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Original poster

I’m 5ft1.5 and everyone calls me tiny

127 replies

Lolita55 · 04/02/2020 19:18

Is it really that short? I know it’s on the shorter end of adult female height but it’s hardly a midget/dwarf size is it?

My partner is 5ft11 and everyone he knows tells him that about me and people I know often comment it too. I don’t think nearly 5ft2 is all that uncommon. Even average height seems to be only 5ft3 / 5ft4 for women in the UK.

I find a lot of women are only about 1-2 inches taller than me so visually look like the same height as me but even they think I’m tiny.

I am fairly skinny too (on thinner side of healthy BMI) but for some people being thin makes them look taller and I have narrow shoulders and a 28 inch rib cage which is probably adding to the small stature to the point I feel self conscious about it.

OP posts:

FallenAngel01 · 04/02/2020 19:57

I'm 4' 11" and 7 stone, on a good day with the wind behind me. I'm told that at least if it's raining, I'll be the last to know. I was also told by an ex that if I was drowning, he'd throw me a polo mint. I actually thought that was quite funny! I will admit, I got bored with being patted on the head, "oh, isn't she cute". I'm not a dog, I'm a fully grown adult!!!!!

FallenAngel01 · 04/02/2020 20:01

And I can buy kids clothes, aged 11 to 13, which is cool. Until you see an 11 to 13 year old wearing the same as you - no street cred. But no VAT, I think? Also, smaller shoes. I once wanted a particular pair of slouchy boots, but they didn't have them in my size. They were only £35, and I was disappointed. Until, I went further into the shop, and there they were! The VERY boots! In the children's section, for £15.

Mumof1andacat · 04/02/2020 20:06

5ft here! My mum is only 4ft 9. My dad is 5ft 11. I took after my mum. Dh is 6ft 2. We are starred at and ppl have made comments but screw them.

Lostintransfixation · 04/02/2020 20:06

Office of National Statistics says the average female height in UK is 5'3" so no you're not that short. People have all sorts of agendas for saying otherwise or making any comment on your height. It is annoying but it's their issue!

Carimella · 04/02/2020 20:17

I'm the same, in between 5'1 and 5'2 and I tend to just round up to 5'2.

I have mastered the art of getting things from the top shelves in shops... Except this time in Primark where this skirt I desperately wanted may as well have been in the clouds for how high up the rail was... I got it eventually, thanks to a rather tall stranger 🎉

WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles · 04/02/2020 20:17

I am very small (shorter than you) and my very tall DH is over a foot and a half taller than me Of course we get comments, but it doesn't bother me, the only thing that bothers me is when he puts stuff away out of my reach We have steps in our kitchen for this purpose, I often stand on them and imagine being that tall and walking round at that height all day. It feels very odd.

Our wedding photos were great, I had to stand about ten steps higher than him on the registry office steps so we could be in the same photo He also doesn't hang mirrors by himself any more, and they have to be full length so we both get to see our own face

GabsAlot · 04/02/2020 20:18

Yes it is- still taller than me but im fat so it looks worse-my dh calls my family the seven dwarves we're all under 5 ft 6 including men

WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles · 04/02/2020 20:19

And yes to the VAT free shoes and clothes! I share lots with my DC, I've had to sew different coloured labels into our clothes so DH knows what belongs to who when he does the laundry, as things like tights are all the same size!

IceniSky · 04/02/2020 20:23

4'9 here. It's a fucking pain if the arse if I'm honest. But I guess its whom I am.

madnessitellyou · 04/02/2020 20:34

I’m a little taller than you. People find it funny when I go under their arms if they hold a door for me. Dd1 is taller than me which usually elicits the response “most people are, madness” when I mention this.

That said, I’m in my 40s and it really doesn’t bother me. Unless like a pp dh puts things out of my reach!!! The step stool bought when Dd1 was a toddler is still very much in use. By me

whimbrel · 04/02/2020 20:45

I'm a little bit taller than you but I've never felt short. Recently I was talking to a friend about how I don't have enough storage in my kitchen, and we came to the conclusion that I do have enough, it's just the top shelves are reserved for things that are barely used as I can't reach them without steps! Sometimes I stand on a step stool and think 'Wow, things look so different from up here!.

whimbrel · 04/02/2020 20:47

Madness The door thing is the one thing I hate about being short, it makes me feel like I am being treated as a child.

NameNumber5 · 04/02/2020 20:48

I'm 5'1 and DH is 6'

No one has ever commented (in my hearing)

I dont think I'm THAT short

Sagradafamiliar · 04/02/2020 20:56

Interesting username.

PieAndPumpkins · 04/02/2020 20:58

I agree average height for a woman is 5'5/5'6, so yes, you are shorter than average. It is what it is!

WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles · 04/02/2020 21:03

From a clothes point of view, I find it much easier being small as you can hem things or take them in etc. On the other hand, DH trying to find a pair of jeans for someone very tall and skinny...a much harder task! (Although I find it hard to get rings to fit as my fingers are small and the smallest sizes seem to be US 5 or K and above).

I think also, that at either extreme of the height scale, people make comments. DH gets just as many as I do. It doesn't bother me tbh as I'm in my 40s and nowadays don't give a fuck about a lot of things generally

Generally I quite like being small. I think I've grown into it

20CMB20 · 04/02/2020 21:07

I am also 5 foot 1, OP, and on the low extremities of 'normal' BMI. It's not something I've ever thought about much.

I only really notice it now when the DC try to hug me, as they are all over 6 foot (XH is 6 foot 3).

Otherwise, I never think about it. Except when I can't reach stuff, but as I have tall children, they can reach stuff for me. I have organised my kitchen so that it suits me, as I'm the one who uses it most.

IndieTara · 04/02/2020 21:14

M'y next friend is shorter than you and I'm 5 ft 9 we look odd walking down the road
For her 50th I bought her a gorgeous bangle inscribed with.
Though she be but little. She is fierce

IndieTara · 04/02/2020 21:14

Best not next

DareDevil223 · 04/02/2020 21:35

Why do short women always bang on about how cute and teeny tiny they are? Do you say things like 'Room for a little 'un?'

sophiagiiiles · 04/02/2020 21:37

I'm only 4'9

Shamazing · 04/02/2020 21:40

I'm 5 ft 2 and people rarely mention it. It's not an unusual height so it's a bit strange that people around you do.

DH is 6 ft 2 but I can't remember the last time anyone commented on our height difference.

DearHappy · 04/02/2020 21:40

I am 5ft 4 and people say I’m tiny or petite and I’m not! I was told recently I looked like a teenager from the back . Im taller than average so not sure why.

Shamazing · 04/02/2020 21:42

Why do short women always bang on about how cute and teeny tiny they are? Do you say things like 'Room for a little 'un?'

I work with a woman who is a little taller than me who frequently squeezes herself between two people in meetings saying 'oo I'm only lickle' in a little girlie voice. I actually fear I may beat her to death one day.

MintyMabel · 04/02/2020 21:43

I’m 5ft1, husband is 6ft4. I have had to tell him, and others that taking the piss out of my height isn’t funny.

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