What a world!
By Kayleena
@Kayleena (80)
Canada
March 28, 2007 10:23pm CST
Are appearances all that matter? I’m so angry right now! Why are people acting this way these days? I went to a job interview today, and they told me they didn’t want to hire me because I don’t have a beautiful smile. I know my teeth aren’t as strait as they should be, but still, they are very white... I’m not very comfortable with my smile, but hey, there’s not much I can do about it, unless I spend hundreds of dollars on a dentist. I don’t have that kind of money right now. Is that really a reason to deny me a chance to get the job? Just because my smile isn’t perfect? I would have understood if the job was at a dentist office, but it wasn’t! It was only a simple job where I would have spent my days in a small office, talking on the phone! I wouldn’t even have been in contact with clients!
I always thought I had a nice smile, even though my teeth aren’t perfectly strait... I take good care of it, to the point where I am almost obsessed with mouth hygiene. Being a joyful person, I smile all the time. How am I supposed to react to something like that? Does everyone judge others on how they look? How their smile looks like? How fat or skinny they are? It’s in situations like these that I stop and realize in what kind of society we live. What do you think about all this?
11 people like this
44 responses
@Limey73 (161)
• Canada
29 Mar 07
That's ridiculous of course - sorry to hear they didn't hire you for such a stupid reason...........
They'll probably finish up with some airhead who can't do the job - but hey, that's OK, she's got LOVELY straight teeth! Idiots!
I'm afraid that these days it seems that appearances are often considered more important than ability.
Still, maybe they've done you a favour - after all, who wants to work for a firm with such shallow views?
Hope you find a job worth having soon - all the best!
1 person likes this
@Kayleena (80)
• Canada
30 Mar 07
Quote : "They'll probably finish up with some airhead who can't do the job - but hey, that's OK, she's got LOVELY straight teeth! Idiots!"
Lol! I totally agree with you. I'm a very hard working person, I'm not afraid to have a lot of work to do, but still they didn't ask about that, as if it wasn't important to them. And you're probably right... They aren't worth working for if they judge people this way and show so much discrimination. It's sad, because I really was interested in the job. But hey, I don't want to work for idiots! So I'll look elsewhere.
Thanks for your answer, Limey. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one thinking that people judge too much these days.
@samtaylorskykierajen (7977)
• Canada
29 Mar 07
For starters a job is not supposed to discriminate on looks and you have the right to go to the labor board about this .
It is true that many people do judge others on how they look in this day and age and it is not right as we are not all blessed with perfect looks . I have noticed that often people judge others too quickly on such things and agree with you that although it is not right there is not much we can do but be the minority that does not judge others based on such things .There really is more to a person then the way they look . If a person is clean and tidy , that speaks more about a person then on what they look like .
1 person likes this
@Kayleena (80)
• Canada
30 Mar 07
I agree with you. Being clean and taking good care of my body is far more important to me than to have strait teeth. Of corse, I wouldn't mind having strait teeth, but like you said, not all of us are born with a perfect body. for some it is the teeth, others it is the weight, or the nose, or the euyes, etc. I could go on forever. Everyone has his little things that he doesn't like, and it is very sad and frustrating to see that so much people judge by that these days. It's just sad...
@p3halliwel2005 (3156)
• Philippines
29 Mar 07
I'm sorry you didn't get the job....In looking for a job....You should show that you are lively..They want people who looks and acts friendly..If you are not smiling in an interview it would make the person doing the interview upset that you didn't smile. It doesn't matter at all if you have crooked teeth or not what matters is your output and how you reacted with a smile during the interview..I don't have nice teeth as well but I landed on a good job because I showed the person who interviewed me that I am lively and friendly. And I smiled..
@Kayleena (80)
• Canada
30 Mar 07
I always thought I was a lively person... I smile whenever I get the chance to, I love to laugh and do things that are fun, and I think it shows in my face when I do. Close friends and family members always told me that when I smile, my eyes get shinier and my cheeks blush.
I admit that I didn't smile much in that particular interview, since it lasted about 3 minutes and they told me that they wouldn't hire me at about one minute in. Who would want to smile after being rejected? And foremost, who would want to smile after being told that their smile is awful and that their teeth aren't strait? I wonder...
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
29 Mar 07
You know what? That person did you a favour because if that's the way they run a business you really DON'T want to work there. If they also don't respect what is legal and what isn't (and refusing to hire someone based on their not perfectly straight TEETH?! is just way too looney tunes in my opinion)...who knows what working conditions you would have been subjected to in there. Next time someone says anything absurd like this to you, you should tell them the job just simply doesn't pay enough to get all the liposuction, plastic surgery, dentistry and butt refurbishment (for the inevitable bending over you would have to do for the position) required to fit their mould of the perfect person.
