Irrational actions are difficult to justify – after all, they are irrational. So, it may seem odd to most people that the narrator of “Senior Picture Day” feels the need to regularly hold her nose, just to change her appearance. Of course, teenagers have always been known for doing things that are unusual by nature. However, irrational actions can also be attributed to external factors, not just the inexperience that comes with youth. In the narrator's case, her daily nose-clenching is motivated by hurtful comments from her best friend Terri. The reason the narrator feels the need to hold her nose is to meet a certain standard of beauty that does not interpret Indian facial features as attractive, which Terri would approve of. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The standard of beauty in the narrator's case is established based on her location. She lives in California and therefore identifies as Californian. In fact, she reflects this identity in the CB nickname she desires, as she tells Terri: “When we were in her room, I told her I chose Cali Girl as my nickname” (31). Terri immediately questions this choice, reminding the narrator of her heritage and describing her own idea of ​​California beauty standards: “But you're Mexican. . .sounds like you're more from Mexico than California. . .I mean, California is like blonde girls, you know. . . It’s just that you don’t look like you’re from California” (31). It is clear from her statements that Terri has an ideal appearance in her mind when she thinks of a girl from California: someone who is "blonde" and obviously not of Mexican descent. Terri finally clarifies what makes the narrator look like an "Indian" when the boy on the CB radio ("Lightning Bolt") asks about the narrator's appearance, ultimately triggering his irrational nose-picking. According to Terri, the narrator is “. . . really skinny and, uh. . . She also has a sort of flat chest. . . she also has that, that nose, a nose like . . . like an Indian. . .You know . . Like an Indian powwow” (32). For some, it may not be immediately obvious why these characteristics are considered unattractive, as attractiveness is something entirely subjective and varies widely based on perception. In this case, however, Lightning Bolt's response confirms the unattractiveness of these traits according to the idea of ​​Californian beauty standards: “Lightning Bolt laughed on the other end of the line. “Like an Indian Woo-Woo-Woo?” » He placed his palm over his mouth and groaned. A sound I knew only too well” (32). The fact that the narrator regards Lightning Bolt's laughter and "groans" in response to her appearance as a familiar sound implies that she has witnessed such a reaction before. In this case, however, it's the breaking point and finally pushes her to do something about how she's perceived. In a way, the narrator still appreciates Terri's approval of her appearance, even though she cuts ties with Terri after her crude remarks. She describes how, years later, Terri's comments still affect her: “And that's how the pressure started. . .I finally stopped dating Terri. . .I know it's been almost four years since she said all that about me, in my face, but man, it still stings” (32). By habitually pinching her nose, she basically confirms Terri's comments about her appearance.