Dead Ringer

Whenever we see someone who strongly resembles someone else we always act like it is so surprising.  "Have you ever been told you look just like so and so", or "Oh my gosh, you look just like . . . "

It's always risky to tell someone, "you look just like . . .".  On the one hand, if the person you are talking to likes or admires the person that you think they look just like, then all is good, you have just given them a great ego boost.  But if you tell them they look just like someone they can't stand, or don't like the looks of, well then you have them spinning for days, sometimes for eternity, examining themselves in the mirror, rushing off to get a consultation with a plastic surgeon, and always left to wonder how you could make that comparison.

I don't know the reason we do it, but we all do it.  We like to find similarities between people.  Especially linking up celebrity looks with the everyday Joe.  And no doubt, at times the resemblance is undeniable.  But it seems to me that a lot of people only see the obvious, skin color, hair color or gender.  Apparently we don't spend much time paying attention to detail, looking beyond the black and white and seeing into the gray. Case in point, the recent statement made by reporters on Tiger Wood's new girlfriend.  They proclaimed her a "dead ringer" for his ex-wife, Elin Nordegren.  Really? I don't see any resemblance between the two women.  They are both young, white and blonde and the similarities end there.

Tiger's ex-wife Elin

The new "dead-ringer" girlfriend
(OMG, she looks just like my  niece Missy!)

When you stop to think about it, there are approximately 6.91 billion people on the planet.  With only 5 major facial features that can be mixed and matched, like Mr.Potato Head, it's really even more remarkable when we find a face that doesn't look anything like anyone we've ever seen before.  We should be more amazed at every unique face we encounter.  "Wow, I have never seen anyone that looks like you before!" Because, truly, that is to me, amazing.

(Not sure if it's just me, but with the exception of the gap between the front teeth, I think the American Idol contestant, Scotty McCreery is a dead ringer for Mad magazines' Alfred E. Neuman.  What do you think?)

(

Scotty McCreery

Alfred E. Neuman