I thought westerners were the superficial ones!

I've heard those kinds of suggestions from people from everywhere. Sadly, I think the obsession with beauty is going on everywhere these days. *sighs* I live in the United States, and of course it's a huge thing here. I just don't get the whole obsession. While I am sometimes told I am "cute" I am definitely not beautiful, but the largest problem I have had in finding partners, friends, etc is my social phobia, not my looks. While there are some really snobby people that immediately reject me, I pretty much think I'm better off without them. Not only that, but I have found that if I act with confidence in public, people treat me better no matter what I look like. They even generally percieve me as weighing at least 20-30 lbs. less than I do.

Hi Karmalina! Unfortunately, for most people here, especially men, a woman's physical appearance is very important, even if they do not admit it. If husbands have an affair, the first thing they would say is that the wife already grew fat, older looking, unattractive and does not dress up well anymore. As if that's the main reason for getting and staying married. Unfortunately, a lot of people would still feel that the man is justifiable and the wife is at fault. But that's not the case when the roles were reversed. So unfair....

This has nothing to do with the West... or any specific country. It is about human nature. If you are good looking or average good looking... you associate yourself with people looking as good as you. It has nothing to do with being superficial. You will find that good looking people wants everything to be beautiful in their life. Beautiful house, beautiful car, beautiful furnitures, beautiful everything. To be good looking is an integral part of your life. Good looking women spend hours looking themselve in the mirror to make sure they look good at all time. And they do that until the day they die. Just because someone is good looking or likes good looking people does not make them heartless. They still hold the same values than anyone else. All they are doing is upgrading the degree of difficulties by which they live. People who don't care about beauty might have an easier life... but it might also prevent them to climb up the social ladder because of their careless attitude. Trying to look your best is about pride and self-esteem. Without those two values... you are likely to be the slave of several people all your life. All this is a generalisation... as everyone is different. It is impossible to discuss any topic about people in general without doing so.

Many people from all over seem to feel that way. I do not think that where they are from has much to do with it. I think it an individual thing. There are many other people see beyond those few extra pounds we may be carrying, and see our true beauty.