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eucleiaFrom a bisexual (and I use this "term" to describe that whilst I prefer men, I do crush on women in a non-platonic way) point of view, I can see why people say that L.E. has a very nice body. All that being said, people stop being "hot" for me, no matter how hot their body, when they dress in a way that is clearly provocative and indecent for their position.
Now, I am aware that "indecent" is a relative term and that people's perception of it differs from person to person, but while some may argue that Cuddy's propensity to dress... well, the way she does, is no different than power-executives walking into a board meeting dressed in tennis attire to show how they are indeed the boss and can do anything - my opinion is that dressing for recreational activities to power-play people on a purely psychological basis, and dressing in a sexually provocative manner are two entirely different ball games.
Again, I know "sexually provocative" is also a relative term, and there are clear differences between the US and the UK when it comes dressing, and how much skin one can usually show - we are much less tolerant of dressing "revealingly" here in the UK, but also because it's colder ;). However, it's simply my (increasingly strong and frustrated) personal opinion that walking around in a:
- gel/water-bra,
- or an extremely low cut top,
- or both,
- or extremely tight skirt,
- or all of the above,
when your "assets" don't need any help already, and additionally when you are supposed to be:
- the Dean of a hospital, the top-most administrator whom should be respected,
- as well as one of only three females in the position at that,
and you are trying to show that you didn't get there on feminine wiles (again, not saying that Cuddy didn't work her way to the top, but it doesn't help perception), then my opinion is that it is most emphatically NOT appropriate for your position.
Now I am aware I am being overtly harsh, but I can't see someone in real life garnering and holding Cuddy's amount of respect for too long if one dressed for a prolonged amount of time in such a manner. One would also think that she was leading people on. I am also aware that the UK is still very snobby when it comes to class systems, and even if such terms are no longer used, one still very much judges a book by it's cover. I'm not sure if it's the same in America, but the lingering unconsciously-aware-of-but-not-consciously-thought-of class system is one of the reasons we dress so severely.
Personally, I do not have great "assets"; in fact I have a lack of them. One would then think I would just have to, within reason, "make the best of what I've got", not unlike Cuddy (except I am in debate about the 'reasonable' part), but I don't. I'm also in a (currently) male-dominated academic area (but this is sloooooowly changing). In fact, when meeting time comes along, I dress even more severely and stick on a poker face, which basically forces everyone else at the table to take me seriously.
Under the explanations I gave above for my personal opinions, those are the reasons why I have become progressively exasperated and downright irritated at the show pushing the idea at viewers on what a supposedly hot, sexy, and "strong" woman Cuddy is, when I think her actions and behaviour (I speak not only of her sense of propriety here but many other things including the metaphorical House/Cuddy "dance") completely undermine her role as the figurehead "strong woman" of the series. Such is the case, I seriously wonder what kind of message it is sending out to the general public. [I could rant even more about the traditional perfect Nuclear Family that she seems to want so bad, but I'll leave that for some other time.]
I think she was living up to the "strong woman" archetype back during seasons 1 through to about half of season 3, and that is definitely not the problem. I looked up to her to an extent (hearing all those tidbits about how she was one of only three female Deans of Medicine and perhaps also the youngest). My frustration is that Cuddy is still implied to be the strong female figurehead, and I do not think this is true any longer.
I read once that bad writing, whether for published fiction or fanfiction, was to tell the readers what to think. This is most often done by having other characters speak/think certain things regarding the character's personality/looks/characteristics/behaviours which portray them in a good light (i.e. Wilson apparently "supports" Huddy, some executives have stated/opined that Cuddy is a "strong" woman/female). Generally, this is what leads to what everyone here knows as the dreaded Mary Sue. *scratches head* I think we've reached that stage already.
Originally a reply here.
Now, I am aware that "indecent" is a relative term and that people's perception of it differs from person to person, but while some may argue that Cuddy's propensity to dress... well, the way she does, is no different than power-executives walking into a board meeting dressed in tennis attire to show how they are indeed the boss and can do anything - my opinion is that dressing for recreational activities to power-play people on a purely psychological basis, and dressing in a sexually provocative manner are two entirely different ball games.
