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Women commenting on and rejecting men due to height

  • 06-10-2014 4:06am
    #1
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,188 ✭✭✭


    I've seen and heard an increase of this phenomenon both online and in person recently. I thought it was only happening frequently in USA but seems it's hitting Ireland now. I'll preface this with the fact I'm unaffected by it personally as I'm quite tall but I have had friends and other's experience this honestly terrible scenario and it irritates me knowing this huge double standard is widely accepted and downplayed by a lot of people. Also, I'm not making a generalisation that all women do this, because they obviously don't.


    If a man makes even a slight observation about a woman's weight he is considered shallow, judgemental etc. and most of the time it'll end in total uproar and offence. If a woman makes a totally harsh comment about a man's height and rejects him outright for that nobody bats an eye and the man is supposed to just take it and deal with it, "man up" is what'll probably be said if he seemed to be effected by it. Yet the thing that annoys me is how one of these is totally genetic and cannot be helped and the other is almost always a personal choice, aside from legitimate medical issues causing it, and can certainly be helped with a small bit of will power and dedication.


    Now, let's disregard genders for a moment here as this is for both men and women. A person is born with absolutely no choice in the matter. They do not choose to be born with their skin colour, their height, their facial characteristics etc. These are all completely genetic and cannot be chosen by the individual. You wouldn't openly comment on somebody's race, certainly wouldn't openly reject them by telling them it's why you're rejecting them. You wouldn't openly comment on somebody's facial characteristics and openly say it's why you're rejecting them. So how come some women will openly comment negatively and let men know that they're rejecting them due to their height and not think twice about how atrocious it is and how much it could potentially hurt the guy?

    I hope more men start bringing this up and putting a stop to it if they witness it first hand.


    Cliffs:
    - Height is completely genetic and cannot be helped
    - Being unhealthy and overweight is rarely genetic and is a personal choice and can typically be helped
    - Why are some women openly commenting on and rejecting men based on height
    - Why do these same women go crazy when men make any comment on a woman's weight

    But who was logic?


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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 500 ✭✭✭indigo twist


    I think some people are a bit quick to pull the discrimination card.

    There is nothing wrong with anyone (male or female) preferring a certain type. I'm a woman, I'm not generally physically attracted to shorter men. I'm not ashamed to admit that. I also don't tend to be attracted to skinny or overweight men. Plenty of men prefer slim women, or average women, or larger women, or some don't have a preference. Some prefer shorter or taller women, or blondes rather than brunettes, or vice versa. Who cares?

    Making digs at a person because of their height or weight is another matter entirely. But nothing at all wrong with being attracted to certain body types more than others. Whether you're male or female.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,086 ✭✭✭TheBeardedLady


    I think the odd eyelid would be batted if a woman told a man she wasn't interested then insulted his height? That's not acceptable behaviour from anyone and I don't know one decent human being who would consider that acceptable behaviour. Certainly if my friend carried on that way I'd call her out on it.


    Having a preference for a certain height is different though; we all like what we like but it'd be expected that you're nice about it.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,188 ✭✭✭DoYouEvenLift


    I think some people are a bit quick to pull the discrimination card.

    There is nothing wrong with anyone (male or female) preferring a certain type. I'm a woman, I'm not generally physically attracted to shorter men. I'm not ashamed to admit that. I also don't tend to be attracted to skinny or overweight men. Plenty of men prefer slim women, or average women, or larger women, or some don't have a preference. Some prefer shorter or taller women, or blondes rather than brunettes, or vice versa. Who cares?

    Making digs at a person because of their height or weight is another matter entirely. But nothing at all wrong with being attracted to certain body types more than others. Whether you're male or female.

    I didn't say there was anything wrong with personal preferences. My point is how some women will feel perfectly fine openly rejecting a man because he's not tall enough when height is totally genetic yet a man is almost crusified if he did similar to this and openly rejected a woman because she's too fat when weight is mostly down to the individual choosing to be so. So, if it turns out that it's commonly acceptable to be rejected for your height then it should also be commonly acceptable to reject others for their weight.

