Do you have erotic capital?

Erotic capital : The magic of beauty

Afsana Ahmed

So you thought that the most beautiful things in the world have no real use beyond pleasing the eye? Think again. A UK sociologist Dr. Catherine Hakim says that the secret weapon some women are born with lies in their demenour, their looks, their attitude , social skills, fitness and most importantly their sexual competence. And I strongly belive that it is 100% true.

In an era where 'looking like a million bucks' has become a national obsession, with everyone conforming to the global wave of cosmetic makeovers, I feel the power of looking good is slowly but surely being felt.

Be it the job market, on the home front or a college campus - looking good matters. Beauties who use this strength to their advantage are reigning today. "What's the harm in flaunting it, if you have it?" asks filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt.

Experts suggest that in this time of competition, attractive people have an edge over others. "The power of beauty is incredible," observes Bhatt.

Rahul Joshi, an image consultant, corroborates, "Good looks create pleasing imageries in the mind. It feels good to see attractive features. The initial impression is important. That's why firms and hotels prefer to keep beautiful faces as they create a fantastic image of the company for a first time visitor."
Marketing manager Deepti Naandwani underwent tremendous mental stress when she saw her juniors racing past her. "The profile of my company also changed. They were increasingly focussing on the feel-good factor which they felt could be attained by looking glamourous. A senior of mine made me feel that I needed to look hot to be happening."
Deepika weighed 82 kg once. "I underwent a makeover to fit into their profile. I don't blame them anymore because I feel a never-seen before confidence. That itself is a boost. Today, that senior of mine gives me a second look!"
Britain's Exeter University psychologist Dr Alan Slater says that attractive people tend to do better in life than the less attractive ones.
"Nobody ever said evolution was fair," he observes. His premise was based on a recent study on newborns which showed an instinctive fascination for people who look like Hollywood stars and an in-built prejudice against ordinary looking adults.

According to Bhatt, even the common man is trying to conform to the definition of beauty. "Even if the person is not beautiful by normally accepted standards, she uses the cosmetic industry. It's inescapable."

Actress Sameera Reddy, who was plump once, says, "Beauty is grooming yourself to the best of your abilities. When I was weighty and non-glamourous, I was aware of my weakness. So I made the best of what I had. Anybody can be attractive if only you know how to use it."

She doesn't agree that you have to be beautiful to be successful. "Being beautiful is a stepping stone."

Dr Manisha Sen, psychologist, says that good looks is related to success in an indirect way. "More than beauty, it's how one presents oneself is what matters."