Again, I know "sexually provocative" is also a relative term, and there are clear differences between the US and the UK when it comes dressing, and how much skin one can usually show - we are much less tolerant of dressing "revealingly" here in the UK, but also because it's colder ;). However, it's simply my (increasingly strong and frustrated) personal opinion that walking around in a:
- gel/water-bra,
- or an extremely low cut top,
- or both,
- or extremely tight skirt,
- or all of the above,
when your "assets" don't need any help already, and additionally when you are supposed to be:
- the Dean of a hospital, the top-most administrator whom should be respected,
- as well as one of only three females in the position at that,
and you are trying to show that you didn't get there on feminine wiles (again, not saying that Cuddy didn't work her way to the top, but it doesn't help perception), then my opinion is that it is most emphatically NOT appropriate for your position.
Now I am aware I am being overtly harsh, but I can't see someone in real life garnering and holding Cuddy's amount of respect for too long if one dressed for a prolonged amount of time in such a manner. One would also think that she was leading people on. I am also aware that the UK is still very snobby when it comes to class systems, and even if such terms are no longer used, one still very much judges a book by it's cover. I'm not sure if it's the same in America, but the lingering unconsciously-aware-of-but-not-consciously-thought-of class system is one of the reasons we dress so severely.
Personally, I do not have great "assets"; in fact I have a lack of them. One would then think I would just have to, within reason, "make the best of what I've got", not unlike Cuddy (except I am in debate about the 'reasonable' part), but I don't. I'm also in a (currently) male-dominated academic area (but this is sloooooowly changing). In fact, when meeting time comes along, I dress even more severely and stick on a poker face, which basically forces everyone else at the table to take me seriously.
Under the explanations I gave above for my personal opinions, those are the reasons why I have become progressively exasperated and downright irritated at the show pushing the idea at viewers on what a supposedly hot, sexy, and "strong" woman Cuddy is, when I think her actions and behaviour (I speak not only of her sense of propriety here but many other things including the metaphorical House/Cuddy "dance") completely undermine her role as the figurehead "strong woman" of the series. Such is the case, I seriously wonder what kind of message it is sending out to the general public. [I could rant even more about the traditional perfect Nuclear Family that she seems to want so bad, but I'll leave that for some other time.]
I think she was living up to the "strong woman" archetype back during seasons 1 through to about half of season 3, and that is definitely not the problem. I looked up to her to an extent (hearing all those tidbits about how she was one of only three female Deans of Medicine and perhaps also the youngest). My frustration is that Cuddy is still implied to be the strong female figurehead, and I do not think this is true any longer.
I read once that bad writing, whether for published fiction or fanfiction, was to tell the readers what to think. This is most often done by having other characters speak/think certain things regarding the character's personality/looks/characteristics/behaviours which portray them in a good light (i.e. Wilson apparently "supports" Huddy, some executives have stated/opined that Cuddy is a "strong" woman/female). Generally, this is what leads to what everyone here knows as the dreaded Mary Sue. *scratches head* I think we've reached that stage already.
Originally a reply here.
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no subject
Date: 2009-11-20 12:36 am (UTC)strong = whore (Carmen, Scarlet etc)
weak = virgin...
which Nabokov parodied in Lolita...
though it still doesn't excuse him *snicker*
Woman's strength and liberation is expressed in terms of her being able to have any man she wants... and change partners frequently. Which is in itself derogatory to begin with.
...MEN....
and women frequently consider that their way of feeling *free* as well... SAD^^;
but lately I'm myself quite annoyed by Cuddy's very "male gaze strong female" representation, not to mention she starts to let House get the upper hand...
And yes... dresses help as well... I was wondering - with all the *corporative black* agenda... >.> she looks cheap lately.
no subject
Date: 2009-11-20 01:29 am (UTC)Did you see the movie Erin Brockovich? The woman wore revealing clothes too but she kicked ass, she owned everyone the moment she entered a room, which was the way Cuddy was before. But ever since TPTB started exploring and developing Huddy, she has became a spineless teenage fangirl with a crush whenever she's around House. She practically throws her boobs and ass to his face, seems pleased when he objectifies her and lets him walk all over her all the time, it hurts my eyes :/
And yeah, the camera work doesn't help either, specially in ep 7 with the Patty and Selma scene, much much cringing there.
