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With this latest findings, I am going to continue wearing my surgical mask even after the pandemic have ended so that the food court / hawker stall / cashier auntie will call me 靓仔，帅哥，yan tau, yen eh... 😁 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/medical-surgical-face-mask-more-attractive-covid19-2434876 SINGAPORE: A study in the United Kingdom has found that men who wear medical masks are perceived as more attractive by members of the opposite sex. Researchers at Cardiff University's School of Psychology found that medical masks made for more attractive coverings than cloth masks and notebooks. The least attractive faces were completely uncovered. This was true whether the men were considered attractive or unattractive before the coverings were introduced, according to the study published in the journal Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications on Monday (Jan 10). The results ran counter to findings of similar research conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, said the authors of the study. A 2016 study in Japan found a "sanitary-mask effect" showing that people associated medical masks with disease, perceiving masked faces as less healthy and hence less attractive. "While medical masks might prime disease, they can also be seen as a sign of being responsible and caring citizens, which may positively impact perceived attractiveness," said the Cardiff University researchers. This was in line with other research conducted during the pandemic that "shows faces wearing medical masks are considered more likely to be ill, but also more socially desirable and trustworthy". THE EXPERIMENT Researchers at Cardiff University conducted their experiment in February 2021, about seven months after face masks were made compulsory in places like supermarkets and public transport in the UK. "Research carried out before the pandemic found medical face masks reduce attractiveness," said Dr Michael B Lewis, one of the study's authors, in an article on Cardiff University's website. "We wanted to test whether this had changed since face coverings became ubiquitous and understand whether the type of mask had any effect." Forty-three female psychology undergraduates were asked to rate 160 male faces for attractiveness on a scale of 1 to 7. These 160 stimuli consisted of 40 male faces in four variations: Full uncovered face, covered by a notebook, covered by a cloth mask and covered by a medical mask. The women were also asked whether they agreed that "face masks have become part of everyday life in the past year" and "the use of face masks is effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19". They showed high levels of agreement with the statements. THE FINDINGS Results showed that faces covered by medical masks were "significantly more attractive" than cloth masks. Faces covered in cloth masks were in turn "significantly more attractive" than uncovered faces. The advantage for covered faces was consistent with general findings that covering facial features increases attractiveness, regardless of which features are covered and the "base attractiveness" of the face, said the study's authors. But "there appears to be an advantage to medical masks beyond this", they added. "The advantage for a cloth mask can be attributed to the effect of occlusion, but the effect of the medical mask goes beyond just hiding undesirable features," the authors said. "It is possible that the additional advantage for medical masks comes from their associations with medical professionals." They added that this effect "may only be present during the COVID-19 pandemic". Dr Lewis said the research shows that the pandemic has "changed our psychology" in how mask-wearers are perceived. "When we see someone wearing a mask we no longer think, 'That person has a disease, I need to stay away,'" he said. "This relates to evolutionary psychology and why we select the partners we do. Disease and evidence of disease can play a big role in mate selection – previously any cues to disease would be a big turn off. "Now we can observe a shift in our psychology such that face masks are no longer acting as a contamination cue."

Anybody noticed that Harvest had dropped their prices ?

New rule makes them eligible for scrap rebate but $10,000 surcharge stays MOTORISTS looking to buy mid- to high-end marques, but do not mind a used car, will have more and possibly cheaper models to choose from, with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) liberalising the import of cars. Changing a regulation put in place in the 1970s, the LTA said yesterday that used cars imported into Singapore will now be eligible for a scrap rebate - which can amount to several hundred thousand dollars for top-end cars like Lamborghinis and Rolls-Royces. Owners get the rebate or preferential additional registration fee (Parf) if they de-register their cars before the 10th year. The rebate can be used to offset taxes for a new car. The LTA's new rule takes effect from Sept 1, and applies to vehicles no older than three years. One other rule affecting imported cars stays unchanged however. Importers will still have to pay a $10,000 surcharge for used cars, on top of all the usual taxes and the certificate of entitlement (COE) required for owning a car here. Mr Neo Nam Heng, president of the Automotive Importers and Exporters Association - a body for parallel importers - cheered the move. 'Used Ferraris, Porsches, BMWs, Mercedes, Lexus - we will start bringing them in soon,' he said. 'We have been lobbying for this for five years,' he said, but added that 'we will keep convincing them to remove the $10,000 surcharge'. Parf benefits were introduced more than 30 years ago to keep the vehicle population young. But imported used vehicles were not eligible - to prevent a population explosion of cheap cars in the pre-COE days. Mr Neo said the latest move will allow car dealers to source for used cars from overseas markets. Imported used cars are likely to be cheaper than local used cars too because they will have a far lower open-market value - on which all car taxes are calculated. But because of the $10,000 surcharge, it is likely that only mid- to high-end used cars will be imported. Each imported used car will be registered using a COE lasting 10 years. But if the owner wishes to enjoy the scrap rebate, he must scrap the vehicle before its 10th year, starting from the time it was originally registered overseas. Even so, he gets a rebate on the unused portion of the COE. Will car buyers go for imported used cars? Traders think so, especially when they can have a used vehicle that is less expensive than a second-hand buy here, and which has a fresh 10-year COE attached to it. And to address concerns of 'buying blind', without knowing the car's history, potential buyers can have the cars checked by vehicle assessors. Enthusiast Kevin Kwee, 37, said: 'It's good news. But sourcing for a quality car with low mileage may be a problem. Average mileage in many markets tend to be higher than Singapore's.' Dealers of new cars were less cheerful. 'This will increase the demand for COEs, and put upward pressure on premiums,' said Motor Traders Association president Michael Wong.

Source: DaimlerChrysler More Dynamic, Impressive and Attractive: Mercedes-Benz Makes New Emphases in the C-Class Stuttgart, Feb 09, 2004 - Four years after its launch, Mercedes-Benz is significantly upgrading the successful C-Class in terms of technology, equipment and design. The suspension, steering and six-speed manual transmission have a more sporty configuration, ensuring that the C-Class offers an even more agile driving experience. From spring 2004 a 141 kW/192 hp supercharged four-cylinder engine will join the engine range available for the Saloon and Estate models. In future the C 220 CDI will have an output of 110 kW/ 150 hp, which is 5 kW/7 hp more than before. With the new 270 kW/367 hp C 55 AMG Mercedes-Benz is offering an eight-cylinder unit for the first time in this model series. The interior of the new C-Class has been upgraded by a new cockpit design with sophisticated new controls, line-specific seats and THERMATIC automatic climate control as standard. The innovative, more scratch-resistant paintwork based on nano-technology is likewise standard. Bi-xenon headlamps with cornering light function, steering-wheel gearshift buttons for the automatic transmission and new audio/navigation systems round off the highly desirable, high-tech specification. Even at standstill the redesigned front end with its bumper, radiator grille and headlamps conveys the dynamic characteristics of this Mercedes model series, which is available as a Saloon, Estate and Sports Coup