Gee - I would understand if your teeth were decayed, but this is ridiculous.
@Kayleena (80)
• Canada
30 Mar 07
Quote : "Next time someone says anything absurd like this to you, you should tell them the job just simply doesn't pay enough to get all the liposuction, plastic surgery, dentistry and butt refurbishment (for the inevitable bending over you would have to do for the position) required to fit their mould of the perfect person."
ROTF! I agree with you all the way. Now that my anger is gone, I'm quite happy they didn't hire me. I can't say I'm not disapointed or anything, since I really wanted the job. But it's not that bad, now that I know how I would have been treated if they would have hired me. It's better this way, I think. Thanks for your comment, it sure made me feel lighter! :)
@sweetpunch (915)
• Pakistan
29 Mar 07
thats really bad ,thats the thing I love the most about my religion that it allows the ladies to stay home and take rest while the men are responsible for feeding them thats why we don't have to face such problems thanks God !
@fizzytom (752)
• Maribor, Slovenia
29 Mar 07
This is irrelevant and frankly nothing at all to do with whether it is man or a woman. If it was a man who had been turned down for a job because of his teeth it would stil be wrong.
These problems belong to everyone - we have created a world where looks matter and people are treated badly if they do not conform to a set ideal.
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I don't judge people on their appearance however I am an employer and there are rules. Tattoos have to be covered at all times. No piercings. I don't want to see it and I am sure my clients don't either.
I have tattoos but I don't have sleeves. My clients don't even know I smoke. I have an image to keep. I just picked up 3 new clients today. One of which is a church.
It would have to depend on what the job was. If it was for a toothpaste commercial then maybe it was ok to tell you no. You just have to look at it from a non biased perspective of the employer.
However in the USA I don't think it is "legal" to tell someone we didn't pick you because of your teeth, marital status, color, weight, etc...
@livesoul2 (162)
• Pakistan
29 Mar 07
It is very unjust behaviour to reject any one from job on basis of her smile. As you said it was a job of telephone attendant in which teeeth have no roll.I think the person interviewing you was not a business man and may he is recruiting actresses for his new movie! is'nt it right. His behaviour indicates this!
@dfinster (3528)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I think that's really awful that they said that and then told you iy was the reason they wouldn't hire you. I thinks that that is illegal because they are discriminating against you. I wouldn't take that response lightly, all though I'm the type of person who takes action about things like that. I would talk toa lawyer who give a free initial consult to see if you have a case. Because if you were well qualified for the job, they need totake the best qualified perso and even if you weren't they came right out and said that horrible stuff to you which I believe is a formof discrimination,
@Lavera1 (896)
• United States
29 Mar 07
Yes, Kayleena, sad to say that this world does judge on appearances. I've had that to happen to me once concerning a job interview.
It was a cold, windy and rainy day and I decided to wear a hat to the interview. It was a nice stylish hat. I kept the hat on because I wouldn't have had enough time to prepare my hair before the interview. But appearantly the interviewer didn't like what she saw and I wasn't hired.
But I didn't let it discourage me for the next day I went to another interview and was hired.
@Kaeli72 (1229)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I watched "American Idol" last night for the first time and I held my breath when Simon was up. He would be blunt, honest and to the point. But the main reasons they were there was to help the singers improve on how they can do better.
I'm sorry you didn't get your job based on your smile. Take that to heart and just smile because you're alive. Perhaps there was more to the smile that you weren't aware. A person can smile with their mouth, but their eyes and soul lacks the "spark". Straight teeth, crooked, missing, it shouldn't be a factor.
The only descrimination I know of is race, colour, religion or creed...whatever that means.
@fizzytom (752)
• Maribor, Slovenia
29 Mar 07
I am surprised at your answer - you surely can't NOT give someone a job because they don't have perfect teeth. You say it shouldn't be a factor but then you seem to think its not that bad and that this poor girl should "smile bacause you're alive" - how glib!
1 person likes this
@domesticengineer (576)
• Philippines
30 Mar 07
That's terrible! Sometimes people are too unreasonable and judgmental. You might want to think they are playing a joke or indeed insulting somebody intentionally. Your interviewer could have just said sorry but you do not qualify because of your credentials and work experiences. But they have become too personal.If ever that would happen to me, I would probably give them my most beautiful smile then tell them that they are the worst interviewer I ever had. At least I'm telling them the truth and I could still laugh afterwards.
