‘Erotic Capital’, a vital rate of exchange?

At last we’re seeing glimpses of the sun. Consequently the pavements are full of jolly folk practically skipping along on their way to work, slightly shivery, in shirt sleeves when only days ago they were clad from head to foot in Puffa jackets and thermals (or was that just me?!).

It doesn’t matter that the rays haven’t been showering us long enough to bin our bronzing powder, when a simple smile and a smidge of sociability have become as important as qualifications, at least that’s what a study from the London School of Economics and Political Science suggests.

We’ve seen this powerful combination of good looks and savoir faire being used as a commodity by celebrities and (some) politicians for a while now: some are lucky enough to have brains added to the mix like The Obama’s, some have been less cerebral in their means of courting the press to become successful like Katie Price, who makes no apology for making an asset of her assets. David Beckham may be football pitch perfect but it’s his brand of personality which has kept him on the billboards.

Sociologist Dr Catherine Hakim, who published the report, has coined the term ‘Erotic Capital’ and it looks like a commodity those of us who’re academically challenged would be well advised to add to our CVs, along with economic, cultural and social capital.

Erotic Capital is a combination of six main factors, says the Doctor, and the good news is we women have the edge over men!

They are: beauty, sexual attractiveness, social graces, liveliness, social presentation and sexuality performance – and a seventh, fertility, in countries where that is an indicator of success.

That’s all well and good but anyone with kids will need a good dollop of serum and sleep to be able to make headway with any of these, whether or not, they’re blessed with the genes of Grace Kelly.

But the reason women have the advantage is because, apparently, we tend to work harder than men at being physically and socially attractive and at dressing well. There you go girls, all the effort is worth it!

It also has something to do with there being a dearth of women readily available to satisfy the increased male sexual appetite, especially with the over 35s, according to a number of sexual surveys from around the world. It makes women in great demand. Try telling that to my wonderful girlfriends who are currently without a handsome hunk to ‘trade’ with.

Personally I can’t see much difference between Erotic Capital and good, old fashioned Charm but knowledge is power – you recognise it and in the workplace of this ‘sexualised society’ you maximise its potential: capitalising on the capital – and in the Capital, because believe me you need it when you’re negotiating who gets the last seat on the Underground.

Dr Hakim acknowledges that it’s no secret that beautiful people have always found their looks advantageous but that gender equality evens things out, whereas “erotic capital is something all of us trade on and we should see it as a major constituent of our social lives. It has growing importance in the workforce,” she says.

I can’t help feeling cynical about it but it’s ridiculous to pretend we don’t already do the best we can to impress people we think could help us. Only yesterday I had my first webcam conference and I made darn sure I was ready for my close-up, Mr DeMille.

I had more make-up on than a transvestite and set the webcam facing my posh curtains with the light shining on me to make me look like there was Vaseline on the lens as it focused on my glam 1940s film set, all the while resting nonchalantly on my hand to cover up my double chin!

Was I inadvertently making use of my Erotic Capital, or just making a meal of it? If I get the contract I will know whether or not it worked. And if I do I will consider using my capital to set up a venture for the Nation’s Erotic Capitalists.

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