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AIBU?

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Original poster

Are taller women more generally greater revered?

140 replies

RedHareWithBlondeHair · 13/07/2016 17:16

I note that Sam Cam is a tall woman, as is Michelle Obama. Obviously most super models are tall and it seems to be something of a pre-requisite to attain model status but what about the shorties?

I can see why it's an issue for men and some even go so far as to wear those insole heightening things but have taller women always been the ideal?
On MN people tend to describe their dcs as 'towering' over them and incredibly tall for their age etc but really?

OP posts:
KissMyArse · 13/07/2016 21:02

Angela Merkel is 5'8 according to the reports I've read.

5'5" according to the Guardian/Mail (ok, I know), ABC News, Famous Heights.net (WTF?)

Are taller women more generally greater revered?
camelfinger · 13/07/2016 21:10

I'd like to be 5 feet 7. I reckon that's seen as the ideal height so you're not really looking up or down at anyone too much. At 5 feet 4 I've found it easy to pull blokes over the years as everyone is taller than me. I think being tall is revered but not half as much as it is for blokes. I think it's a shame that people make such as fuss about it for either males or females as it's something we can't control.

JanetStWalker · 13/07/2016 21:12

The queen keeps her power in her handbag, I'm sure of it Wink

slinkysaluki · 13/07/2016 21:42

I saw the Queen once at Ascot a was standing next to Willie Carson and she was shorter than him, she didn't look 5ft 4 to me I'd say shorter.

I'm 6ft was tallest in school so took a lot of stick. It's usually short men that gave the problem with women being taller I've found, I call it "little man syndrome "

I've lost count the amount if tall jokes I've heard......yawn

BadLad · 13/07/2016 23:41

Being very tall myself, I like tall women. It means less stooping to hear conversation.

My first wife was very short, though. Photos of us together look like C3PO and R2D2.

Apachepony · 13/07/2016 23:49

So has the OP actually provided any examples of tall women leaders? As pointed out, the examples were of two leaders wives and supermodels, not a great illustration.

VestalVirgin · 14/07/2016 00:10

Apart from models, I can't say I have noticed anyone considering tallness a desirable trait in women.

Could be that tall women are promoted more often, as appearing masculine seems to be an advantage if you have a certain type of job and a sexist boss.

Other than that, though ... no. And models aren't supposed to look human, anyway, they're supposed to look like something you can hang clothes on. (I mean, why else are they starved and not allowed to have curves? )

Alisvolatpropiis · 14/07/2016 00:22

The Queen probably was 5ft 4 but has shrunk a bit with age. The average height for women is still 5ft 4, isn't it?

AdjustableWench · 14/07/2016 01:25

I'm taller than 99% of women and I'm not revered nearly as often as I'd like.

I haven't found it a problem with partners - I've had partners who were a lot shorter than me and partners who were much taller. My husband is very tall (9 inches taller than me - he's practically a giant).

Buying clothes that fit is a constant challenge, but otherwise my height has neither held me back nor conveyed any advantage, as far as I can tell. I'd love to be in a prominent position, but so far no such luck...

Alasalas2 · 14/07/2016 01:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kpo58 · 14/07/2016 06:57

There is no advantage being tall.

It's almost impossible to find a taller partner (I failed at finding one), you stick out like a sore thumb in a crowd and generally just look like an idiot looking tall (it didn't help that my work colleagues only came up to boob level).

Cash machines and desks are too low, beds are too short, cannot sit down on many buses as there is no leg room (and the new buses are even worse), you can't go and just buy a pair of shoes as the shoe shops only do baby small shoes, fixed showerheads in hotels are too low and you have to stoop, etc, etc

Yes the world is made for short people.

Igneococcus · 14/07/2016 08:32

I'm 5'11'' and I like it. I wouldn't even mind another inch or two but I grew up in a tall family and I played Volleyball in my country's top league something I couldn't have done if I would have been shorter. I also wear platforms and heels when I like and I'm not that tall that I can't find clothes to fit. I wouldn't want to be shorter but I occasionally do feel like a giant next to petite people.

jb007 · 14/07/2016 08:45

I'm 5'10" and hate it! I long to be petite. I was a late developer and was 5'3" until around age 14 and shot up between ages 14-16. I'm not slim and I just feel like a monstrosity. Even when I have lost weight I have big hands and feet and a large frame. Doesn't matter how slim I get I will never be "willowy". People seem to feel free to comment on my height and I have had many conversations where people argue that I am taller than 5'10". I smile politely between gritted teeth and hate them quietly 😫

SirChenjin · 14/07/2016 08:51

I'm 5 foot one and a half and hate it. Tall women - that's anything over about 5 foot 6 to me! - appear stronger, more forceful, more noticeable, look better in whatever they wear, more grown up, more capable.

