Lesson 75 : [You Better Be Good-Looking to become a politician ]

[MTM 운영자]

[You Better Be Good-Looking

to become a politician ]

  

Are you dreaming of becoming a politician one day?

Then, it’s import!ant to remember - first impressions mean everything. If you’re good-looking, you’ll find this easier than if you are not! According to a new study by Australian researchers, good-looking politicians are likely to have more support from people than from those who aren’t.

They found that candidates who are better-looking generally added an extra 1.5 to 2 percentage points to their votes.

＂For both male and female candidates, it helps to be better-looking,＂said Andrew Leigh, an Australian economist from the Australian National University, who led the research. However, Leigh found out once a politician becomes well-known, looks are less import!ant. This is because the study showed that Australians thought some of the most successful male politicians were very ugly.

For example, in Leigh’s study, conservative Prime Minister John Howard was rated as one of the ugliest politicians in Australia, but his career is quite remarkable as the nation’s second-longest serving prime minister.

＂Beauty matters more for challengers than for incumbents. This suggests that looks affect first impressions.

Once voters come to know a politician, however, their physical appearance does not matter as much,＂said Leigh. So, in the end, what’s more import!ant for politicians are not their looks but how well they serve their people!

▶ Key words and expression‎!s  

-politician:

ex) A president is a politician who makes political remarks, Roh said. I am required to make political remarks.

-first impressions:

ex) First impressions are the most lasting. or The first blow is half the battle.

-support:

ex) I was supported by the hope for the future

-candidates:

ex) After meeting with the press corps, the candidate took off for his next scheduled appearance on this ten day bus tour.

-remarkable:

ex) Yes, the Campbell brothers are a remarkable team, aren't they?

▶Dialogue 1

Last Saturday, Angela went on a blind date. Today she met her friend Eric for lunch and they are talking about her blind date.

Eric: “Hey, I heard you went on a blind date recently.”
Angela: “Yeah, but who told you that?”
Eric: “Vanessa told me. She said she hooked you up with a guy named Joe.”
Angela: “Yeah. She fixed me up on a blind date.”
Eric: “So, did you have a good time?”
Angela: “Well, not really. He’s not my type.”
Eric: “What’s he like?”
Angela: “Ugh! He has a big head! He talked about how smart he was the entire time.”
Eric: “That terrible? No one likes arrogant people.”
Angela: “Of course not. It was so boring and unpleasant.”
Eric: “So, what do you look for in a man?”
Angela: “Well, I like someone who is sweet, humorous and considerate.”
Eric: “Are you talking about me? I didn’t know you were interested in me. Why didn’t you say so earlier?”
Angela: “Stop joking around. If you know someone like that, please let me know. Ok?”
Eric: “Alright, if I ever find that kind of guy!”

■The Meaning of the Expression‎!

"He has a big head": "그는 머리가 크다"가 아니라 "그는 거만한 사람이다"라는 의미입니다. 잘난 체하는 거만한 사람을 "big head"라고 표현한답니다.

▶Discussion Questions

1. According to the article, what is the relationship of good looks to becoming a politician?
2. Is good looks all that matters in becoming a good politician?
3. Who is PM John Howard?

4. What percentage for beauty and what percentage for brains do you want in an ideal leader?
5. How import!ant is good looks to you?

6. Do you think that a good looking politician means that the politician will be good?

7. How many percentage points extra for good looks?

8. After the election, does looks mean as much?

9. Which is most import!ant looks or service to the people?

10. Should looks be a reason for someone to be elected?