Appearance's Affect on Conversation Progession (Murky)

[mensimageconsultant]

Inspired by a discussion of small talk and intended to get people thinking about a process that usually is subconscious...

How much do you think appearance impacts a conversation, once it gets started? Let's assume that the participants are similar in age, clothing formality (kind of a proxy for status), ethnicity, body size, facial expressiveness, facial dominance, and physical attractiveness. (There is some research on how those factors affect interactions. For example.) Leave gender out of it, as obviously that can influence topic choice.

How might someone's hair style and clothing influence what getting-to-know-you questions he or she is asked? For instance, "He looks brainy, so I'll bring up politics.") How will such details in the person who is asking the questions influence how the questions are received?

 

[lance konami]

Appearance affects so many aspects of our lives it's pretty alarming when you become aware of it. I read a book called "Looks ' Why They Matter More Than You Ever Imagined" by Gordon Patzer, PH.D and it's amazing and disturbing.

 

[mensimageconsultant]

Agreed (and Lance is not a sock puppet). Thanks very much for the book reference.

 

[West24]

looks are huge. i remember in gr 4 when they gave us questions to answer. one was would you rather be a genius, or good looking. many of us wrote genius, but i think if you were to ask that question now, most would change it. looks play a role in everything, from people helping you out, landing a job, etc.

 

[Fuuma]

Originally Posted by mensimageconsultant

Inspired by a discussion of small talk and intended to get people thinking about a process that usually is subconscious...

How much do you think appearance impacts a conversation, once it gets started? Let's assume that the participants are similar in age, clothing formality (kind of a proxy for status), ethnicity, body size, facial expressiveness, facial dominance, and physical attractiveness. (There is some research on how those factors affect interactions. For example.) Leave gender out of it, as obviously that can influence topic choice.

How might someone's hair style and clothing influence what getting-to-know-you questions he or she is asked? For instance, "He looks brainy, so I'll bring up politics.") How will such details in the person who is asking the questions influence how the questions are received?

I hate facial dominance, that latex mask is so hard to remove once you've sweated a little.

 

[LA Guy]

Originally Posted by mensimageconsultant

Inspired by a discussion of small talk and intended to get people thinking about a process that usually is subconscious... How much do you think appearance impacts a conversation, once it gets started? Let's assume that the participants are similar in age, clothing formality (kind of a proxy for status), ethnicity, body size, facial expressiveness, facial dominance, and physical attractiveness. (There is some research on how those factors affect interactions. For example.) Leave gender out of it, as obviously that can influence topic choice. How might someone's hair style and clothing influence what getting-to-know-you questions he or she is asked? For instance, "He looks brainy, so I'll bring up politics.") How will such details in the person who is asking the questions influence how the questions are received?
You got me. I do enjoy myself a bit of a pep talk with the man in the mirror first thing in the morning. To answer your question, topics typically include: "You're alright, you're okay." "Better get some work done today." "Gonna be a better man." "Looking good." "Who you lookin' at?" and, last but not least "Booyah, that is a nice jacket you've got on there, trigger." These topics are generally well received.