Beauty, beauty, beauty. We could all happily talk about this topic forever but still there are so many things that surprise me. For instance, did you know two thirds of people believe being gorgeous is not just about physical attractiveness? So far, so good. Yet despite that huge air kiss for inner beauty, 40 per cent of people would still alter their looks if money was no object.
Confusing huh? My dear colleague Claire recently alerted me to an international study about beauty by market research giant Synovate and I couldn’t wait to share the results with you.
7,000 people participated so it’s only a drop in the opinion ocean but since they came from countries as diverse as Brazil, Bulgaria, Korea, Spain, South Africa and the US, it makes for fascinating reading. The survey focussed on how different cultures see themselves on the beauty scale, and whether they would change anything about their looks.
Happily, 35 per cent of people worldwide attribute beauty to what’s on the inside while another 32 per cent believe confidence is what counts. And 30 per cent say no way, no how to plastic surgery, even if they had an endless supply of cash.
There were however plenty of contradictions, especially on the touchy subject of plastic surgery. Apparently 20 per cent would go under the knife for their appearance and in most countries, twice as many women as men admitted to considering surgery. Except in India where only a handful of either sex had given plastic surgery much thought.
Maybe that has something to do with the fact that 24 per cent of Indians think they’re beautiful. Only second to the number of South Africans (32%). Their Korean and US cousins were not so optimistic with the Americans leading the poll for feeling blah and wanting to change their appearance.
Wonder how we Australians would fair?
How do you feel about resorting to plastic surgery for beauty?
