Quote From: devralyneaI think some great points were made on today's show. 
 
I know I have had an easier time in life because I'm pleasant to look at, but I've always noticed how others react to the less desirable people. From a very young age I championed the underdogs, and made those less popular kids my best friends. Eventually, I became home-educated so I was no longer subjected to such stereo-typing. 
 
While I don't jugde a book by it's cover completely, I have to admit to having bias in regards to dating. I'll talk to any one being friendly and attempt to be as friendly as I can back to them (I'm an introvert so I struggle sometimes with strangers). I'm also a bit dumb in knowing who might be coming onto me. But for the obvious ones, I've sifted through the mess and learned to stop saying "yes" to everyone just because they had the strength to ask. (The lesson there was learned when my foster sister married the first guy I dated after I gave up on him after two weeks for being immature, I also didn't find him attractive. He was abusive and played mind games with her. She's since left him, but I learned not everyone deserves a chance.) 
 
So what are my biases? I am turned off by piercings, tatoos, smoking, excessive drinking, sloveness, judgemental behaviours (meaning those who continually point out other's shortcomings which makes me always wonder what they are saying about me when I'm not there) ... the list seems to contain less outward appearance and more characteristics "flaws", something which you can only learn about by getting to know the person better. However, I married a smoker (who promises he'll quit before we have kids), and have dated guys with tatoos and piercings, after making it clear I didn't think it would progress because we had different life views.  
 
I also try to make it clear to these people that I don't judge them for their decisions, we merely don't walk the same path. I applaud anyone having the strength to follow their bliss in this cookie-cutter world. I further applaud those with the strength and patience to wait it out and get to know the person better. 
 
I don't concider myself "normal", I enjoy life in my way so I can be a bit quirky. People either get me or they don't. That has made tolerance for other "weirdos" a priority in my life. I've made friends with unlikely people, even married someone who didn't fit what I thought I'd get "stuck" with (meaning a goody-two shoes) thanks to my religious upbringing.  
 
I always try to take time to look in someone's eyes. In that way, I've routed out some "ugly" people and found the gems. Two of the "ugly" ones could be male models based on their exterior, and they were always confused about why I never liked them.  
 
Beauty has always been more than skin deep for me, and we should find ways to express that to our children, as well as uphold it in our lives as examples. 
"While I don't jugde a book by it's cover completely, I have to admit to having bias in regards to dating. I'll talk to any one being friendly and attempt to be as friendly as I can back to them (I'm an introvert so I struggle sometimes with strangers). "
Oh my God, I am just like you!! I always try to be as nice as possible to anyone(even strangers even though I might kind of struggle with them) It's hard but I don't take that as an excuse to be rude to strangers.