It is difficult to justify irrational acts: after all, they are irrational. So, perhaps it may seem bizarre to most people that the narrator of “Senior Picture Day” feels the need to regularly pinch her nose, just to change its appearance. Of course, it has always been known that teenagers do unusual things by nature. However, irrational acts can also be attributed to external factors, not just the inexperience that accompanies youth. In the narrator's case, her daily sniffling is spurred by hurtful comments made by her best friend Terri. The reason the narrator feels the need to pinch his nose is to fit a certain standard of beauty that does not interpret Indian-type facial features as attractive, one that Terri would approve of. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The standard of beauty in the case of the narrator is set based on his position. She lives in California and therefore identifies as Californian. Indeed, he reflects this identity in his desired name CB, as he tells Terri, "When we were in her room, I told her that I had decided to choose Cali Girl as my name" (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. . .you seem to be more from Mexico than California. . .I mean, California is like, blonde girls, you know. . . You just don't look Californian” (31). It is clear from her statements that Terri has an ideal look in mind when she thinks of a California girl: someone who is "blonde" and not visibly of Mexican descent. Terri finally specifies 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 squeeze. According to Terri, the narrator is “. . . really skinny and... uh... . . He also has a flat chest. . . she has this too, this nose, a nose like . . . like an Indian. . .You know . . Like an Indian Powwow” (32). For some, it may not be immediately clear why these characteristics are considered unattractive, because attractiveness is something entirely subjective and varies widely depending on perception. In this case, however, Lightning Bolt's response is one that confirms how unattractive these traits are according to the idea of ​​Californian beauty standards: “Lightning Bolt on the other end was laughing. “Like Indian Woo-Woo-Woo?” He covered his mouth with the palm of his hand and groaned. A sound I knew all too well” (32). The fact that the narrator regards Lightning Bolt's laughter and "moaning" in response to his appearance as a familiar sound implies that he has witnessed such a reaction before. In this case, however, it's the breaking point and pushes her to finally do something about how she's seen. In a way, the narrator still values ​​Terri's approval of his appearance, even as he cuts ties with Terri after her unkind remarks. She describes how, years later, Terri's comments still affect her: “And so that's how the compression started. . .Eventually I stopped hanging out with Terri. . .I know it's been almost four years since he said all those things about me, about my nose, but damn, it still stings” (32). Through the act of habitually pinching his nose, he is essentially confirming Terri's comments about looking Indian. On several occasions, the narrator describes the value she places on having a narrower nose that doesn't look Indian: “Every morning with my thumb and"..