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Good Looks May Mean Better Pay
CBS News ^ | April 7, 2005 | Jim Salter

Posted on 04/07/2005 2:11:34 PM PDT by srm913

Why wasn't I born rich instead of handsome? Or so the lament goes.

But the nation's central bank now says that if you're gorgeous, chances are better that you will get paid more than plain folks.

Analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis suggests that good-looking people tend to make more money and get promoted more often than those with average looks. The analysis is published in the April edition of The Regional Economist, the Fed's quarterly magazine.

Research analyst Kristie Engemann and economist Michael Owyang looked at the possible link between appearance and wages by evaluating previous surveys and research. Their conclusion: It helps to be tall, slender and attractive.

Less clear was whether the less attractive are victims of bias, or if good-looking people tend to develop self-confidence and social skills that simply enhance their marketability.

"It doesn't seem like anti-discrimination laws, even if you enforce them strictly, would be a magic bullet," Owyang said.

The researchers cited one study that found a "plainness penalty" of 9 percent in wages - meaning a person with below-average looks tended to earn 9 percent less than those with average looks - and a "beauty premium" of 5 percent.

A study concerning weight showed that women who were obese earned 17 percent lower wages than women of average weight.

Height matters, too, the researchers believe. One study looked at the height of 16-year-olds and the wages they earned later as adults. The taller teens went on to earn an average of 2.6 percent more per additional inch of height.

"Maybe they developed extra confidence early on that their shorter counterparts didn't have," Engemann said.

(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: beauty; salary; workplace
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To: monkapotamus

LOL, I am


41 posted on 04/07/2005 2:51:23 PM PDT by Lekker 1 ("There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be attainable"- Albert Einstein)
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To: Lazamataz
I'm ugly but I'm well paid.

You are not the only one...


42 posted on 04/07/2005 3:00:01 PM PDT by Jeff Gordon (Recall Barbara Boxer)
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To: srm913

This is why I wear my paper bag to work!



43 posted on 04/07/2005 3:00:13 PM PDT by F105-D ThunderChief (That "THUD" you heard was the Collapse of the DemocRats!)
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To: Andy from Beaverton

+2 for anything Stacy Kiebler.


44 posted on 04/07/2005 3:00:31 PM PDT by whee0071
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To: srm913

This registers a 7.5 on the "duh" meter, an 8.6 on the "why me" meter, a 10.2 on the "sucks to be an entrepreneur" meter and a 13.7 on the "rocks to be a trial lawyer" meter.


45 posted on 04/07/2005 3:01:16 PM PDT by whee0071
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

NOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo!!!!!!!

You CRETIN!!!!!
I had a wonderful dinner planned tonight!
Now my appetite is RUINED!!!
Thanks a lot!


46 posted on 04/07/2005 3:03:17 PM PDT by srm913
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Comment #47 Removed by Moderator

To: srm913

You ought to thank me - thinner people make more money too ;-)


48 posted on 04/07/2005 3:26:50 PM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show since 2002 so you don't have to.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
"I'd been wondering why, after 63 years working the White House beat, I'm making $1.85/hour."

ROFLMAO! So true! So true! Now we know why Ingraham and Coulter are paid **so** much, but how do you explain Howie Carr?

49 posted on 04/07/2005 3:27:16 PM PDT by hillary's_fat_a**
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To: hillary's_fat_a**
How do you explain Howie Carr?

The classic "good face for radio"?

50 posted on 04/07/2005 3:35:25 PM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show since 2002 so you don't have to.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Touché.


51 posted on 04/07/2005 3:35:31 PM PDT by srm913
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To: Victoria Delsoul

Ping.


52 posted on 04/07/2005 4:18:06 PM PDT by Alberta's Child (I ain't got a dime, but what I got is mine. I ain't rich, but lord I'm free.)
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To: dfwgator
Hmmm, I figure I must be worth at least double what I'm gitt'n now.


53 posted on 04/07/2005 6:01:04 PM PDT by ancient_geezer (Don't reform it, Replace it!!)
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To: srm913

Nice touch, getting the accent over the e. Hey, you're not FRENCH, are you? ;-)


54 posted on 04/07/2005 6:10:19 PM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show since 2002 so you don't have to.)
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To: Alberta's Child

Maybe 30 – 20 years ago, perhaps. Looks alone aren't enough to get better pay nowadays. :-)


55 posted on 04/07/2005 6:43:51 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul
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To: Victoria Delsoul

You've gotta be kidding. Ain't you a multi-millionaire? ;-)


56 posted on 04/07/2005 8:45:32 PM PDT by Alberta's Child (I ain't got a dime, but what I got is mine. I ain't rich, but lord I'm free.)
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To: Alberta's Child

Hahahaha, best joke of the day.


57 posted on 04/07/2005 8:48:50 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul
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To: Victoria Delsoul

LOL. But I'm serious!


58 posted on 04/07/2005 8:53:16 PM PDT by Alberta's Child (I ain't got a dime, but what I got is mine. I ain't rich, but lord I'm free.)
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To: Alberta's Child

I'm serious too, I posted a song at Amy's. Come take a look.


59 posted on 04/07/2005 8:58:18 PM PDT by Victoria Delsoul
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
I'd rather look like Helen Thomas than be French. I'm just a character-map user by necessity,
English and Scottish by blood,
and American by God.

(And hopping mad I wasted a whole year in college studying Français.)
60 posted on 04/07/2005 8:58:50 PM PDT by srm913
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