Now it's about wrinkles

[Dogmama]

Since I started this thread, I've been noticing how our society pushes us to be "beautiful." Last night's commercial - a girl with perfectly straight white teeth freaking out because she'd been invited to a concert & may not have time to whiten her teeth. Aw c'mon now...

So much is pushed on us (women) to buy products to make us look younger. How about pushing books so that we're wiser? Oh, I forgot. You can't "see" wiser and make snap judgments about a person's worthiness.

Obviously, I need to get on my bike.

[Crankin]

I don't need a book to push me to be wiser. I have a healthy appreciation for intelligence. You can be wise and beautiful at the same time. Why are the 2 seen as mutually exclusive? It feels like that perpetuates the "dumb blonde" stereotype.
Around here, I have seen plenty of people make "snap judgments" about other's "wiseness," hence their worthiness, which had nothing to do with physical appearance. As in, "You went to a state university." Not so wise. No graduate degree? Not so wise. In my experience, what you are judged on depends very heavily on context. Having lived in 3 different states, the balance is tipped in one direction or another by geography and cultural values.
And men get pushed to be younger in different ways. I see a whole lot of ED commercials when I watch the national news .

[Biciclista]

all I can say is think back and remember your favorite grandmother. You loved her despite her wrinkles, bags, sags, bad teeth. None of that stuff really matters. Certainly take care of your body, it's the only one that you get, but no one except for maybe your NEW lover looks at you that closely and certainly not that judgmentally!

[malkin]

Not only did I love my grandmothers despite their appearance, I loved their appearance. One had the most fantastic crazy white hair, and the other one...well, I was shocked to find out that the lovely colors and veins on the back of her hands were not universally considered attractive.

[Biciclista]

Not only did I love my grandmothers despite their appearance, I loved their appearance. One had the most fantastic crazy white hair, and the other one...well, I was shocked to find out that the lovely colors and veins on the back of her hands were not universally considered attractive.

exactly~!!!

[tulip]

Oh, I love a good mani-pedi, facial, and massage. I suppose I could get manis-pedis-facials every month instead if taking Pilates and yoga classes, but my limited financial resources go to what I deem most important to me. If I come into some bucks in the future, I'd be more than happy to be pampered as much as possible.

[Crankin]

Mimi, the thing is that both of my grandmothers did not have many wrinkles, bags, or sags when they died. They were both thin (certainly not from exercise!) and had beautiful skin. I know my mom's mom became gray in her thirties, not sure about the other one; but she was gray as long as I can remember her, too. They spent lots of time working on themselves. So did my mom; the difference was that she exercised, even when it wasn't popular. Aside from the fact that my mom died at a way too young age from a rare liver disease, she was so beautiful, petite, and youthful looking, there were many times when people thought we were sisters and my dad was her dad and my dad! We shared clothes until I was well into my twenties, almost 30. I didn't look like my mom, but I guess I am trying to say is that these are the role models I had, and frankly, I will be happy to be like them. The only difference is that I don't mind getting dirty and sweaty and like the accomplishment of sports. So did my mom, but she was really born a generation too soon.

[emily_in_nc]

Oh, I love a good mani-pedi, facial, and massage. I suppose I could get manis-pedis-facials every month instead if taking Pilates and yoga classes, but my limited financial resources go to what I deem most important to me. If I come into some bucks in the future, I'd be more than happy to be pampered as much as possible.

I don't do any of those things, but I have no problem with women who do. My choices are just different. I choose to retire at 50, and with that choice, a lot of other financial decisions flow. If I wanted to work longer, I could do a lot of those things, but I'm tired of working!

[emily_in_nc]

And men get pushed to be younger in different ways. I see a whole lot of ED commercials when I watch the national news .

A bit OT, but this just drives me mad. Every frickin' night watching ABC World News tonight. I surely wish these ads had never been approved for television. You can't even watch the news with your parents or in-laws without getting embarrasshed now. Sheesh...nothing is sacred any more.

This is one of my pet peeves!

[emily_in_nc]

And men get pushed to be younger in different ways. I see a whole lot of ED commercials when I watch the national news .

A bit OT, but this just drives me mad. Every frickin' night watching ABC World News tonight. "When the moment is right..." gagggggghhhh! I surely wish these ads had never been approved for television. You can't even watch the news with your parents or in-laws without getting embarrassed now. Sheesh...nothing is sacred any more.

This is one of my pet peeves!