I found this article very interesting on several levels (not just in the context of weight, although there's some interesting, and rather disturbing, references to that). Out of interest, would any of you be reluctant to take exercise classes from an instructor who is clearly overweight?

http://www.usatoday.com/money/workpl...ias-usat_x.htm

AND I can't imagine why anyone would think a short person is less intelligent/competent! (yeah, I'm a shade over 5'2").

That was interesting. I agree to a point that we should not be hired according to are looks but then again there are jobs that certain people should not have. I don't want an over weight police officer trying to run after the guy that just held me up at gun point. Our military should be fit. Certain jobs require you to be fit. Now on the other hand I don't care if my airline attendant is over weight. So how do you draw such lines?

This did make me think twice about how I dress on the job. I tend to be real casual because I'm on second shift. Maybe I should rethink that.

Great article. Thanks for posting it, Jill. And no, I would not be reluctant, as long as she could demonstrate good energy and form -- and had a personality I liked. What else would I care about? I'm interested in being led by an instructor, not becoming them!

I saw something about that on CNN awhile back, a study that showed physical appearance really does have an effect over who gets the job. And Not in a way of the nicer dressed person, but in a way of the skinny blonde with big breasts is more likely to get the job than the slightly over weight, disproportional woman who is more qualified. Pretty sad that some stereotypes are true

Very sad and frustrating indeed.

I beleive that the world has not come all that far when it comes to physical appearances.


Linda

I would not be reluctant to take a exercise class from an overweight instructor as long as he/she knows their stuff! In fact I may be more willing to take a class with him/her and feel more comfortable than if they were thin.
As to the bias, with the more attractive people making more money; never is that as apparent than in serving. I work with some very well-put together people who can pull in that $$ like crazy! Makes me turn green somedays. Of course, being nice looking doesn't guarantee you'll make money if you are a lousy server or have a horrible personality those factor into it too. Personally, I think serving/waitressing have alot in common with being a politician in that you have to charm people and make them like you and trust you. Just my humble opinion, perhaps a little jaded by the fact I don't really like being a waitress.

I think appearance does matter but not as to height or weight or beauty. I tend to look more at how a person is dressed. I have more confidence in people that are dressed tidily and are clean about their person.

I guess that there is a misconception that overweight people don't care about their appearance or they wouldn't be overweight.

I try to work real hard because I don't want people to think ~ she is another fat lazy person. I feel like sometimes I work harder than some of the others because I am trying to fight that stereotype.