ARTICLE OF THE WEEK: DO LOOKS MATTER?

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."

There are two questions I am often asked by prospective crewmembers: 'Do I need to be a blonde beauty with legs up to here?' or 'Do I need to be tall, dark and handsome?' In essence, what both men and women are asking is 'Do looks matter?' And in the world of luxury yachting, an environment that demands perfection, the answer is yes, they do.

That is not to say that a crewmember must have supermodel measurements or a supermodel face to make it in this industry (trust me, in my yachting years I didn't come across many supermodels who were desperate to swap their lives as perpetual guests to pick a drinks tray and start serving the very people they were once mingling with). In fact, rather than looks, when I talk about appearance in relation to yachts, I am referring to presentation.

Certainly, there are different standards on different yachts and, unfortunately, even in this day and age of equal opportunity and non-prejudice there are captains and/ or yacht owners that refuse to employ anyone that does not fit the stereotypical standards of beauty. However, such discrimination is rare in the industry, with the vast majority of yachts comprising a mix of nationalities, shapes, sizes and ages.

In fact, if you take the time to scan through an online database of advertised yacht positions such as those posted on www.findacrew.net it very quickly becomes evident that most make no mention at all of physical attributes. Rather, the emphasis is on attitude, initiative and personality.

Most yachts are looking for crew that are genuinely enthusiastic (because nothing breeds contempt like boredom) and almost all want a crewmember that will make a concerted and conscientious effort to 'do the right thing' because a positive mindset creates a positive environment.

After all, it is those crewmembers that have a real passion for the sea and are eager to learn all they can about the industry and the countries they visit and themselves and others who ultimately have the most fulfilling experience onboard yachts. Hence, it is a win-win situation. The yacht gains a valuable crewmember, and the crewmember gains an invaluable experience.