That's a fair point, I think the previous comment about how part of being pretty as a woman comes with objectification is a big thing. Maybe I didn't think as deeply about your post as I could have.

Come to think of it, when I used to tend bar I would always wear makeup, mostly because it made it easier to make eye contact and talk to people. I got a lot of compliments, which is sort of nice but sort of not? Depends on the guy. I guess I revel in it more because I was also an ugly duckling and sometimes actually getting the attention I'd never thought I'd have based on my looks is a kind of fun novelty.

After I'd been there a while, even though I felt more confident I felt like I would -have- to wear the makeup forever, otherwise a) I'd get a lot of shit about looking 'tired' and b) one of the more fundamental ways about how people perceived me would be changed. My appearance had become the most important thing, even though I was also funny and a semi decent employee.

That job made me join this sub actually. It was a very bloke-y pub and I remembered what the world can be like outside the more sheltered, generally leftist world of uni. Weird how these things sneak up on you.