to think that "fat shops" like Evans and Ann Harvey don't do their customers any favours by making their sizes much larger than they usually are?

[MrsSchadenfreude]

Was in London last week, nipped into both. Tried on jeans in Evans, even a size 16 was too big (and I am SO not a 16). Went into Horrible Ann Harvey, Polyester Queen, and overheard the woman saying to a customer, "No, the sizes come up much bigger than in regular shops. If you're a size 16 in M & S, there won't be anything here to fit you."

Is this not going to lull porkers (I am one, I am allowed to say that) into a false sense of their own size, if they think, oh I am "only" a size 16, which is not too bad, when actually they are probably a 22+ in "normal" shops?

Kewcumber - i pointed out similar (lack of choice for people who need larger sizes) earlier in the thread

penelopestitsdropped

Someone with saggy old boobs might find your name offensive as it draws attention to the two flabby pendulum like things hanging off them, that where once so round and plump many moons ago.

"30 years ago a size 10 was 32-22-34. Today it is 35-27-36. Clearly our middles have filled out as we lead increasingly sedentary lives!"

Undergarments have also changed, I imagine that with more people wearing support garments now those figures may well change again.

Wrt "porker" I'd rather it wasn't used at all, although I do get self-deprecating humour so many people already think that derogatory terms for overweight people are ok, having terms like "porker" used, even if meant in a self-deprecating way normalises it, and makes it seem acceptable.

I had no idea that this thread would be offensive...Why should it?

I also don't think my "mental condition" colours my opinion on this. My opinion is formed more out of being a decent human being who respects the feelings of other people.

AIBU to think that FAT SHOPS like Evans and Ann Harvey.........

only if they were named Penelope surely. I am assuming such a coincidence is rare.

Kaloki - you hit my nail right on teh head. Such terms are used and normalised and that is what i was hoping to raise. It is a shame that the very group who should be wanting its use stopped are so vociferously defending it.

By the way, I will not report your post for implying I am not a decent human being as I am above being so petty.

Kalok you have just said what I was trying to all along and failing to do obviously.

I get self-depreciating humour and use it when in private where I know everything I say is understood as non-offensive. However, I would never dream of throwing offensive names and terms around in an openly public place where other people may take massive offence to it.

The other thing is, calling yourself a "porker" is self deprecating, calling others "porkers" is offensive.

Sponge stop being silly I have reported your post because I revealed far too much personal info about myself in a previous post, which I then said I would report because of this but you then repeated the info in your next post. Surely this is not petty, or are you just up for arguing about anything and don't cre what?

are you talking to me spongebob? You will have to point out where i have inferred such a thing, I am quite sure that i have not intended to do any such thing

In that case Jaqueline, I apologise for my last comment, I misinterpreted you reporting my post.

I still think I'm right though. But we'll just have to all agree to disagree as I'm going to bed in a mo. :)

Is there a full moon tonight?

penelopestitsdropped Mon 31-Jan-11 00:44:47
only if they were named Penelope surely. I am assuming such a coincidence is rare

That's a cop out...what about all those who have hang ups about their breasts to the point of going in for surgery?

What if they (no matter what their names are) are offended that you are drawing attention to their lack of pertness...and using the word 'tits' instead of breasts could indeed offend those who like yourself, spend their spare time being offended on other people's behalf?

Come to think of it, I sincerely hope my dog hasn't logged in on his laptop and noticed my nickname, considering I got his chopped.....

I am overweight and fat this is not offensive, being classed as a porker is.

I am highly sexed and promiscuous this is not offensive, being classed as a slag is.

Does this make any sense yet?

For the record I wish I was highly sexed and promiscuous, but I am not...I live in hope though.

mutz That comparison doesn't work. If the op wanted to change their username to "Porker" then they could, because they aren't talking about others being porkers. Penelope's username doesn't say that someone else has saggy tits.

Like I said earlier, calling yourself a porker can be self deprecating, calling others "porkers" isn't.

Jaqueline that's you personally...lots of people do take offence at being called 'overweight' or 'fat'...it's not offensive to you personally though...in the same way that porker isn't personally offensive to some other people.

The internet is a big, wide place...that's my point. What offends one person will not offend another and vice versa.

It's unworkable to think there is a 'one term fits all' because there is not...therefore tolerance and cutting of slack is what's needed surely?

Oh I give up. I'm going to bed lol.

But I have to say, those who really are offended by these things should probably spend more time sorting out your personal problems whether it be weight gain, weight loss, or self esteem.

To spend your lives being miserable/offended by the phrases of total strangers is indeed a waste of life itself imo.

Night all

being overweight is a medical term. Fat is the correct term for the cells that cause you to become overweight.

neither terms are incorrect.

Porker is comparing someones apearance to that of an animal. There is a world of difference.

your rather ridiculous tangent abotu my posting name holds zero water

Yes but Mutz if someone came along and said to me the phrase you just used is highly offensive to me and upsets me greatly, I would be mortified, apologise, explain it was meant as a light hearted comment and then make sure I didn't use it again.

In fact I have been pulled up for using a term that caused offence to a few select posters and I did apologise and now don't use the term. It's not difficult, just a matter of manners and decency and not wanting to intentionally hurt someone else.

It is possible to be offended by factual terms mutz this is true, however it is less understandable - and harder to get around. But being offended by a term normally used in an offensive manner is not particularly strange.

Put it like this, say you have a group of idiots in a car having fun yelling abuse at people they drive by, are they more likely to be yelling,
"Oi! Overweight person!"
or
"Oi! Porker!"?

I am glad I don't live where others posters seem to, where people drive by shouting abuse at others!

I found Evans to be a lifesaver when i became er, quite obese, (got depressed, was comfort eating, no exercise etc).
Some of the clothes were both stylish and flattering. A bit expensive but with good sales every so often.
The dresses and tops are so nice i will alter them to fit. Am slowly losing weight (but 2 stone to go still before i get back to 'normal weight'). I'm now back in my non-outsize clothes. IME dress sizes change even within stores, even now my clothes vary from sizes 12-16. When you are fat it's bad enough without calling yourself 'a porker' for example! Better to have nice hair and make up, and find flattering clothes (inc gym wear); and make the most of life while losing weight.