So to me it always comes down to a question of attitude, if you wanna wear those clothes and be respected, you better be prepared to DEMAND respect (which can be done with how bitchful Cuddy was to House on seasons 1, 2 and a bit of 3), otherwise none of the men will ever take you seriously.
Just wanted to share my opinions, hope you don't mind x)
no subject
Date: 2009-11-24 01:37 pm (UTC)I haven't read Lolita yet, though I think I have heard the name before.
My opinion is that Cuddy has been letting House get the upper hand since the second half of season 3 and onwards from there. I am most greatly annoyed by her representation as a supposed "strong female", because I have seen her as anything but for a long while.
My personal opinion is that just because producers (i.e. those of influential public opinion and in authority over the show) say that Cuddy is a "strong woman", it does not make it so, nor does it mean she is. Their word is not absolute to me, despite their control of the show. In fact it irritates me more, as it gives me the impression that the producers either think:
- their personal beliefs/opinions (because they are in control of the show) holds that much mental leverage and/or worth and are thus trying to press said opinion on their audience by stating said points of view (thus assuming the general public is mindless to a certain extent, and will follow/believe everything they say).
- or that they really do view Cuddy as still a "strong woman", which disturbs me greatly, and which I disagree with for the reasons I stated in the original post.
Well, I know that one could view the need for women to dress sternly in the business world is forcing them to conform to the male-aligned world, and I somewhat agree but only to a certain extent. I mean, men don't walk around with half their crotch hanging out of their pants.
no subject
Date: 2009-11-24 01:44 pm (UTC)but lately her character was really... constructed to cater to certain social expectations? too much of a cliche, how to say - I loose my feeling of believing her character.. you know? too artificial^^; as most of the show lately, to be honest. Though I liked first episode of the latest season, but...
nah it looses the flair - previous season was so much crap... *sad* it had a good start, and good dark humor... >.>
no subject
Date: 2009-11-24 01:54 pm (UTC)I can see what you mean. Her behaviour is contradictory to me, and while she complains about being objectified by House all the time, my personal opinion is that Cuddy subconsciously enjoys the attention.
no subject
Date: 2009-11-24 02:01 pm (UTC)low cleavage - big complexes?
no subject
Date: 2009-11-24 02:22 pm (UTC)My favourite scene with Cuddy, was actually the take-no-shit "Your tie is becoming a Petri Dish [...] I warned you. *SNIP!*" scene back during Maternity in season 1 when she cut off the tie of the guy who was swabbing.
It might be a whole English/British thing, or it could just be me - I'm not certain. Might even be a combination of both, but her way of dressing does bother me. It was tolerable so long as she demanded the respect she deserved as Dean, and kept a tight grip on her reigns of authority. It wasn't even that bad during the first two seasons or so. Tweed jackets and stuff ;) <3
I have only seen Erin Brockovich once, and that was when I was quite young. I do remember the way she dressed though, yes. She kicked ass, true. :)
I personally dislike dressing in a revealing way, or seeing females dressed in revealing ways when they are at work in high positions though (At home? Whatever. I even lounge in pyjamas. But at work - what is she thinking?) but this is because my personal opinion is that men don't walk around with half their crotch hanging out in formal situations, so neither should I with my breasts.
Attitude is a high percentage of it. I COMPLETELY and totally agree, that you must be prepared to demand respect from your fellow male colleagues if one is working in a male-dominated profession, but I think one must have a sense of propriety as well (which ties back into my male-crotch comment OMG can you imagine if you said that out loud? xDDD).
Yes!! D: Cuddy didn't even straighten up after the whole "Patty and Selma" comment! *headdesks* She I am convinced she likes the attention subconsciously. I hypothesize it's because it makes her feel flattered/good about herself, that someone thinks she's "hot", but it's just a hypothesis based on personal experiences/observations.
No no, I love hearing your opinions. <3 We might not agree 100% of the time, but that to me is not the important nor imteresting thing. What interests me is when we find common ground. :)
no subject
Date: 2009-11-24 02:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-24 02:36 pm (UTC)LOL.. no really, but it's kind of sad, how society cannot really allow a strong woman on stage, unless she is tainted ^^;
Just been reading too much on the topic lately for my research. But as one of the articles said...
good woman - princess, damsel in distress... but strong women, who can take care of themselves, are usually witches^^;
though, I guess Little Mermaid was quite a strong character ^^;