Is it harder to be taken seriously as a short woman?

[Eurydice84]

Just that really. I was discussing the issue with another short friend and she confirmed my thoughts - especially at work, people perceive short women as less assertive. Short women can be cutesy, sweet, but rarely in charge. And we can't achieve the same level of effortless elegance that comes so easy to our tall counterparts. I stopped wearing heels after having children / back problems so that's not an option...

Yabu

Define short? I'm 158cm never seen it as a problem

Possibly from my point of view as a tall woman I’ve been accused of being intimidating even though I’m a pushover 🙈

Personally I haven’t found it a problem (5’3 and known for being assertive/not shy about expressing views!). Especially as meetings take place sitting down, and these days often on Zoom. Perhaps if I worked in a job involving more standing up it might be more of an issue.

Nah. I’m 5 foot, have a promoted post. It’s your personality/approach that makes you assertive not your height.

Can’t say I’ve noticed.
My boss is 4 foot 11. Maybe 5 feet at a push. She can be terrifying when she wants to be 🤯😂

As for the world of work

Those who consider themselves too important for small tasks are quite often too small for important tasks.

In other words the whole thing is ridiculous nobody actually thinks like that

I haven't had a problem either. Though people have (pre-Teams working) expressed surprise at how short I am (5'1") when I stand up!

I'm only 5' and get sick of all the titch jokes. I am an assertive person though so don't think my height has held me back from getting on in life.

Agree with @Peppermintlover .
I'm very short and am definitely assertive and definitely not cutesy

This reminds me of Miranda “the Nazi” Bailey from Greys Anatomy 😆

5ft 2. Never had an issue with my height. Work in a professional role. Well respected.

Only joke have been when asked to describe an offender I always end up saying taller than me and police say that’s not hard.

I'm 158cm... I've never found it more difficult to be taken seriously, particularly in a professional environment.

I think that 'cutesy sweet' looking women do find it more difficult, yes. But looking 'cutesy sweet' is not in any way the same thing as being short.

I’m barely 5 foot and, particularly when I was younger (now late 50’s), I think I did get talked down to a bit (no pun intended!). However, I think all you can do is stand up for yourself and others and be as assertive as you can. Let
people see you are not be trifled with!

Yes
I'm 5ft 1

Lol no of course not! I’m only 5ft 1 and am taken very seriously because I’m extremely good at what I do

There are a couple of very short women in supervisory positions at my work, 5ft or shorter and neither wear heels. They are certainly taken seriously.

I think it could be an issue if you are young or look very young like a schoolgirl. I mistook a teacher at my DS's college for a classmate of his, even though a female classmate would be 16 or 17 and so the same height they would be at 30. She must have been in her twenties and the height did make her appear teenage.

😆

Nope, I'm short and young looking with long blonde hair

My staff find me approachable but 'very strong/firm'

Not one person has ever thought me a pushover

I'm not sure. I'm 5'1" but I think it was my former people pleasing and over sharing that saw me not respected.
Now at work, I never have an immediately visible reaction to anything. I reflect and thi k about what response is likely to bring about outcome that will suit me.

Not that I Don't fail sometimes.
I've ways been conscious of dressing in a way that is smart, much harder for short people imo if they're not rail thin

YABU I'm 5ft and definitely fall on the side of assertive and competent rather than 'cute' or 'sweet' and my female director who is barely taller than me is a truly formidable and remarkable woman. Everyone takes her seriously.

@minipie she definitely gives off Bailey energy 😂
She can be assertive and quite scary when she needs shit to get done. But she’s also like the workplace mum, and we all know we can go to her with an issue and she’ll provide a listening ear and sound advice.

No one ever comments on how small I am.

Don’t think so - am 5 3, maybe 4 at a push. Never wear heels. deffo not been regarded as sweet or a pushover for a good 20 years