Heightism

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Yep. And I know that when I'm
intimidated, I immediately become
a bit more hostile. Probably why a
lot of shorter guys have kind of a
chip on their shoulder.

In fact, if someone worries me,
I immediately start to assess how
I'd take them down. Something I
don't do otherwise. But, the boisterously
drunk have the same effect on me.

I have a several friends over 6', and I hate to say it, but I have a very hard time seeing myself dating anyone that tall. I'm only 5'2" and when I see our reflections, I look so short and childish. I just have a very hard time picturing trying to kiss someone that tall, hugs are awkward enough! One foot taller is my limit, and even that is pretty awkward. I'm sorry, but I'm just trying to be practical. I don't like wearing heels all the time and I totally would have to if I were dating someone really tall, for my own comfort. I know, loves transcends height and stuff, but I guess I'll just have to avoid love. Problem solved, bring on the cats

I understand what you mean . In fact there's studies that support your point about the CEOs and jobs . In fact studies show that height is positively correlated with achievements and salaries.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/artic ... 42,00.html

There's another theories that suggest that short men usually achieve less than tall men not because of heightism but because they usually have lower self-esteem . Maybe this is partly true , studies show also that self-esteem and height are positively correlated ....but does this mean there's no heightism ? wrong . Short men usually have less self-esteem because of heightism in society . Think about it , it is because kids since kindergarten make fun of shortest kids and adults take short person more seriously that short boys usually grow with weaker self-esteem than tall boys, short persons are human beings ...so they are vulnerable of people's continuous critics and self-esteem would be affected because of that . No one can deny this unless if he/she thinks himself god or superman and so his/her self-esteem is untouchable by others since childhood.

I agree completely. But what can be done?

Really. I mean, each of us can try on our
own, but that's not going to influence people.

And, like so many prejudices, trying to enforce
externally just isn't going to work. This isn't like
segregation. Ah, the issue of officers is, and you
might have a shot at changing that. But, things like
this happen all the time. You're particularly sensitive
to this one, as it directly affects you.

I am 5'10" and 200 pounds. No one would want to date me.

Tim

No. That is just way too far outside the norm.

I do try to lose weight, but I am trying to look like one of these A-list movie stars so people will like me.

Tim

Tim, your weight is ok.
Your height is fine. You look
good. Your confidence is what's
holding you back.

Ya, I'm working on getting "bulit" as we speak. It'll take a while, but in the meantime it makes me feel great both physically and emotionally, so it's all good.

...Makes me curious as to just what full range of tactics it was that Napoleon used to keep his troops in sufficient fear of him.

I wonder if he regularly just scared the living $#!^ out of them, just for control purposes.

When I was in jail with other arrestees, I had to pretend like, despite my small, thin frame, I was NOT someone you wanted to mess with. I knew I was good at accidentally looking like a badass, so I decided to use that ability. It worked. I just scowled at everyone, like I couldn't wait to rip off their skin, and even the huge guys left me alone. Granted, I was only in jail for 12 hours each of two times -- just the holding cell for arrestees. Here's a tip about that: Never marry a woman who lies to the police to win an argument with you. Find someone less competitive. But if you do, divorce her after the second time she pulls that crap, like I did.

I wish more short women thought like you. The short women around here love the tall guys -- not seeming to understand that someone merely a few inches taller would work better for them than a foot or more taller.

But I guess I can understand if they're attracted to the man's ability to intimidate, and thereby somewhat dominate others -- so maybe it's a protection attraction. Then again, maybe they're just vain. Seems that way a lot of the time.

Last edited by Ragtime on 11 Sep 2007, 9:29 am, edited 2 times in total.

LePetitPrince, thanks for the article -- it was very enlightening. I forwarded it to my two closest friends (who are 6'3" & 5'11").

And it just proves what I've already known and observed: that I've made a substantial decision by boosting my height from 5'7" to 5'9". As the article says, the average male height in America in 5'8", so, I was below average -- now I'm above average. In less than a week of having the shoes, I've already experienced the difference in social reactions:
1. Girls look at me nicer, and longer, than before.
2. More people I don't know smile at me and/or verbally greet me.

I get the feeling people here think short people are "up to no good" or something. The "...scheming little short people..."
Note that someone deemed to be conniving is almost always called "little", i.e., "that little punk". Of course, "big" is used as an insult too, but not nearly as often.

this reminds me of that seinfield show where george gets a toupee

5'7" isn't bad... you gonna wear one pair of shoes your whole life?

Hearing all this talk about how short people are instantly treated with a smidgen of less respect gets me very bitter.

It's another universal truth about the world, that makes me sort of ill...

I hate being judged on pointless appearance issues, especially if it's out of your control...

I'm not short, as I said before in this thread... I think 5'9"..ish. But I have terrible posture, probably some of the worst anyone has ever seen... and I know this has people looking down on me.

But that's the way I'm comfortable.

On a related note, it always annoys me when people tell me to sit up straight... and at the same time tells me to relax. I cannot do it both at the same time, I'm sitting up straight... it's an effort. I can't relax when I'm putting froth effort...

The shoes make a minor but significant improvement in my daily lifestyle. They're functional for being able to reach things easier, like in my particular job, top shelves at home, etc. When I exercise, I wear my normal shoes, and stand 5' 7", and ya know what? I feel just fine wearing my regular shoes in the gym -- I'm personally secure in being 5'7". But I get more done, and have less trouble, in the world being 5'9". It's a practical matter. The problem is with the world, not with my height. But I can either scream from my rooftop for the world to change, or I can simply adapt.

(And they have a nice, wide assortment of all styles in any certain exact height. I could be 5'11" if I liked dress shoes, but I don't.)

hmm I can relate you about the posture thing , in fact I have 14 degree of Scoliosis since i was child. The doctor gave me a kind of brace to wear it for a year but it gave ineffective results , he told me that it possible to straight up my spine with a surgery but it's not worth it since 14 degree is considered mild case and the surgery cost too much and cause too much pain for long term too , he told me that it would only necessary if it's more than 30 degree .So he and many other doctors adviced me to not to do it .

In other hand , I rarely feel pain in my lower back except when I do some working out ...that's why I usually avoid stomach exercising where you have to lean on your back and push your shoulder forward....but I can do push-up easily .

As for look , some honest friends told me that I look wrong and not quite sided vertical( my right shoulder looks slightly higher than the other one) when i stand up , most people tell me nothing abt this tho ...but maybe they just feel embarrassed to tell me.

Scoliosis seems to be genetic , my aunt has it more severely and my mom has it more mildly than me , and it also cause you to lose few inches of height since the spine is horizontally 'bowed' .