What do you think of the notion that local guys are less attractive than foreign guys?
So asked the host to the top five finalists of the Miss Singapore Universe 2006 pageant. Interesting question, with even more interesting answers. Contrary to popular belief that local girls, especially the better-looking ones, are all Sarong Party Girls who only go for Caucasians, all the five contestants claimed they prefer local guys over everyone else.
I always watch the annual pageant, not because I can poke fun at the caliber of girls who made it into the finals, but because the questions posed are really interesting, And it really takes someone quick-witted to be able to come up with a good answer instantly under the pressure of thousands of eyes focusing on her.
There have been controversy over previous Miss Singapore pageants. There was the hype about how they speak “poor” English, peppered with lots of mispronunciation. There was also the hype that local girls “cannot make it” when placed internationally.
This year it was the hype on the girls not just having beauty, but brains too, as evidenced from the number of post-graduate degree holders as finalists. But in the first place, with kids getting more and more exam-smart, perhaps it is not that difficult to study so much anymore.
In recent years, there have been debates going round that all these Miss Universe pageants should not be mere beauty pageants, but also to test on smarts, personality, charisma, warmth and capability.
My own opinion is they can say whatever they like to defend, but on the bottom line, those that made it to the finals were those who banked on their looks. In the first place, if the girls are not tall, elegant, slim, svelte, with an hour glass figure, no cellulite, good skin and hair, can they even make it through the selection round no matter how smart or capable they are?
Just like the new winner. She is tall, with a curvy silhouette and bigger assets than the rest, but the way she answers the question is not as good as some others. Besides, I find the first runner-up better-looking, sweeter face and prettier smile, and answered the question in a better way too. Except she is slimmer and shorter.
So, to be the winner, it is a combination of height + elegance + BIG BOOBS. How smart or pretty you are does not seem to take into any account at all. At least that is the impression I get.
Anyway, my own answer to the above question?
Local guys, stereotypically Chinese guys, may not have the physique as compared to foreign guys, stereotypically Caucasians. But that does not mean all Chinese guys are plain-looking. There are also Caucasian guys who are just normal-looking, not the gorgeous Hollywood type of hunks. Similarly, there are also Chinese guys who are good-looking.
That aside, attraction is not just physical. Guys can be attractive mentally, by being quick-witted and smart. They can also be attractive in terms of character. So, to determine how attractive a guy is, one must see beyond the looks into the personality and senses.
Local guys can have a combination of looks, personality and smarts, just like foreign guys. Thus, it is not true that local guys are less attractive, because guys are the same and function the same way no matter which country or skin colour they were born under.
So the above notion is wrong. There are attractive guys everywhere, be it local or foreign, just like there are also pricks everywhere, be it local or foreign. One just has to look for the right one.
Now I seriously wonder how many points the judges would give me for my answer. Probably a failing grade.
So asked the host to the top five finalists of the Miss Singapore Universe 2006 pageant. Interesting question, with even more interesting answers. Contrary to popular belief that local girls, especially the better-looking ones, are all Sarong Party Girls who only go for Caucasians, all the five contestants claimed they prefer local guys over everyone else.
I always watch the annual pageant, not because I can poke fun at the caliber of girls who made it into the finals, but because the questions posed are really interesting, And it really takes someone quick-witted to be able to come up with a good answer instantly under the pressure of thousands of eyes focusing on her.
There have been controversy over previous Miss Singapore pageants. There was the hype about how they speak “poor” English, peppered with lots of mispronunciation. There was also the hype that local girls “cannot make it” when placed internationally.
This year it was the hype on the girls not just having beauty, but brains too, as evidenced from the number of post-graduate degree holders as finalists. But in the first place, with kids getting more and more exam-smart, perhaps it is not that difficult to study so much anymore.
In recent years, there have been debates going round that all these Miss Universe pageants should not be mere beauty pageants, but also to test on smarts, personality, charisma, warmth and capability.
My own opinion is they can say whatever they like to defend, but on the bottom line, those that made it to the finals were those who banked on their looks. In the first place, if the girls are not tall, elegant, slim, svelte, with an hour glass figure, no cellulite, good skin and hair, can they even make it through the selection round no matter how smart or capable they are?
Just like the new winner. She is tall, with a curvy silhouette and bigger assets than the rest, but the way she answers the question is not as good as some others. Besides, I find the first runner-up better-looking, sweeter face and prettier smile, and answered the question in a better way too. Except she is slimmer and shorter.
So, to be the winner, it is a combination of height + elegance + BIG BOOBS. How smart or pretty you are does not seem to take into any account at all. At least that is the impression I get.
Anyway, my own answer to the above question?
Local guys, stereotypically Chinese guys, may not have the physique as compared to foreign guys, stereotypically Caucasians. But that does not mean all Chinese guys are plain-looking. There are also Caucasian guys who are just normal-looking, not the gorgeous Hollywood type of hunks. Similarly, there are also Chinese guys who are good-looking.
That aside, attraction is not just physical. Guys can be attractive mentally, by being quick-witted and smart. They can also be attractive in terms of character. So, to determine how attractive a guy is, one must see beyond the looks into the personality and senses.
Local guys can have a combination of looks, personality and smarts, just like foreign guys. Thus, it is not true that local guys are less attractive, because guys are the same and function the same way no matter which country or skin colour they were born under.
So the above notion is wrong. There are attractive guys everywhere, be it local or foreign, just like there are also pricks everywhere, be it local or foreign. One just has to look for the right one.
Now I seriously wonder how many points the judges would give me for my answer. Probably a failing grade.
7 comments:
I thought SPGs prefers caucasians simply because they are stereotypically wealthier even though they can be no more good looking than Brad Pitt's arm pitt?
Firstly, this was on national TV. Would any of them will really say it out loud if they feel that local guys sucks? I think not.
To the SPG, there are 2 main allures - wealth and personality, with one being mainly based on their own perception. This is from what I have gleaned.
These gals have convinced themselves that all western guys are much better character wise (caring, etc) compared to asian guys. It does not help the case when in general, westerners are better at being charming under any situation, while asian guys are reluctant to express themselves. (I so can relate)
As for the wealth, well, most expats do get better pay and better perks, this much is true.
I have a thought about these 'beauty pageant' questions. Will blog it later.
to me,whether a man's attractive has got nothing to do with his race.
it's got everything to do with what he is, and what his family is.
I didn't watch the show. So any of the finalists laughed at the question, scorned the judges for such a joke & insisted for another question instead?
None of them were that daring, eh? ;)
The imp is in a class of her own :D.
Not many guys (for example) would think like this:
"Wow... what a hot gal! I wonder how her father would be like..."
(Do not take in the wrong context :P)
Leecooper : Wealth aside, Caucasians do have more warmth and are generally more chivalrous than local guys, who are still generally rather shallow and chauvinistic.
Ole Wolvie : Actually, national TV or not, someone who really has something to say about this issue would say it out. But that aside, I guess everyone, like a well-behaved typical Singaporean, will go with the norm cos all want to clinch the top prize.
Imp : Yes, that is true.
Anon_X : As I said, typical Singaporeans will never be that daring.
Saying things in private, with a couple of friends, over a drink? Sure, why not.
Saying those in front of the whole nation (those of us on the bus were not spared), especially when quite a few of the local guys that you consider "inferior" could have been voting for you watching? I don't think so.
I am not a local guy, but I should point out that your response to Leecooper is a lot like how an SPG would think.
Here's the litmus test:
How can you be sure that they are not just being warm and charming on the surface only?
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