4 ms·

What about using lipstick to emulate sexual arousal? Why did they use make up doing business?

• marchenko 9y ago
  Perhaps these lipstick-wearing women were raised in a social environment where a previously supernormal stimulus (heightened lip pigmentation/smoothed glossy lip surface) is now expected as a normal aspect of professional presentation in many contexts, and they do not wish to be asked "are you feeling well?" on a regular basis.
  • Dude2018 9y ago
    Did not stop from fighting other things considered "normal". Truth is getting hit vs getting harassed is based on hotness of the guy.
  • prawn 9y ago
    "are you feeling well?" I've witnessed this: (concerned) Is x OK? Huh? Is she upset? She looks like she's been crying. (realising) No, she's just not wearing any makeup. You normally see her with makeup on.
    • jlebrech 9y ago
      that's where not giving a shit comes into play. you don't accidentally sexism.
      • vertex-four 9y ago
        Sure you do. If you behave to the detriment of one gender but not another, that's sexism. You then say "sorry, didn't mean that", and change your behaviour now that you know.
        • jlebrech 9y ago
          sure, assuming someone has been crying is dumb. noticing a change of appearance is something women want you to do when it's a positive thing ie. new haircut. but if it's negative it's probably best to reword what you're saying in a more positive way. but you can talk to men how you want, they won't care. so yes you have to behave differently to both genders.
          • vertex-four 9y ago
            I said "to the detriment of", not "differently", for a start.
            • jlebrech 9y ago
              so treating both genders equally doesn't always end in equality.
              • vertex-four 9y ago
                Indeed it doesn't! However, the reasoning for that is interesting - the primary reasons women get more upset when you speak about their appearance negatively when compared to men is that women constantly have it drilled into them that their appearance is one of the most important things about them, from a relatively early age. We have a combination of media and other people who do that - often even other women. It's something to be solved, but as the situation stands right now, yeah, criticising women on their dress/makeup/haircut only serves to further that - because women have generally already had significantly different experiences than men by the time you meet them.
            • pbhjpbhj 9y ago
              "Detriment" varies and apparently has a strong gender correlation though.
• Bakary 9y ago
  I don't think makeup is a good example, because it's often a damned if you do, damned if you don't type of situation. Wear makeup and you will be accused of boldness or manipulative tendencies, don't wear it and your appearance will be criticized and commented on. Based on my experience the former is the preferable choice.
• vertex-four 9y ago
  Mostly because women often get pulled into meetings with their bosses/HR and told to wear makeup if they don't. Seriously. Even if they don't, they get accused by work colleagues of not looking good enough, and clients comment on it. This isn't something women do to be manipulative - it's something that's enforced as part of a woman's dress code by the company. Or, in other words, if you think makeup is intended to replicate visual signs of arousal... then this is the culture you work in forcing women to appear sexually aroused in workplace environments. Which is, of course, also something that feminists have talked about for decades.
  • belorn 9y ago
    From what I have read, tools to improve ones appearance (makeup, manicures, trendy clothes) is primarily about social status and inter-sex pecking order. Men do the same thing, but instead of makeup it is different signal of having wealth (clocks, gadgets, cars). I recall reading that if a woman has no other female coworkers, the trend is a decrease use of such signals. With no one to compete with then there is no need to spend energy on it.
  • Chris2048 9y ago
    Then campaign against it. Until then, "corporate expectation" is a convenient excuse, despite the fact that many corporations will fold in the face of any social pressure. Like how "men" are claimed to be responsible for pressuring women into unrealistic body images, despite the fashion industry being run, and chosen by women.
    • vertex-four 9y ago
      We have been for decades? Like, this was a part of second-wave feminism half a decade ago. It's hardly a new idea.
      • Chris2048 9y ago
        There are lots of ideas in the world, I'm talking about actual action. Various celebs will back a "ban bossy" campaign, but millions of women are forced to feign sexual availability against their wishes, and barely any motivation to protests it?
• nl 9y ago
  Or maybe they do it because it looks good? Like how some people wear clothes that look good on them.