Looks matter

This past week a local politician in New Hampshire commented on a senate race between two women. He broke the basic rules of politically correct speech and said what he really thought. He pointed out that one of the women was homely and the other was attractive. While that may have been true as he saw it, he failed to understand that humans are social animals and must get along to get along. What surprised me was the way commentators responded to this not very bright individual. They acted surprised that someone would judge a person based on their appearance as if that is something they would never do. There are numerous studies showing that first impressions have a powerful influence on how people judge one another. It is a matter of civility and kindness that we do not make derogatory comments about others appearance but it does not mean that we do not notice those things. If I am 6 foot 8 and I walk into the room what is the first thing you notice about me. If I am 5 foot 8 and weigh 300 pounds what is the first thing you notice. When a beautiful woman walks in do people notice?