The Hot Waitress Economic Index: What?

A world where we talk about economics in relation to the objectification of women? Oh wait, that’s our world… right now.

“An index that indicates the state of the economy by measuring the number of attractive people working as waiters/waitresses. According to the hot waitress index, the higher the number of good looking servers, the weaker the current state of the economy. It is assumed that attractive individuals do not tend to have trouble finding high-paying jobs during good economics times. During poor economic times, these jobs will be more difficult to find and therefore more attractive people will be forced to work in lower paying jobs such as being waiters/waitresses.”

(Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/hot-waitress-economic-indicator.asp#ixzz1gRndZ0J4)

Honestly, when I first came across this, I didn’t think it was a real thing. But, then I found an article on New York Magazine that confirmed my fear. The argument is that when the economy is weak, you can noticeably determine the strength of the economy by the “hotness” of waitresses.

It’s kind of ridiculous at the point where educated professionals talk about the economy in terms of the sexist objectification of women. Not only does this assume “hotness” is an unbiased categorization, but also promotes the idea that this “unbiased categorization” can determine the success of women. I, for one, think that this type of reinforcement encourages women to go to increased lengths to become what society thinks as beautiful, in order apparently be hired in times of economic crisis.

Which brings me to my next topic…

Do you all get really upset when people generalize beauty like it’s an objective quality? I know I do…

Recently I was just hanging out with my roommates watching some good ol’ 30 Rock. They constantly make fun of Tiny Fey for being ugly, which is entertaining because she writes for the show. One of my roommates commented, “I don’t know why there are so many ugly jokes, I think she’s REALY hot.” Another roommate of mine goes, “what? She’s definitely not hot, she’s not terrible but doesn’t have any of the qualities that would make her really attractive..”

I was really intrigued by this.. what makes one “conventionally” beautiful? Being stick skinny, tan with big boobs and long hair wearing skimpy clothing? Maybe, but I think not.

It was so refreshing to hear my roommate talk about finding women who don’t have those qualities as being really attractive. As classifiedsarcastic recently talked about, why should we be pressured to act and dress and be a certain way just because society tells us to be a certain way? I say, if you want to cut your hair, cut your hair! If you want to wear sweatpants everyday, wear sweatpants everyday! If you like eating caloric foods, eat them!!!

It’s really upsetting to me when I hear my friends being manipulated by what society thinks is pretty/attractive, like not cutting their hair because men don’t like short hair, or not wearing make-up when they lounge around the house because they think people will think they are ugly if they don’t. And the same goes for men, it kills me when I hear women who are against conventional gender norms for women, yet they hold the same standards to men, “clean shaven, toned, and tall.” Sound familiar?

These stereotypes, just, make me sad. And its true, many many people do not think this way. But many many people do.

I’d like to encourage everyone to challenge these norms and ask “why?” whenever possible. I honestly believe, the more we challenge this gender based normative thinking, the more we can break it down, and the happier and healthier society will be.

Have a wonderful winter break!