are pretty people treated better?

We had a discussion at work last night, that was spurred by my observation of one of my coworkers who consistently brings up the fact that...patient so and so is such a pretty girl, or so handsome. Why is that valid? Is their validity in the statement that people who are attractive are treated better? Why is it important to say that a patient is pretty/handsome? Does it really matter? Does it make a difference in the care we give? It seems that looks play a big part of society and our lives and it might even affect the care that is given to patients. I wonder if anyone else thinks about this?