    I think the odd eyelid would be batted if a woman told a man she wasn't interested then insulted his height? That's not acceptable behaviour from anyone and I don't know one decent human being who would consider that acceptable behaviour. Certainly if my friend carried on that way I'd call her out on it.


    Having a preference for a certain height is different though; we all like what we like but it'd be expected that you're nice about it.

    That's how it should be but I'm afraid there are still lots of people unaware of common courtesy, seems especially popular amongst younger girls.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,846 ✭✭✭✭Liam McPoyle


    If a woman rejects a man because he is not tall enough and tells him to his face thats the reason why, that makes her a dick.

    If a man rejects a woman because she is too fat/skinny or what ever and tells her to her face, that makes him a dick.

    Personal preference/attraction is fine, being a dick is not.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,824 ✭✭✭Qualitymark


    Think of it as a useful Darwinian marker: these women probably aren't bright enough to be good breeding stock.


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,188 ✭✭✭DoYouEvenLift


    Think of it as a useful Darwinian marker: these women probably aren't bright enough to be good breeding stock.

    Too bad there would still be too many desperate white knights still willing to put up with their sh!t and settle for them.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,824 ✭✭✭Qualitymark


    Buster Keaton has a funny unspoken tongue-in-cheek take on this in his 1925 comedy Our Hospitality. Well worth watching. I'll post a link but not the full film because it's an hour and 13 minutes long:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47yq9XTbDNY

    Particularly nice part of the film is the gorgeous dog, and Keaton's character Willie McKay's relationship with it, but it's also fun that the terrifying father and brothers of the feuding family are all about 16" taller than Keating, our brave and resourceful hero.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,188 ✭✭✭DoYouEvenLift


    Buster Keaton has a funny unspoken tongue-in-cheek take on this in his 1925 comedy Our Hospitality. Well worth watching. I'll post a link but not the full film because it's an hour and 13 minutes long:

    47yq9XTbDNY

    Particularly nice part of the film is the gorgeous dog, and Keaton's character Willie McKay's relationship with it, but it's also fun that the terrifying father and brothers of the feuding family are all about 16" taller than Keating, our brave and resourceful hero.

    Lol that is the full film though? What time is the part you're talking about at?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,554 ✭✭✭✭everlast75


    My point is how some women will feel perfectly fine openly rejecting a man because he's not tall enough when height is totally genetic yet a man is almost crusified if he did similar to this and openly rejected a woman because she's too fat when weight is mostly down to the individual choosing to be so. So, if it turns out that it's commonly acceptable to be rejected for your height then it should also be commonly acceptable to reject others for their weight.


    As far as I'm concerned, its not okay to slag someone about something they cannot change, which is to your point, about one's height, but also about being "ginger", balding, colour of skin etc.

    I agree that weight is something that most people can do something about, but the problem with slagging somebody about that is there may be underlying personal issues causing obesity.

    Business Cat is of course correct on the point about slagging to someone's face, but doing it behind someone's back can also be as bad if they find out.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭✭Jawgap


    I think it's all about tone. If someone passes a comment about someone intending to be insulting / hurtful then that's not on whether it's about weight, height, hair colour etc. It's bad manners and indicates that they are probably quite shallow and not very nice.

    As for the whole the height thing - I think people just need to get over themselves. People find different physical, personality and intellectual attributes attractive. What float someone's boat doesn't necessarily float the next person's - but I agree that isn't an excuse to be rude.

    Also generally excluding a class of people because they don't measure up - literally and figuratively - to some ideal is just dumb. Who knows what you'd be missing out?

    Finally for the record, I'm 5'8" (and a half!!) and my wife is 6'1" (taller when she throws on the heels!) - when I first met her she was sitting down. We had a great evening and swapped numbers at the end of the thing we were at and I didn't call her because I assumed she wouldn't be interested in 'shorties' - luckily she called me!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,449 ✭✭✭✭pwurple


    It has become a problem here, I know this because a friend was offered growth hormones for her 2 year old, because he looks like he will be about 5'5 when he is an adult. She refused them. The doctors spoke about bullying, finding a girlfriend/wife etc. His father isn't tall, has a wife, and was never bullied, so they completely dismissed this.

