Beauty

Does beauty affect one's success in life?

I agree to some extent. Most people in our society are snobbish enough to form one’s first impression on the basis of appearance. However, one’s success is not accidental; one needs to be able to stand firm and be cultured, with extraordinary willpower. These qualities are much more important than beauty.

Do people spend too much time and money on beauty?

As I see it, some people spend too much time on their appearances. They spend much time putting on makeup, dressing up, buying clothes, and even undergoing plastic surgery, but I consider it a matter of lacking self-confidence. In my view, one’s self-confidence is more beautiful than anything.

How much time should be spent on making yourself look better each day?

I spend only a few minutes making sure that my hair is tidy and my clothes are tidy and clean.

Have you ever noticed anyone ever feeling pressured to be more beautiful?

A few women I know are bothered by their looks and figures. This pressure, I think, comes from the media. Everyone sees supermodels as their role models, resulting in a relatively parochial way of viewing beauty.

 

What personality trait is the most important for inner beauty?

One’s kindness is the most important. Even if one has a glamorous appearance, one is overall speaking ugly in the absence of a kind heart.

 

What are some of the drawbacks of being beautiful?

Undeniably a good look really comes with many advantages, but one is bothered by too good a look.  For example, if one insists on looking good all the time, one has to dress up for some grocery shopping, which can be very troublesome.

 

What do you think about plastic surgery?

In my view, plastic surgery is for those in need, for example, a burn to the face, poor bone development, obesity. It is reasonable as long as it does not affect one’s health. However, undergoing plastic surgery in search of beauty to others’ liking is far from a healthy phenomenon. Overdoing it can become stranger.

 

 

Women and Men

 

Who do you think has life easier, men or women? Why?

I would say men. When compared with women, men are not subject to a glass ceiling(無形限制) in the workplace; they are not expected to stay at home and take care of children; and they tend to be less sentimental and, by this, I mean less bothered by trivial matters.

 

 What are the responsibilities of a father to his family?

First and foremost, a father is there to support his family: to give them a sense of security, particularly at times of adversity(逆境) where they might be at a loss as to what to do and how to do it. They might collapse in the absence of such staunch(堅定的) support. A father is also his wife’s best partner. In most cases, the wife is a working mom, torn(被撕裂) between her work and household duties. She needs unfailing(一貫的) support from him if she has any chance of success both at work and at home.

 

 What are the responsibilities of a mother to her family?

In modern society, a mother’s responsibilities are no different from a father’s, and in most cases, they might be more than those of the latter. With gender equality, a mother is often a working mom, bringing in income which secures the financial well-being of the family. No matter whether she works or not, she always takes care of her children and help them sort out(處理) things, as in the past.

 

 Are there different expectations for sons and daughters?

Yes, sons are expected to be brave, courageous, or even tough, whereas daughters are expected to be gentle, quiet, or well-mannered. Traditional norms are that parents have higher expectations for their sons than their daughters, for example, in terms of academic results, career development, or financial well-being. Fortunately, such stereotypes have given way because of gender equality.

 

 What jobs are deemed(認為) as appropriate for men but inappropriate for women?

Jobs that require a lot of physical strength, such as construction(建築) or mining(礦業), are more suitable for men than women. Similarly, jobs with a high risk of getting hurt, such as those of soldiers or firefighters, are more for men, though it must be said that some women are not afraid of taking up such jobs, proving that they are as good as men.

 

 Is it OK for men to look sad?

I think so. I do not subscribe to(同意) the notion that men have to be tough and should not cry. Indeed, this notion has over the years lost the appeal(吸引力) to most people. Common wisdom has it that it is perfectly fine for men to cry or look sad. It is in their interest to let go the emotions rather than suppress them.