While recently engaged in a heated political kitchen round table discussion (sober speak for a tipsy heeing and hawing session), the infamous Doug Hall blurted out a bold and unexpected proclamation: you should vote for who you want to make out with. It was a hilarious exclamation that had many laughing, others turning up their noses in disgust, and still others actually debating the issue with him. Though little was decided in the end, Doug’s bold and unexpected declaration got me thinking: do we ever truly make decisions in our everyday lives based on who we’d make out with? And if so, what things? And furthermore, is it so bad to make decisions based on such seemingly absurd and potentially chauvinistic criteria?

Doug’s pronouncement may have been the result of inebriation, but maybe it wasn’t. And maybe, just maybe there is some truth lurking behind his silliness. Though making decisions based on who we’d make out with might not be what we should do, it may have merit as to what we already do.

I wonder: who among us has chosen to patronize the longer line in the supermarket because it had a more attractive man or woman scanning the produce? And why was it that the better looking guy or gal got the job instead of the dorkier interviewee? Were his qualifications really better or was he just good enough that his ease on the eyes made him a shoo in?

And how about everyday acts of kindness? Are we more likely to hold the door for an attractive person, pull out her chair, or let her board the bus before us than someone a bit more homely looking?

How about when a solicitor requests a charitable donation? Do we dig a little deeper in our pockets for the foxy mama and studly fella than the less than desirable yet equally concerned bleeding heart?

What about other forms of common courtesy? Do we return phone calls and E-mails in a more timely manner when the recipient is attractive? Are we friendlier, more available for help, and more likely to be accommodating to those who stir our loins than those who do not?

I dare say everyone has at one time or another made decisions based on this less than admirable criteria. It’s not that we necessarily want to it’s that we’re all just perverts and can’t help ourselves! So rather than brand Doug a fool for pointing out what very well may be a regular occurrence, perhaps we’d be better off considering our own hypocrisy than painting the scarlet letter on his chest for suggesting something we’re all guilty of doing.

The Age of Political Correctness may have made us too ignorant to speak the truth, but it doesn’t mean we have to deny it as well. It may not be the wisest decision making choices based on looks, but to pretend it never happens and that each of us is completely innocent is about as foolish as we could possibly be.

My advice: rather than pretend looks don’t matter let’s start peering beyond face value for attractiveness. Let’s be nice to everyone rather than just those who pique our physical interest. Let’s stop separating people into attractive and ugly categories and start getting the hots for everyone! Once we lower ourselves off that fantastical too-hot-for-you pedestal we might start seeing the beauty that each person has to offer.

Now about those political decisions…

I’m not suggesting we necessarily choose our country’s representatives based on looks, but then again, maybe I am. When it comes to attractiveness, we all know the ugliest among us aren’t those with the strangest faces and oddest body shapes, but rather those with the ugly hearts. So if someone really wants to pick a winner based on who they’d make out with, so long as they take into account the whole package perhaps that isn’t such bad criteria after all. God knows we could all use a little more attractiveness (honesty, compassion, temperance, friendliness) from our politicians and a lot less of what they’ve been offering.

Call me crazy, call me stupid, and call me a pervert but maybe Doug’s on to something. Or maybe I’m still drunk.