I'd love to have 'presence' - instead I feel like a child who has to constantly crane her neck to look up at the adults.

nickEcave · 14/07/2016 12:38

I'm under 5 foot. When I was younger and very petite I quite liked being short but now I am older and quite a bit plumper I feel very invisible. I think it s extremely difficult to dress when you're very short and not thing.

amusedbush · 14/07/2016 12:55

I'm 5' 4 and look like a womble. I have friends who are 5' 9 - 6' and I always feel really frumpy around them.

MiddleClassProblem · 14/07/2016 13:13

But who doesn't love a womble?

SirChenjin · 14/07/2016 14:27

Yeah, everyone loves a womble because they are cute and your can pat them on the head. They're not really taken seriously though Grin

PinkBallerina · 14/07/2016 15:19

I'm tall, 5ft 11, and i love being tall. I do feel that society generally dislikes a tall woman, i don't know why. I would never laugh at someone for being short but it seems it is generally acceptable to point out and make fun of a tall girl. "Hows the weather up there" being one popular comment, which i usually respond with "great, how are the sewers smelling down there?"

A few female friends obsess with my height but i think it is generally because it makes them feel inferior. I love who i am and would never wish to be short but i don't make jokes about short people or comment on the disadvantages of being short unless in retaliation.

MargaretCavendish · 14/07/2016 15:23

I'm 5'11" and actually I do think it has been advantageous to me career-wise. I'm in a pretty male dominated field and I think it does help that I'm close to the average height of the room even when I'm the only woman in it. I remember once being at a conference and having a conversation and then realising we were all talking over the head of one of the other women. Obviously I immediately included her, but I bet it wasn't the first time it had happened.

If I'm honest I think my looks have helped me in various ways at work. Most people consider me reasonably attractive, but I'm not overtly 'sexy'. I've sometimes noticed female colleagues who are deemed unattractive are much more likely to be ignored, but that very attractive women aren't taken as seriously.

Obviously this is all sexist bullshit, and its not universal - I have lots of male colleagues who don't act like this - but I do think it happens a lot more than people would admit to.

Original poster
RedHareWithBlondeHair · 14/07/2016 15:40

The most formidable manager I've ever had was a 4'11 woman. I've always thought that her shortness contributed to her attitude but by god she had presence.

OP posts:
rubybleu · 14/07/2016 15:53

I agree with ToElleWithIt

At 5'9" I was bitterly disappointed to move to the UK and find that the average male height was 5'8". My husband is only 5'10". I have observed that male height is often an indicator of class - maybe they were fed better growing up.

At work though, it's great. Less effort required to show gravitas. I had a vocal coach with great presence at 5'0" but a LOT of effort and training had gone into creating that.

I also like that at 5'9" & 33" inseam, I seem to be exactly the right shape for clothes. Rarely have to change hemlines although I've got gorilla arms so struggle with jackets.

Also, you can't be fat if you're tall as you're not cuddly, you're just massive.

milliemolliemou · 14/07/2016 15:53

www.viralthread.com/science-explains-why-tall-women-are-considered-superior-to-short-women/

But it doesn't say why so many short people punch above their weight.

2nds · 14/07/2016 16:06

Allchanging well I must be running around scaring the shit out of people because I'm tall and fat.

Yes there are problems with being tall but I bloody well love being 6ft and wouldn't change it at all. Yes I had the piss taken out of me when I was younger but honestly kids would bully other kids over just about anything, but it's OK now because I obviously scare the shit out of would be tormentors.

No wonder women have body image issues when being fat and tall is considered scary. It's just as well that I'm tough as old boots and can laugh at my own fat saggy arse, however that's my twisted comical view of myself, you don't like being fat so what but looking at a tall woman who has a few extra pounds isn't any scarier than looking at a tall, slim lady unless the former is running at you like Usain Bolt and brandishing a machete.

MargaretCavendish · 14/07/2016 16:07

you can't be fat if you're tall as you're not cuddly, you're just massive.

I know what you mean (and my own least favourite thing about being tall is feeling 'big'), but I also think you get a bit more leeway: I think people are more likely to 'read' tall people as slim, and also you can gain/lose a lot more before it really shows. Some of my much more petite friends can change dress sizes with just a few pounds.