The Washington times., 1919-09-08
The Venus in
Business
By Eleanor Gilbert.
Author aThe Ambitious Woman in
Bu6fneEE.D

A1NANE A1G A441AAA0A-A " O4AAA-A
BusinesE."
THE head Of a business employ
ment bureau recently con-
fessed to me that when Mr.
Average Business Man telephones
his requirements for a woman ste
nographer he will almost invariably
specify that she be 'good-looking,"
or young" And he deplored this
tendency, because the young ste
nographer was often desired for the
simple reason that her slight expe-
rience made it necessary to pay her
only a small salary. Also when Mr.
Average Business Man was salts
fed with the looks of his stenog-
rapher he engaged, he most fire.
quently was dissatisfied with her
work.
Inquiries in other directions con-
firmed this statement. The tired
business man is apparently quite
satisfied to employ men who fall
short Of ApOllO-like proportions,
but 10 make up for II he wants
Venus at the typewriter. That seems
just a oil unreasonable.
II the young business girl nova
days is ambitious to meet the eff
cheney ideals OF many offices she
will, at that rate. not only have 10
lear5 how to spell and pUnCtUate
and reckon, but she will have TO
take a postgraduate course in
beauty as one Of the prime requi-
sites Of commercial success.
And M
equip herself for the varying beauty
standards? VIII the high schools
and business colleges which get
information on business practice
from business offices also get
beauty standards from business
men which viii form a valuable
part OF the students cuddiculum9
The situation is absurd and dis
GsJrous TO the young girl who takes
up any business seriously. II is the
painted. powdered, fufed-tO-the
nth-power girl who on sheer at
traction tof a kind often tempo
rarily succeeds where the Dlainer
but more efficient one fails. As a
rule this type OF young woman is
so much prcoccupied with her phys
ical charms and devotes so many
little minutes during the day to
keeping her hair and nails and com
pleXion in the morning splendor
that her work is of secondary i'm
portance. Many a shrewd business
man employs only very plain girls.
because he hopes that the plain girl
can forget her possible personal
charms during business hours and
he knows the beauty" never can.
There is no mistaking the fact,
however, that personal charm, bub-
bling spirits, eXuberant good health.
breeziness. cheerfuIness and smart
dress are attractive in business as
they are in social life, and they will
continue to be a factor in employ
ment as long as men and women
continue to love beauty
Even IL a man has the most i'm
personal attitude toward his wo-
men employees most business
men have-his desire TO see his en-
ployes looking neat and attractive
is really as justihable as his pains
to have his office equipment neat
and Up-to-date.
But IL isn't necessary TO he q
replica Of a Dresden doll or a Paris
ian manikin in order to present an
attractive appearance for business,
Plenty Of air, walks outdoors in the
early morning or at noon, gym
nasium at night, II indulged in
regularly, will give a vigor Of body,
elasticity Of step, clear eyes and
the bubbliHg good spirits that 20
with good health and are peFan-
nially attractive,