Beauty conversation questions

This class could be used as an introduction to a class on Susan Boyle. Her YouTube video is here.

Beauty definitions

 * What makes a person beautiful?
 * What makes a person ugly?
 * Do you think the concept of beauty is the same today as it was 100 years ago? If not, how has it changed?
 * Do you think the concept of beauty is the same in all societies? If not, how might other societies differ?
 * How is beauty defined in your society?
 * What sorts of things affect our perception of beauty? What causes us to think that a certain thing is “beautiful”?
 * Are only young people beautiful?
 * Although we usually think about people being visually beautiful, there other ways of being “beautiful”? Can you think of any?
 * There is an English proverb: “Beauty is only skin deep”. What do you think it means and do you agree with the concept?
 * Another proverb is “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. What do you think this means? Do you agree with it?
 * How important is it to you that your partner is good looking?
 * Can babies be beautiful or are they all universally ugly?
 * Is beauty in the eye of the beholder?

Effects

 * Do we expect more from beautiful people? Do we expect them to be friendlier or funnier?
 * Do you think that beautiful people are usually more successful? If so, in what way?
 * Do you think that beauty can ever be a disadvantage? When, and in what way?
 * Do we think less of people if they wear old-fashioned clothes and have untidy hair?
 * Is there more pressure on women to be beautiful than there is on men? Why should this be?

Show business

 * Are all pop stars and showbiz people, in general, beautiful? Who can you think of in show business who is not beautiful?
 * Who do you think is the most beautiful actor actress working today?
 * How important is image and marketing (as opposed to talent) in the pop industry?
 * What is your opinion of beauty competitions like Miss World and Miss Universe?

Changing yourself

 * Do you spend much (or any) time making yourself up before going out?
 * What is your opinion of men wearing makeup?
 * What is your opinion of using botox to remove wrinkles?
 * What do you think of the idea of having plastic surgery to improve your looks?
 * What should be the minimum age at which people can choose cosmetic surgery?
 * Would you have (or do you have) a tattoo. What is your opinion of tattoos?
 * If you don't have a tattoo and would like to have one - what image would you like and where would you like to have it?
 * What is your opinion of these piercings?
 * Ear (one)
 * Ear (various)
 * Nose
 * Eyebrow
 * Lip
 * Nipple
 * Other more “intimate” piercings.