Skinny privilege

I don’t think people are arguing that it’s about confidence just to be contrary. It just isn’t nice to think that the world is shallow, and people will be horrible or nice to you based on how much they want to shag you. They probably think it’s more pleasant to believe it’s in your control ie. your confidence.

I’ve recently lost a few stone and gone from an almost obese BMI to a comfortably healthy one. I do notice a huge difference to be honest. I don’t think it’s as significant as other kinds of privilege that people don’t have any choice in (race, gender etc) obviously, but it is noticeable to me.

Fat women, it's your fault the world treats you like shit. Be more confident!!

There's a current trend on MN to argue the opposite, no matter how ridiculous they sound. If someone posted the sky was blue there would be posters falling over themselves to insist it wasn't actually, and that the OP should get her eyes checked.

When I was slim, I got hit on a lot but my self esteem was low because I felt like I was just being objectified all the time. Being bigger I have more male friends now who seem to like me for my personality and it has made me feel a lot more confident. I haven’t really noticed a difference with how women treat me.

All the more reason if you have an ED that you don't need judgement about your appearance, that's only a very small % of who @BobbyBiscuits is as a human being. I hope you get whatever support you need and also that you aren't adversely affected by shallow thinkers out there especially any men who don't see beyond body image to the wonderful person beneath! They aren't the norm, but it can be difficult to discern who is who, men, or women for that matter

It absolutely is a thing! 5 years ago I was a size 24/26,I'm now a 16/18, having lost 90 lbs. I have definitely noticed a difference in the way people treat me. I don't get treated as if I'm invisible or of limited intelligence anywhere near as much now.

It is somehow acceptable to tell a person they're "skinny" or make comments on what they won't be able to eat/manage eg "oh Sara won't eat chocolate" right infront of Sara who does, and puts away a whole slice of cake, shock horror! Nobody say "goodness you're a fat ass, and shouldn't be eating that biscuit."

But loads of people take skinny has a compliment so it doesn’t have the same impact as fat ass.

Well, generally yes. I appreciate that some medications make you gain weight and for some disability is a barrier to weight loss, but otherwise eating less is an option for all. In a situation where food is scarce, there aren't many overweight people!

Sense of humour bypass, @LoneAndLoco ?

So is losing weight available to all?

Nothing is a privilege if it's available to all.

If you want skinny privilege, go ahead and lose weight!

I wasn't aware of it until I became medically underweight due to illness. A couple of men who had never been anything more than casually friendly literally grabbed me at a party. Another, again only a casual friend, made a point of visiting and asking me out. It was creepy and quite an eye-opener. I had always been slim but comparatively invisible until my BMI dropped to 16.

I've never been fat (I have other health problems), but had overweight friends.
Definitely YANBU.

No it's not and im frankly sick and tired of people saying it is. ITS NOT. Can't people just stop commenting on weight.

I only became overweight when I became middle aged. I'm fairly invisible, but I'm fine with that. I didn't like getting attention when younger.

I don't think privilege is the right word. But I have noticed people treat me very different now I am 13 stone compared to 3 years ago when I was 9 stone.

It's not a privilege, it's an advantage. Not quite the same thing.

'People were still a billion times nicer to me. More patient, more automatically kind, chattier. Loved complimenting how fit and healthy I looked even though I was on my way to a quick death (ended up in hospital though so thankfully that didn't happen).'

@Agix

I am so sorry that you went through that. Could people have been being extra nice to you, because they could see you were clearly unwell, and trying to make you feel better? I say this, because it is how my family acted, towards a relative with an eating disorder.

I have noticed when you're healthy thin (within bmi), alot of people will make unwanted comments , but when you're overweight they don't say a thing! It is somehow acceptable to tell a person they're "skinny" or make comments on what they won't be able to eat/manage eg "oh Sara won't eat chocolate" right infront of Sara who does, and puts away a whole slice of cake, shock horror! Nobody say "goodness you're a fat ass, and shouldn't be eating that biscuit."

Funny one this.
i think sadly obese people will often get negative comments and fewer job offers etc because their weight is considered by most to be unhealthy and not the ‘norm’ but that doesn’t mean there’s necessarily skinny privilege.
I don’t think skinny people have privilege over overweight people in general. I’ve been skinny and bigger and had far more comments about my size as a size 6 than I did a size 14

This is true. Men treat you different, people in shops, women you meet for the first time all do a quick assessment when they meet you. When I’m skinny as I am now people fall over themselves to open doors, start up a conversation etc. Not so much when I’m a size 14+.

“Pretty privilege” is absolutely a thing, 100%

Maybe people are treated differently due to the way they look- this could be weight, height, attractiveness etc. However, I don't believe this is privileged it just that we all treat people wi look like or aspire to difffernrly

Being skinny is not a privilege it’s something you earn.

I have never been morbidly obese and obviously this can and does change how people treat you - I've overheard some awful comments about morbidly obese men and women. It's honestly awful and heartbreaking.

Having said that, I have been super thin and obese and I think the difference has been my confidence levels. I am 12/14 now but I've been going to the gym so feel fit and strong and feel better in myself and I notice that people are a lot more smiley and interact with me more. When I was a low 12 but didn't have confidence I felt worse than I do now and I'm bigger. I didn't want to interact with the world and I found people retreating.

It’s absolutely real. I grew up very overweight and was bullied, had abuse thrown at me in the street by complete strangers, shop assistants and the like treat me like I was invisible etc. I’m a millennial and my teens years were all about ‘size zero’ so it wasn’t the best time to be heavy.

Ive been a normal healthy weight for years and it’s completely different. People are more friendly and helpful and I can walk down the street without people thinking it’s ok to insult me. I’m honestly surprised by those larger people who don’t feel others treat them differently.