By Beth Ann Knowles, BScI don't watch much daytime TV; maybe because I work during the day, maybe because it has always been this bad? But this week, my first full week on maternity leave, while I restlessly 'nested' and awaited baby to arrive, I found myself adjusting the rabbit ears on our 7 year old, non-flat screen, anti-plasma, no-name brand television set with built-in VCR. For you younger readers, rabbit ears are a nickname for antenna that can be connected to your TV to bring in a few basic free channels. At around noon, a popular talk show with a group of women who constantly interrupt each other and speak out of turn was on. I watched and listened as they discussed ‘significant' matters of today's woman. My disgust began when they started talking about the importance of Botox use among female Hollywood actresses. One host mentioned how she'd recently watched one of the classic movies of the 1950s. She commented on how awful the furrowed lines between the leading lady's eyes looked when she was angry or upset; how much better she would have looked had she had Botox!
Really? Now facial expressions are a faux pas? What has happened to us? I would be angered by such a comment coming from a man but I am truly appalled that a woman would utter such nonsense; a seemingly confident, empowered woman who acts as a role model to female viewers all over North America.
So along with all of the other things society tells us we need to agonize about and spend time and money on, we also need to worry about how we look when we worry? Thank goodness nobody is watching me write this. How terribly ugly I must look right now as I’m both angry at society and worried about how awful I look because I am angry.
But I’m not just here to gripe about this. I’ve thought long and hard and I’ve come up with a solution to share with you. If we all just get masks made to cover our faces, we can all have that same generic ‘perfect’ expressionless expression that is oh so attractive. That way we can all hide what we truly look and feel like. Isn’t that the key to beauty? To look like something we’re not? To waste, I mean spend time and money and so much effort to change our appearance so we’ll appeal to everyone around us? Wouldn’t this world be a better place if we all looked the same?
On an unrelated note, does anyone know if pregnancy affects sarcasm?
About the Author: Beth Ann has a degree in Sciences from Dalhousie University and has worked as a Personal Trainer and Nutrition and Wellness Specialist. Additionally, Beth Ann has a personal interest in holistic wellness and sustainable environmental practices. Currently Beth Ann is on maternity leave from her position as Canadian Sales Manager for Naturally Nova Scotia Health Products.
Really? Now facial expressions are a faux pas? What has happened to us? I would be angered by such a comment coming from a man but I am truly appalled that a woman would utter such nonsense; a seemingly confident, empowered woman who acts as a role model to female viewers all over North America.
So along with all of the other things society tells us we need to agonize about and spend time and money on, we also need to worry about how we look when we worry? Thank goodness nobody is watching me write this. How terribly ugly I must look right now as I’m both angry at society and worried about how awful I look because I am angry.
But I’m not just here to gripe about this. I’ve thought long and hard and I’ve come up with a solution to share with you. If we all just get masks made to cover our faces, we can all have that same generic ‘perfect’ expressionless expression that is oh so attractive. That way we can all hide what we truly look and feel like. Isn’t that the key to beauty? To look like something we’re not? To waste, I mean spend time and money and so much effort to change our appearance so we’ll appeal to everyone around us? Wouldn’t this world be a better place if we all looked the same?
On an unrelated note, does anyone know if pregnancy affects sarcasm?
About the Author: Beth Ann has a degree in Sciences from Dalhousie University and has worked as a Personal Trainer and Nutrition and Wellness Specialist. Additionally, Beth Ann has a personal interest in holistic wellness and sustainable environmental practices. Currently Beth Ann is on maternity leave from her position as Canadian Sales Manager for Naturally Nova Scotia Health Products.
