Standards of Looking Great

 We do not know how other people perceive us. In the extremes, this can breed self-consciousness, or it can breed cockiness. Neither warrants much praise.

Consider this. In the abstract, looks have a greater impact on a person's life outlook than they would like to admit. What harm is done if people truly believe a person looks great?

This all leads to the misconception that appearances are shallow. We will learn from ethics that beauty is only skin deep. All of this is true, but only to a point. "Looking great" and "being beautiful" are two distinct concepts, as beauty is highly subjective.

Looking good, on the other hand, is a matter of culture and location. It can be concluded that a man dressed in a business suit is wealthy or employed in our day and age. He does not, however, have to be attractive. This business suit analogy highlights an undeniable human competency: the instant interpretation of our surroundings. This is neither superficial nor avoidable.

This is the way of the physical universe.

There are general standards for looking good. Because the term is ambiguous, "looking great" implies confidence; confidence, unpretentious and undiluted, implies being at ease in your surroundings. The following advice may be useful for someone seeking confidence rather than self-consciousness or cockiness.

Scrapers for the tongue. Yes, this small device will come in handy. It combats bad breath in the most effective way possible: it scrapes the surface of the tongue deep at the throat's opening. Nothing kills confidence faster than bad breath, which appears unexpectedly even after thorough brushing; and pearly white teeth aren't worth two cents if no one wants to be near your open mouth.

The tongue, not the teeth or gums, is a breeding ground for bad breath. And odorous breath is more associated with a general sense of good taste than with any particular culture. Apply the following rule: No matter what, poop smells like poop.

where you come from Some cultures may appear to be more tolerant of the principle, but they must not prefer it.

Baggy clothes fall into the half-truth, half-subjective category of looking good. The primary reason they do so little to highlight the wearer is due to their design. They sag and distort the wearer's figure. Baggy clothes simply do not work unless they are part of a cultural statement.

This is also true for make-up: if it does not enhance natural features, it serves little purpose. What do you think is more impressive, natural or artificial features? Yes, artificial looks are acceptable and common, but they almost never outperform the natural.

This brings us to our conclusion. Highlight and complement your natural features. The principle makes perfect sense, especially if you want to project self-assurance. The tongue scraper served as an analogy for hygiene, which is a universal custom.

However, the latter discussion in this article highlights a critical touchstone in looking great: looking good and feeling good according to what is "You." Don't go overboard. Because, in an interpretation-based universe, there is no greater misinterpretation than misinterpreting your own sense of self. Be proud of who you are and express it as best you can.