Lots of people feel entitled to comment on a woman’s appearance — especially if that woman happens to be taller than them.
Just as skinny women are tired of being told to “eat a burger” or that they “look like a toothpick,” and short women cringe when someone asks “what the weather’s like down there,” taller women are subject to giraffe jokes and questions about their femininity.
Some famous tall women have spoken out about being teased as children, and how their height has affected their careers. “Kill Bill” star Uma Thurman told In Style in 2008 that “there are plenty of challenges that come from being a tall girl,” noting that no one would have expected such success from her as an actress given that she is six feet tall.
Gewndoline Christie, who plays Brienne of Tarth in “Game Of Thrones” and stands at 6’3″, explained in a March 2013 interview for Star Pulse that she hopes her increasing visibility as a tall woman will effect positive changes.
“As someone who has always felt at times pretty genderless because of my size, it interests me to challenge ideas of prejudice and femininity, and what it is to be a woman,” Christie said.
We polled our Twitter followers on what you should never say to a tall woman — and they delivered. Here are 16 of the worst offenders:
- “It must be hard to find a man who’s comfortable with your height.”
- “You have long feet.”
- “I wish I was as tall as you.”
- “You must have played basketball in high school!”
- “Good luck finding a husband!”
- “How TALL are you?!?!”
- “Have you always been this tall?
- “You shouldn’t wear heels.”
- “Being petite is so much harder than being tall.”
- “Do you play volleyball?”
- ‘You’re an Amazon.”
- “Could you grab that for me?”
- “You could be a model… you know, height-wise…”
- “You must have trouble finding nice clothes.”
- “When are you going to stop growing?”
- “I’d date you if you were shorter.”
We know perfectly well that women can be successful — not to mention beautiful — at any shape or size. So when is everyone else going to catch up?
Ooh I know the feeling of some of these comments….
From a tall girl
I am a tall girl myself so I know exactly what you mean!!!!
Thanks for that list. Just yesterday my 5’10” daughter told me she hated being called an Amazon. I told her I always thought that was meant as a compliment. Not to her.
OMG YES! Thanks for posting this! I am 6’1 and have heard all of these! Not just from men but women as well. WHY?! Just say, ‘I love your height’ or something of that nature. Not, “WOW, You’re so tall?!” Yes, I am quite aware of that, captain obvious. It just get very old and you get tired of hearing it after the 1000th time. Just my little rant. LOL
Thank you so much Lady D!!!