Why is it OK to laugh at some physical attributes and not others?

[Spooll]

I have enormous feet. Almost everyone I know thinks that's hysterical.

BF is tiny, c. 5'3". People are always making "lighthearted" remarks about that.

But, mention someone is overweight...

It's not somethibg I'd do of course, but I don't really see why laughing at my big feet or his height is any different?

It’s culturally specific isn’t it. But you’re right, and I’m sure you have lovely feet.

I don’t think any of these things are OK. Some are normalised - eg the assumption that someone is overweight because they are a glutton - but they still aren’t ok.

I think it’s because commenting on weight often comes with a moral judgement that commenting on something like height doesn’t. Being overweight is commonly perceived as a negative thing that is within someone’s control (not saying that is ok) but big feet … well no one is going to say it’s your “fault” you have big feet.

It isn't different! Laughing at someone's big feet or short stature is also unacceptable. Those people are unpleasant, just like people who comment on someone's weight.

Similarly, It's a pain trying to explain to young kids not to make remarks about what people look like, then the next moment some stranger remarks on their hair or height etc.

I totally get you OP. I have big feet aswell and have always been self conscious about it. But for some reason my SIL always makes jokes about them and its really pissing me off. There's nothing I can do to change them and its just unkind.

You're right in that some things seem to be off limits yet others it's a free pass to comment on. I would never dream of making fun of someone's physical features.

If someone mentions your feet again say its a shame they were bought up to be rude, that shocks them.

@Spooll what size are yours? Mine are a 9! But I'm tall too, so need them for balance 😂

I don't think taking the piss out of someone being fat is classed as particularly bad (by some people.) Some people will mock anything. Someone being ginger, being tall, being short, being fat, being skinny (though skinny people don't get as much mocking and hatred as fat people,) having glasses, all sorts.

It's almost NEVER lighthearted. People mock to be spiteful and demeaning. I fucking HATE mocking and deriding being dressed up as 'banter. One of our neighbours - moved now thank God - used to call DH porky 'for a laugh' when he saw him as DH was about 4 stone overweight at the time. (He's lost most of the weight now...) This individual was 5 ft 4 and DH never once took the piss out of him being short. Because DH is not a cunt.

One bloke at DH's workplace takes the piss out of his brother having hearing aids (The brother is 45.) How much of a cunt do you have to be to mock someone who is losing their hearing?

.

Interesting because BF sees his height as something he's stuck with whereas fat people could change if they wanted to. So he feels it's even less reasonable to laugh at his height, which maybe proves your point, but his response is because one of the worst culprits for laughing at his height is very overweight.