Study Shows Being Handsome Is Horrible

Finally, your life-long struggle is validated.

You and Derek Zoolander both know it’s not easy to be really, really ridiculously good-looking, but now science may finally be on your side.

Researchers at the UCL School of Managment in London recently published a study about the perception of men’s good looks in the workplace in the Journal of Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes. The researchers showed headshots of varying hotness along with resumes to a sample of hiring managers; based on their responses, the researchers concluded that when it comes to a job in a competitive field (like sales), attractiveness can actually be more of a hindrance than a benefit.

Sounds counterintuitive, right? Consider this: Because attractiveness is often equated with competence, managers tend to pass on men they think are good-looking enough to cause a threat. As Dr. Sun Young Lee, the author of the study, says on the university’s website: “Managers are affected by stereotypes and make hiring decisions to serve their own self-interests so organizations may not get the most competent candidates.”

However, The Guardian was quick to point out that there may be an inherent bias for men who look too well-groomed. The assumption is that if you’re spending so much time on your appearance, you couldn’t possibly also crush it in the work department. Clearly, they’ve never met you.

And you incredibily good-looking, fit men might be in trouble in the love department too, because a study from Chapman University this year suggests that men with a little extra heft and huskiness have the most pleasing body type to women.

Ah, the struggle of being devilishly good-looking. Keep your chin up, very hot man. We’re here for you.