    Apparantly a huge amount of spanish boys are given growth hormones for this reason.

    It angers me that little boys are medicated for this.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,188 ✭✭✭DoYouEvenLift


    everlast75 wrote: »
    As far as I'm concerned, its not okay to slag someone about something they cannot change, which is to your point, about one's height, but also about being "ginger", balding, colour of skin etc.

    I agree that weight is something that most people can do something about, but the problem with slagging somebody about that is there may be underlying personal issues causing obesity.

    Business Cat is of course correct on the point about slagging to someone's face, but doing it behind someone's back can also be as bad if they find out.

    Yeah, all of those are other genetic traits so they fall under what I'm saying. Good examples too, by the way, especially balding. It's possible for almost anyone to go bald in even just a few years, even women can get thinning and receding hairlines, if they're predisposed or just suffer a medical issue to cause it, so it's always funny to see people who mock bald men end up bald themselves and then being total insecure wrecks about it.

    pwurple wrote: »
    It has become a problem here, I know this because a friend was offered growth hormones for her 2 year old, because he looks like he will be about 5'5 when he is an adult. She refused them. The doctors spoke about bullying, finding a girlfriend/wife etc. His father isn't tall, has a wife, and was never bullied, so they completely dismissed this.

    Apparantly a huge amount of spanish boys are given growth hormones for this reason.

    It angers me that little boys are medicated for this.

    It's only going to get worse in the future as the more people use social media the shallower and more judgemental they get, which is why there are attempts to make it possible for people to choose their offsprings genetic traits. The surge in plastic surgery throughout the years and how good some procedures have gotten is a good indicator of where we're heading.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,495 ✭✭✭✭eviltwin


    There are a lot of men out there I wouldn't be attracted to, nothing wrong with that but its not appropriate to be rude to someone. Its not like they can do anything about their height after all, what is the point in being critical about it. I don't know why people feel the need to be cruel or pass remarkable about another person, you don't like them fine, move along, find someone you do like. Why the need to make a comment on it at all? Its juvenile and petty and if someone who rejected me was to act that way I'd consider myself lucky.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,966 ✭✭✭✭syklops


    "You're not my type" = fine.
    "Sorry, I don't like fat/skinny/short/too tall/hairy/bald/ girls/boys" = not fine.

    Whoever you saw who did it is a bitch/wanker.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,188 ✭✭✭DoYouEvenLift


    syklops wrote: »
    "You're not my type" = fine.
    "Sorry, I don't like fat/skinny/short/too tall/hairy/bald/ girls/boys" = not fine.

    Whoever you saw who did it is a bitch/wanker.

    We've established which is and isn't acceptable. Most people are decent enough to already know these sorts of things without even being told. I'm mostly just trying to bring awareness to encourage anyone who ever witnesses it first hand to tell the person how what they're saying is ridiculous. Chances are if you make even a small logical comment about the genetic vs choice point the spastic won't have any decent rebuttal and will be embarrassed for being shown to be an idiot.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,824 ✭✭✭Qualitymark


    Lol that is the full film though? What time is the part you're talking about at?

    Try it from about 41 minutes in. Whole film is worth watching, though. Tastes in humour vary, of course, but for me this is one of the funniest films ever made, from the view of Broadway in 1810 and Buster riding a velocipede to the makeshift train - "Into the West roared the gleaming monster" or some such subtitle - to the hero's determination not to be killed in the vendetta, and his enemies' attempts to kill him without breaking the Southern code of honour.
    Edit: and the extremely cute and clever collie dog, of course.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 245 ✭✭paddy1990



    Cliffs:
    - Height is completely genetic and cannot be helped
    - Being unhealthy and overweight is rarely genetic and is a personal choice and can typically be helped
    - Why are some women openly commenting on and rejecting men based on height
    - Why do these same women go crazy when men make any comment on a woman's weight

    But who was logic?




    Very good post.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,613 ✭✭✭newport2


    pwurple wrote: »
    It has become a problem here, I know this because a friend was offered growth hormones for her 2 year old, because he looks like he will be about 5'5 when he is an adult. She refused them. The doctors spoke about bullying, finding a girlfriend/wife etc. His father isn't tall, has a wife, and was never bullied, so they completely dismissed this.

