There's no doubt that being attractive and appealing will help a person get noticed and make it more likely that they will be given that chance to impress.  Many people are turned off by those who are dirty and unkempt, or obviously don't take any pride in their appearance.  

On the other hand, being good-looking and well-groomed is just the first step in impressing other people.  A very attractive person might get others to stop and take a look, but if there's no substance under the style, a lot of people will eventually get bored and want to move on to the next attractive person.  Being a very attractive person with an unpleasant personality is like being beautifully gift-wrapped feces.  Once the other person gets beneath the beautiful surface, there's nothing there but something foul and stinky.  Other people don't usually want to stick around for very long after making that discovery.

Of course, if you are a less attractive but well-groomed person with a great personality, chances are excellent that it won't be long before other people will take notice.  They'll overlook the fact that you're not as physically beautiful, because you have an inner spark that is far more attractive than any physical beauty could ever be.  And the people who appreciate personality over appearance will be high quality people... those who look beyond the surface for the person inside.  Those are the kind of people who will be there when the going gets rough.   

So yes, I believe that in the long run, a person's personality is much more important than their appearance.  However, I will concede that it helps to be physically attractive, if only to get other people to stop and take notice for the right reasons and give you that first chance to impress.  Beyond that point, what's inside is what really counts the most, at least when it comes to attracting people of a higher caliber.

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