I am sitting here watching Oprah while writing this blog lol. It's very interesting because they are talking about the definition of beauty for different cultures around the world.
For example, in Oman very shiny Omani dresses and Burkas that define the eyes are considered a sign of beauty. The Omani dresses are colorful and attract attention and the Burkha as one woman states, “makes the eyes stand out because there are different shapes to accentuate her eyes." These women also apply heavy liner and shadow for additional attraction. Another example is in Japan, where skin is considered the most important component. Have you ever wondered why Japanese women have such nice, clear porcelain skin? Their secret is drinking cologne with water every day and also applying bird poop to their face. The bird poop is what makes the skin soft, and supple; while the cologne keeps the skin youthful.
However, not all countries have safe beauty practices like Oman and Japan. Some beauty practices cause a great deal of pain and discomfort, but that’s the price one has to pay to look perfect. In Malaysia women wear a huge gold brace around their neck to show that they are not only wealthy, but have attractive necks. This brace is very uncomfortable since the women can’t move their necks freely, and the weight of the brace puts a lot of pressure on their body. This practice starts at a very young age; a girl that looked about ten was forced to wear the brace. Similarly, in China women who have bounded feet also show a sign of wealth and grace. This practice is no longer valid, but they use to bind young Chinese girl’s feet using string. It was extremely painful because the string would wound the feet by crushing her bones and her toes would naturally start to point. The string is supposed to be kept on for months. When the girl finally takes the string off, she can no longer walk normally, and instead she walks on her toes. Walking on her toes makes the girls seem more feminine because she can’t walk fast, creating a slow, graceful pace.
Contrary to the America, women in Africa struggle to gain weight by force feeding themselves and younger girls a high amount of fatty-enriched, soupy substance. I have no clue what they were eating but, it made them extremely obese because when they couldn’t eat anymore they vomit the food and then continue eating again. It was really sad because men over there say that they would not trade an extremely fat woman for a skinny one, even though the man himself is skinny! It’s all about the women; its seems as though men don’t need to worry too much about their appearance cause women outnumber men significantly. Furthermore, women in Thailand dread their bodies after pregnancy because they no longer have a nice figure. It is such a big deal because they feel insecure around their husband. The solution to this problem is to wrap themselves from abs down to uterus in a thick, long, bandage-type cloth. It was so funny watching the lady wrap another Thailand woman with this cloth cause she asked her if she can breathe and the Thailand women replies No and the lady answered “perfect”.
Anyways, watching this episode of Oprah has taught me many things about other cultures and women are all connected in one way: WE CARE TOO MUCH ABOUT APPEARANCE. But is that our fault? No, that’s just the way it works because women are always recognized for their beauty first and then other things second. This is not to say that this is always the case but it’s most likely true. Also I don’t want to put the males down because some women judge appearance first also. No one wants to even approach one who doesn’t look hygienic, and no one wants to get to know someone that they aren’t physically attracted to. It’s really harsh, but the truth hurts. I think a lot of women (and men) accept this: if they didn’t they wouldn’t try so hard to look good lol.
For example, in Oman very shiny Omani dresses and Burkas that define the eyes are considered a sign of beauty. The Omani dresses are colorful and attract attention and the Burkha as one woman states, “makes the eyes stand out because there are different shapes to accentuate her eyes." These women also apply heavy liner and shadow for additional attraction. Another example is in Japan, where skin is considered the most important component. Have you ever wondered why Japanese women have such nice, clear porcelain skin? Their secret is drinking cologne with water every day and also applying bird poop to their face. The bird poop is what makes the skin soft, and supple; while the cologne keeps the skin youthful.
However, not all countries have safe beauty practices like Oman and Japan. Some beauty practices cause a great deal of pain and discomfort, but that’s the price one has to pay to look perfect. In Malaysia women wear a huge gold brace around their neck to show that they are not only wealthy, but have attractive necks. This brace is very uncomfortable since the women can’t move their necks freely, and the weight of the brace puts a lot of pressure on their body. This practice starts at a very young age; a girl that looked about ten was forced to wear the brace. Similarly, in China women who have bounded feet also show a sign of wealth and grace. This practice is no longer valid, but they use to bind young Chinese girl’s feet using string. It was extremely painful because the string would wound the feet by crushing her bones and her toes would naturally start to point. The string is supposed to be kept on for months. When the girl finally takes the string off, she can no longer walk normally, and instead she walks on her toes. Walking on her toes makes the girls seem more feminine because she can’t walk fast, creating a slow, graceful pace.
Contrary to the America, women in Africa struggle to gain weight by force feeding themselves and younger girls a high amount of fatty-enriched, soupy substance. I have no clue what they were eating but, it made them extremely obese because when they couldn’t eat anymore they vomit the food and then continue eating again. It was really sad because men over there say that they would not trade an extremely fat woman for a skinny one, even though the man himself is skinny! It’s all about the women; its seems as though men don’t need to worry too much about their appearance cause women outnumber men significantly. Furthermore, women in Thailand dread their bodies after pregnancy because they no longer have a nice figure. It is such a big deal because they feel insecure around their husband. The solution to this problem is to wrap themselves from abs down to uterus in a thick, long, bandage-type cloth. It was so funny watching the lady wrap another Thailand woman with this cloth cause she asked her if she can breathe and the Thailand women replies No and the lady answered “perfect”.
Anyways, watching this episode of Oprah has taught me many things about other cultures and women are all connected in one way: WE CARE TOO MUCH ABOUT APPEARANCE. But is that our fault? No, that’s just the way it works because women are always recognized for their beauty first and then other things second. This is not to say that this is always the case but it’s most likely true. Also I don’t want to put the males down because some women judge appearance first also. No one wants to even approach one who doesn’t look hygienic, and no one wants to get to know someone that they aren’t physically attracted to. It’s really harsh, but the truth hurts. I think a lot of women (and men) accept this: if they didn’t they wouldn’t try so hard to look good lol.
yep - agree Oman is very shiny and ' in your face' so to speak
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