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Original poster

Is this a form of warped body image?

27 replies

didyouscoredarling · 17/12/2021 09:56

I'm 5'3 and a half. I always feel so tall next to most other women I'd say! I always feel taller usually. Obviously not all the time

I feel like I tower over them. My DMum has offered her opinion that it's because of how I carry my shoulders/top half

My DNan is 5 foot and I feel huge in comparison.

The thing is, I've had a lot of hospital stays and I've always been measured. Midwives and doctors have often commented that they're surprised I'm 5'3.5

What's going on? Don't get me started on my ever so slightly heeled boots. I feel super tall in them but they're very tame and not a high wedge at all

OP posts:
Mamadothehump · 17/12/2021 09:58

Well I'm 5 ft 8 so not sure you'd feel like a giant next to me 🤷‍♀️

WaningMoon · 17/12/2021 10:01

Yeah I’m very confused by this OP- do you mean you feel tall or that you don’t feel short?

Although to be fair I’m not even sure it matters , if you are happy and confident in yourself then crack on !

sciencegirl91 · 17/12/2021 10:05

I am a similar height to you OP (well half an inch taller) and I know what you’re talking about! Even good friends don’t believe I’m as short as I am (I also don’t wear heels). I always joke it’s my tall personality- I am confident and can command a room. Maybe good posture too?

BarbaraofSeville · 17/12/2021 10:16

You must know an awful lot of very short women. I'm 5 7 and feel about average. I probably know as many women who are taller than me than are not.

belimoo · 17/12/2021 10:24

I'm 5' 5" and often get called little and short. I usually feel tiny despite being very average. I must just know a lot of tall people.

Notwithittoday · 17/12/2021 10:27

I’m 5ft 10 and feel huge but by most people’s standards I probably am huge. As others have said you must be around a lot of short to medium height women

SpeckledlyHen · 17/12/2021 10:32

I have a bit of a theory about this, do you perhaps have long legs and a short body? I am 5'5 so not particularly tall - average, but people always say I'm tall! I don't feel tall, but people say it.

I had a friend who was 5'10 but she had a really long body and actually really short legs for her height, she never looked as tall as she actually was - if that makes sense!

ChristmasWithBellsOn · 17/12/2021 10:32

I kind get what you mean OP, I'm 5.5 so very marginally taller than the average woman in the UK. But I often realise I'm taller than most other women in my line of sight.

I come from a tall family (DM is 5ft10, DSis is 5ft10, both cousins (M and F) are over 6ft). So maybe I see myself as an extension of their tallness?

iklboodolphrednosedpaindear · 17/12/2021 10:34

I'm a piddly 5ft but you wouldn't 'tower' over me for a mere three inches. My 4ft 9 mate, maybe. I have much taller friends - one of the blokes is 6ft 5.

RonniePickering · 17/12/2021 10:40

Seriously? 🤔 I'm 5ft 6 and don't feel tall.

Original poster
didyouscoredarling · 17/12/2021 10:40

@SpeckledlyHen

I have a bit of a theory about this, do you perhaps have long legs and a short body? I am 5'5 so not particularly tall - average, but people always say I'm tall! I don't feel tall, but people say it.

I had a friend who was 5'10 but she had a really long body and actually really short legs for her height, she never looked as tall as she actually was - if that makes sense!

I'm the opposite Grin

Short and stubby legs, taller upper body

OP posts:
Ihaventgottimeforthis · 17/12/2021 10:46

I'm 5' 3" and I'm nearly always the shortest in the room.

This seems odd to me!

BusySittingDown · 17/12/2021 10:50

I'm 5'2 and a half and feel average most of the time. My DD is 5'9 and towers over me and we find it hilarious, although I don't think she feels tall as most of her friends are similar heights.

My friends range from around 5 foot to around 5'6 ish (some probably taller). I always seem to be mid range when I'm out with them - never tallest but not always the shortest.

SnekkinOnDown · 17/12/2021 10:51

I remember a few years ago I went to the Gp and he asked my weight. I told him I was 13 stone and he said I couldn't be. He weighed me and said his scales must be broken. I assured him that I WAS 13 stone and he took me to another room to get on the digital scales instead of the slider ones. Same weight. Then he measured my height and declared that he couldn't understand how I was so over weight when I looked absurdly average of build. I was like 😲. He wasn't the last one either. I think it's because I do stand tall, shoulders back and I am very confident.

Splodgerbodgerbadger · 17/12/2021 10:51

I’m 4ft 11 and everyone towers over me!

ShaneTheThird · 17/12/2021 10:52

Yes! I am 5'2 and feel gigantic even next to my workmates who are 5'8 people often say they think I'm taller than I am as well.

Cotswoldmama · 17/12/2021 10:54

I'm 5ft 5 bang on average and I feel tall around shorter people and short around taller people!!

vampirestockingfiller · 17/12/2021 10:56

I'm six feet tall. I feel tall because I am.

CandleWick4 · 17/12/2021 10:56

OP I’m the same height as you and I don’t feel short until I’m stood very close to someone and suddenly realise that I am short. I also get called short a lot and it always feels weird, for a second I’m thinking why? And then I remember 😂

TallulahsCurse · 17/12/2021 10:57

Well you're definitely not tall. So yes it's a weird perception of yourself.

BorryMum · 17/12/2021 10:58

I am 5ft 5 with average length legs but my husband and kids are all tall with long legs. People always go on about my kids taking after me and my husband and don't believe me when I tell them my height. It must be a wierd perception thing that they think of tall when they think of my family

WhoUsedMyName · 17/12/2021 11:05

I'm so confused I'm 5.6 and when I'm in the playground with other mums i either look short or the same size🤦🏼‍♀️
Are you over weight op? I only ask this as you may generally feel bigger next to someone with a smaller frame tall or not?

AnotherOneWithNoGoodName · 17/12/2021 11:19

I'm 5'7 and often the shortest in the room.
Are you very slim? I find that makes people look taller. And if you carry yourself well/don't slouch.

Original poster
didyouscoredarling · 17/12/2021 11:20

I think this does back to being the tallest in primary school.

I was picked on a bit for being so tall in Year 6. Hit puberty very early, I've been the same height since age 12/13 most.

By Year 8 I was one of the very shortest! Everyone suddenly shot up and I remember feeling a real frump

OP posts:
LadyCleathStuart · 17/12/2021 11:25

I knew someone who was like this. They made a passing comment about being tallest in the office and everyone was like 'eh?'.

She was about 5 foot, I'm 5'6. We all had to stand next to her to prove that she was actually the shortest. Was very strange.