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A TikToker has argued the benefits of so-called 'pretty privilege' are limited, claiming there's a downside to it.
Shye Lee, who runs her own social media and business strategist company called 7 Figure Creators, weighed in after the hashtag #prettyprivilege became a trending topic on TikTok and has attracted more than 300 million views.
In case you didn't know, 'pretty privilege' describes a person getting special or preferential treatment throughout life because of their beauty and good looks.
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This can range from scoring free drinks at a bar, to securing free or exclusive entry into venues, or attracting a 'rich guy, athlete or a rapper'.
People might treat someone with more generosity simply because they're attracted to them.
According to Shye, there's a not-so pretty side of 'pretty privilege', like potentially being kidnapped or not being taken seriously at work.
She wants to know why people want the benefits of 'pretty privilege' so badly after experiencing some awkward situation seemingly because of her looks.
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She said: "I’m concerned for everyone who thinks those are such glamorous privileges. Pretty girls are never taken seriously.”
She suggests 'pretty girls' may attract 'more eyeballs' which could lead to a higher chance of being kidnapped.
"Pretty girls are never taken serious, at their job or anything that has to do with being well-educated educated, by default they think that they're not capable of understanding. Business? Forget about it," she states.
Shye cited one uncomfortable example when she sent a message to a doctor to see if he would be interested in working with her company, only to get the response: "You should totally come to the office so I can examine you [winky face]."
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She also recalled times when guys would stare and cat-call her when out grocery shopping.
She said: "They call you a b*tch because you don't want to talk to them because you don't want to talk to strangers because have you watched the news?"
The 29-year-old from Orlando, Florida told The New York Post: “It’s honestly more of a curse than a privilege."
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When it comes to making friends, Lee claimed she's struggled with repeatedly getting comments like: "Oh, my God, I thought you were a b*tch but when I got to know you, you’re actually very kind."
She's previously fallen out with a friend who she believes was struggling with 'insecurity and jealousy', saying: “I started noticing that she just didn’t like me, because so many other people liked me."
"Honestly I feel like no one gets screwed over more than the pretty girl," she added.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/shye.leeTopics: Life, Real Life, Beauty, TikTok