@jean_rose (415)
• Philippines
1 Apr 07
If that's you on your profile pic, you're very pretty.
So, what kind of job are you applying for? Is it modeling? Because I hear that promoters require "perfection" on models they hire. They must be the perfect height, the perfect body, the perfect smile and everything perfect which can be a pain in the neck sometimes because no one is born perfect aside from those who have invested thousands of dollars on cosmetic surgeons or wherever.
@dlkuku (1935)
• United States
30 Mar 07
I used to be a store manager who did all the hiring, and I can't imagine how your smile would in any way shape or form affect your ability to do a job. I would never have said that to a prospective employee, they should hire or not hire based on qualifications not on whether you have a nice smile or not.
@ronreyes (4724)
• Philippines
1 Apr 07
What they did to you is very rude! I mean, who are they to be like that? It's not an American Idol audition! They think they're Simon or something? I feel sorry for them!
But you know everything happens for a reason right!? So don't be sad. Maybe that work isn't just for you. I know God will give a much better job for you someday. You can count of that! Just keep praying and I know God will bless you because you know how to appreciate the things you have right now.
Just keep smiling.
- Ron Reyes
www.ronreyes.co.nr
@WASYLBRYTAN (78)
• Canada
30 Mar 07
This sounds like a case of discrimination against something other than your teeth.
@cloud_kicker_32 (4635)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I think that is totally unjust and a bunch of crap..isnt there anything oyu can do about this? isnt this some kind of discrimination? it has to be..i would be fuming..its just wrong and rediculous..hell. I really am shocked that they did that to yu and even told you why..why dont you contact the better business bearue..ohh i know thats spelled wrong sorry!! anyways and see if you can do anything..or hell even talk to a lawyer and get them for discrimination!! im just soo sorry hun that you are going threw this.,.take care!
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
29 Mar 07
I am totally shocked and saddened to hear this. You know this company did something that is terribly wrong. I also live in Canada and during my career interviewed many many people. It is totally outragious to discriminate on the basis they told you. Look at it from the bright side, you are better off not to work for ignorant mean people like this. Think of it as their loss. I wish you much success in your job hunt.
@kastor003 (364)
• India
29 Mar 07
This is sad to hear that the people are getting so much concerned about the outward looks, but nothing can be done about it as this situation has become far worse than it was some years ago. You are not the lone sufferer , I also have experienced . It was because of my dark colour and fat body that I wasn't chosen for the job . Finally I have a job and U'll also get one. Don't worry.
@LiminaL (164)
• Italy
29 Mar 07
It's extremely absurde, and I hope you know that. I think you should not even take into consideration the matter regarding your teeth. certainly it is a loss if you didn't get the job, but the reason they gave you is not worth of any serious consideration!!!
if you wont ti change anything in your mouth, do it when the time comes for you, and when it seems convenient to you.
I was discussing today with a friend the about aesthetics and conceptions of personal beauty. I find it very simplistic and reductive to realy upon standards without having a wider glance to many other components of what the outlook of a person is. take it easy
@nickshady (9)
• India
29 Mar 07
hey kayleena , the ppl who refused to give u the job were probably finding a excuse not to give the job to you as they might have been bribed or many other scenario's can be possible.. from reading u post , i understand tht they refused the job only because ur smile wasn't right??!!! thts too obvious tht they may be invovled in something like i mentioned before ..
so dont beat ur self up abt ur smile.. i'm pretty sure tht its good.. and tyr n be content with whatever u got , becoz ppl get only wat they deserve..
i'll let u know an incident.. ders a good looking guy right in my coll.. welll from the things i've heard frm girls , he had the best smile and face,unfortunately he had an accident and cut his lip off .. !!! now he can never ever look the same again.. another one is tht back during schooling i had a friend .. he didin't have a single hair on his scalp.. , me here was always wailing abt how bad my hair is n all, and then one day i realised "this guy doesn't even have hair " i must b greatful tht i have hair at least ..
hopr u r getting my point..
don worry .. u'll be getting a job soon ..
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
29 Mar 07
Unless this was a dentist's office, I can't imagine why they would discriminate. They probably did you a favor not hiring you. Hopefully, you will find a job where you feel comfortable and they appreciate you for who you are. As for your question, we are overly concerned with these things that are so fleeting. Your looks will eventually fade, but your character and spirit never will.
