LOOKS DO MATTER

 LOOKS DO MATTER

Yes, the topic looks queer; yet it tries to substantiate the intended idea. It is a matter of getting convinced for us to pursue a line of progress, however weak we are on matters of choice. To, have things clear, please read on. Consider the following situations, where in we need to arrive at a quick decision. You admit your son to a school, as you are a new comer to that town. In an attempt to ascertain the feasibility of the idea, would you not visit a couple of schools to see which of them is a better place?  How would you determine, the better of the two? The foremost consideration would be ‘presentation’ or the appearance of that school, its neatness, tidy upkeep or structural security and the buildings. Now, let us ask ourselves “Are good looking schools –good”? The second ‘good’ goes beyond the realms of ‘looks’. It tries to assess the human resource [Teachers/administrators] to help the child’s overall development. Human mind accords value to appearance / looks which spontaneously ‘impress’ the opinion. So, automatic preference is driven by looks except when criteria like long distance / or inexperienced faculty dampen the enthusiasm.

SITUATION-2

For a strange reason, we take ill in our new place. We have no idea about the place or the medical assistance thereof. We visit a nursing home for consultation/ medical attention. Before we stand a chance of getting cured, it is necessary that we develop confidence about the Physician who is to treat us. If the person happens to be ‘sickly looking’ and puny, we would have more hesitation to discuss any further with that physician - no matter how qualified the person’s name plate suggests. On the other hand a well built healthy, tall physician convinces of our having landed on the right source of help. Would we not be happy if we are rightly convinced of being under ‘right care’?

SITUATION- 3

Now, on to the class-room situation. Imagine the status of a student who has to learn from good teachers. Beginners in Schools /Colleges require to place faith on their teachers to steer them to comfort through methodic exposure of the subject. Just as the medical practitioner, a teacher ought to be convincing of his/her prowess to elegantly teach even intricate domains of the subject. Obviously, physical presentation of self holds the key to convince learners of the teacher’s ability to deliver the goods.  None can edit his/her genes to make self ‘appealing’. But, one can do a bit to ‘eliminate’ appalling looks by being neatly dressed [does not mean ‘rich’ dress], as presentation of intended seriousness. Tall persons among teachers readily win half the battle before it begins; the really meritorious sustain ‘such’ faith from learners. Persons of ‘not-so-convincing’ looks need to take extra care to enter the good books of listeners. Once the caliber of the teacher is recognized, students seldom pay attention/ heed to persons who are ‘merely good looking’.    Teachers have the natural advantage of ‘inherited accolade’ by batches of students who transmit the idea of the specific teachers being brilliant exponents of teaching/ presenting details in a delightful way. The general belief that ‘good looking’ are ‘good on the job’ is common faith though not true.

Prof. K. Raman