Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Abhorrent comments made about a persons height

560 replies

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 25/04/2024 09:30

Calling someone who is below the average height, "pint-sized" is abhorrent
at the very least. A person's height is beyond the person's control and calling them "pint-sized," some may even say it's an ableist comment

Yesterday, during the PMQ's the lead was taken by the deputy heads of both Tories and Labour. Standing in for the Labour leader was Angela Rayner. She called the Tory leader, Rishi Sunak a "pint-sized leader" when she was losing the arugument

This reminds me of clowns at work who had nicknames for other people who did not fit in with their agenda. Often people will make disparaging comments about another when they feel threatened because of their own inadequacies.
Should she apologise for making these disgusting comments?

AIBU to believe these comments were necessary, inappropriate and disgustingly abhorrent.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/angela-rayner-oliver-dowden-house-of-commons-rishi-sunak-labour-b2533966.html

Angela Rayner aims ‘pint-sized loser’ jibe at Rishi Sunak during PMQs

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden countered the criticism by mocking the Labour deputy over her housing arrangements.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/angela-rayner-oliver-dowden-house-of-commons-rishi-sunak-labour-b2533966.html

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
RosaRoja · 25/04/2024 19:35

Pint sized is respectable. She didn’t say half-pint sized or shot-sized.

We also shouldn’t allude to his unimaginable wealth that cushions him from life’s many miseries. He can’t help being wealthy either.

SoIf · 25/04/2024 19:22

The bar for you seems to be a movable one, Tory PM calls Starmer & Blackford fat... all ok, Rayner calls Sunak Pint sized and she should go to the Tower...

Awww I've gone all misty-eyed now you've mentioned Ian Blackford...resign Prime Minister...resign Prime Minister...resign Prime Minster...miss those days 😊

frankentall · 25/04/2024 19:19

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 25/04/2024 18:53

That attitude of yours is dangerous, IMO. Name-calling is never right and name-callers have reported to the next level, EG, if the first name-calling does not work, try another. I hope you can agree with me.

Sir Keith? Who?

Fizbosshoes · 25/04/2024 19:07

I'm 4'10 and I'm not offended by the expression pint sized. If someone is going to make comment on my height which they often do...as though I am completely unaware of my size then saying I'm pint sized is probably one of the least worst options!

NoisySnail · 25/04/2024 19:05

I asked about Sir Keith as that is a term used as a veiled insult towards Keir Starmer. So it would be ironic @DistinguishedSocialCommentator if you yourself are using insults in a thread you started decrying the use of insults.

pointythings · 25/04/2024 19:04

Gwenhwyfar · 25/04/2024 18:57

I don't agree with attacking someone's appearance, but pint-sized is not the terrible insult you're making it out to be.

Especially since it was a quote coined originally by another Tory.

NoisySnail · 25/04/2024 19:00

@DistinguishedSocialCommentator By Sir Keith are you referring to Keir Starmer?

Gwenhwyfar · 25/04/2024 18:57

I don't agree with attacking someone's appearance, but pint-sized is not the terrible insult you're making it out to be.

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 25/04/2024 18:53

Iwasafool · 25/04/2024 10:27

He's the Prime Minister, he's supposed to be running the country. He is not a child at school and shouldn't be treated like one. How do you think he can cope with tough decisions, confrontations with people like Putin if a comment about his height is such a big deal. I suppose all Putin needs to say is, "Hello shorty" and he can just take over the country, no need for military action.

That attitude of yours is dangerous, IMO. Name-calling is never right and name-callers have reported to the next level, EG, if the first name-calling does not work, try another. I hope you can agree with me.

OP posts:
NoisySnail · 25/04/2024 18:51

Who is Sir Keith?

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 25/04/2024 18:50

Ilovemyshed · 25/04/2024 18:22

She is thoroughly obnoxious and not fit to be a politician - like many of them.

Agreed. With Sir Kieth, as least he can put an argument across without being nasty.

OP posts:
DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 25/04/2024 18:49

whatsthpoint · 25/04/2024 15:04

So tell people to actually vote! If they care about this stuff they would get out there and vote

Who for?
They are all useless and that is a fact!
Having stated the above, looking on the bright side if that is possible, at least we don't have that shower the people are suffering from in Scotland. I guess it could be worse

OP posts:
itsgettingweird · 25/04/2024 18:24

I doubt anyone would notice his size if he didn't act like a petulant child when questioned about how he's going to run the country. The fact he's not very tall gets noticed as he acts small and childlike.

Ilovemyshed · 25/04/2024 18:22

She is thoroughly obnoxious and not fit to be a politician - like many of them.

BIossomtoes · 25/04/2024 18:12

PocketSand · 25/04/2024 16:36

Am I the only one enjoying @DistinguishedSocialCommentator posts for their obvious comedy value? They encourage discussion because they are so batshit but fail in their objective.

No, you’re not alone. They’re glorious in their bonkersness!

NoisySnail · 25/04/2024 18:11

@Everanewbie multiple conservative MPs and Ministers have aimed vile misogynistic comments at Angela Rayner. Angela gets a far harder time than any of the male MPs.

bombastix · 25/04/2024 17:57

Come on. The real reason this snnoys certain Tories is that clearly they consider them better given their accents, clothing, and attitudes. They have all the things. They worked hard to get them. They can't be worse than a woman they think should be a check out girl.

Imagine having all the things and then being told you are pint size and not completely marvellous. The shock!

I'm guessing Angela Rayner has had to deal with far worse in her life than making a joke nicked from Nadine Dorries.

LuckysDadsHat · 25/04/2024 17:15

Florsilvestredelcampo · 25/04/2024 16:09

Do you think that maybe he just smiled politely at you because he the knew that his colleagues needed to have a cheap laugh at his expense and would be unable to understand that it caused him pain?
As the parent of a child with a genetic disorder affecting their growth. I can assure you all the insults pint size, midget,weakling and others cut deeply.
Taking cheap shots at people's appearance is never pleasant what ever your political colours are.

No he wasn't being polite and used to introduce himself as Shetland to any new starters.

He had no disability or genetic disorder. He was just short. (5"5). So we weren't taking the piss out of a disability. We aren't all complete monsters you know!

IClaudine · 25/04/2024 17:10

Everanewbie · 25/04/2024 16:37

Its cool, I've got no problem with it. But now we know where the bar is. Personal insults are fine, so long as its a political opponent.

I've just bookmarked this thread for when AR or her colleagues are indignant with rage about some Tory being insulting or whatever, I can refer posters calling for resignations to their comments about this being no big deal.

Have any Mumsnet posters ever called for resignations of Tory MPs who have been mildly rude about Labour MPs? I don't think so.

IClaudine · 25/04/2024 17:06

Florsilvestredelcampo · 25/04/2024 16:09

Do you think that maybe he just smiled politely at you because he the knew that his colleagues needed to have a cheap laugh at his expense and would be unable to understand that it caused him pain?
As the parent of a child with a genetic disorder affecting their growth. I can assure you all the insults pint size, midget,weakling and others cut deeply.
Taking cheap shots at people's appearance is never pleasant what ever your political colours are.

I am really sorry that people are cruel your child. That is inexcusable.

I do think insulting a person with a condition such as achondroplasia or any other genetic conditon that affects growth is very different to calling a PM of ordinary height and who has tremendous amounts of power over us all "pint sized". A PM who, incidentally, is intent on demonising disabled people (or was last week. This week it the turn of asylum seekers).

I think you are probably right about Shetland Tony though.

Westfacing · 25/04/2024 16:57

LuckysDadsHat · 25/04/2024 14:04

Oh! Were they talking about the thread?

Chorley was asking for amusing nicknames and people were sending them in, and your post was quoted. I sent it, attributing it to Mumsnet, as your 'Shetland Tony' made me laugh out loud!

Not sure if you can get it on playback but it was just before 13.00, as Chorley was handing over to Ed Vaizey.

IClaudine · 25/04/2024 16:56

PocketSand · 25/04/2024 16:36

Am I the only one enjoying @DistinguishedSocialCommentator posts for their obvious comedy value? They encourage discussion because they are so batshit but fail in their objective.

DSC also makes hilarious typos.

Alexandra2001 · 25/04/2024 16:56

Everanewbie · 25/04/2024 16:37

Its cool, I've got no problem with it. But now we know where the bar is. Personal insults are fine, so long as its a political opponent.

I've just bookmarked this thread for when AR or her colleagues are indignant with rage about some Tory being insulting or whatever, I can refer posters calling for resignations to their comments about this being no big deal.

As the Speaker didn't pull her up on the comment, it was completely within the rules.

The bar for you seems to be a movable one, Tory PM calls Starmer & Blackford fat... all ok, Rayner calls Sunak Pint sized and she should go to the Tower....

LilacFatball · 25/04/2024 16:51

AdamRyan · 25/04/2024 15:39

What?????!!

That is actually the most ridiculous thing I've read on here in a very long while 😂😂

She's a democratic socialist so to the left of Starmer, that might make her left wing to a lot of people, but her support for Starmer & Labour's centrist politics don't scream left-wing to me.

J316 · 25/04/2024 16:41

I'm 4f 8 and have heard all the jokes 🙄 calling it abhorrent is a bit of an exaggeration though 😂🤨