    Apparantly a huge amount of spanish boys are given growth hormones for this reason.

    It angers me that little boys are medicated for this.

    I was in a small Spanish town before, there were about 150 people out in the street drinking. It suddenly struck me that I was taller than everyone there (I'm 5'11, not short but not particularly tall either). I looked around and there was one person out of the whole lot who may have been taller. At a guess, in Ireland about 30% of the men would have been taller. They do seem to be shorter in general, same in Portugal.

    Whether little boys should be medicated for it is a seperate discussion (I don't think they should), but the doctor is right. If the boy ends up particularly short as a man, it will make things harder for him. The anecdote of his parents doesn't change that. It seems to be ok to laugh at small men in the media, TV, etc. Any sitcom where a woman tries dating online, guaranteed one of the "awful" ones she meets will be a man about a foot shorter than her. There's a trailer for a sitcom doing the rounds at the moment with this in it. I remember Sex and the City did something similar, Samantha was dating a short man, only hung on to him because he was great in bed, but was too ashamed to let her friends meet him. A lot of women will openly admit they will not date men shorter than them, seemingly unaware that this is a really derogatory thing to say.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,086 ✭✭✭TheBeardedLady


    pwurple wrote: »
    It has become a problem here, I know this because a friend was offered growth hormones for her 2 year old, because he looks like he will be about 5'5 when he is an adult. She refused them. The doctors spoke about bullying, finding a girlfriend/wife etc. His father isn't tall, has a wife, and was never bullied, so they completely dismissed this.

    Apparantly a huge amount of spanish boys are given growth hormones for this reason.

    It angers me that little boys are medicated for this.

    Mental. I never knew. Not that it makes any difference, but one of the reasons I moved to Spain was my preference for average height men (stocky men of average height).

    If women are making fun of men because of their height, they're arseholes. Very good indicator to get the fook away from her asap.

    I luckily don't see it when I go out (probably past the "mean girls" stage of my life) but if I did, I would definitely call them out on it. That's bullying pure and simple.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,086 ✭✭✭TheBeardedLady


    Whether little boys should be medicated for it is a seperate discussion (I don't think they should), but the doctor is right. If the boy ends up particularly short as a man, it will make things harder for him. The anecdote of his parents doesn't change that. It seems to be ok to laugh at small men in the media, TV, etc. Any sitcom where a woman tries dating online, guaranteed one of the "awful" ones she meets will be a man about a foot shorter than her. There's a trailer for a sitcom doing the rounds at the moment with this in it. I remember Sex and the City did something similar, Samantha was dating a short man, only hung on to him because he was great in bed, but was too ashamed to let her friends meet him.

    Yeah, you're right and it must be hurtful to witness that kind of stuff if you're small/average height.

    A lot of women will openly admit they will not date men shorter than them, seemingly unaware that this is a really derogatory thing to say.

    Really? Simply stating what you like in the opposite sex without being an arse about it is derogatory? I can't agree. Perhaps because it's a sensitive issue for men that they feel hurt to hear it but I don't think simply saying, "I like tall men" is derogatory. Something like, "I like tall men because small men are [insert mean comment here]". Sometimes you see men comment on how they like foreign women on Boards. That I have no problem with but a comment such as, "I like foreign women because Irish women are ugly bitches", for example i.e. taking an unnecessary dig at what you don't like which you know is mean. The latter is derogatory but the former is not.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,134 ✭✭✭Lux23


    There have been a few occasions when I went on dates with men who were either the same height as me or slightly shorter. I suppose it wouldnt have been my ideal, but I always kept an open mind. On two of these dates, I decided the guy wasn't for me and when I said I didn't want to meet up with them again, they assumed it was because of the height. It wasn't, it was because they didn't make an effort to talk and they just didn't seem confident.

    Now maybe the shyness is down to their height but as a grown man you have to try and make an effort to get over esteem issues like that. We all have them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,613 ✭✭✭newport2


    Really? Simply stating what you like in the opposite sex without being an arse about it is derogatory? I can't agree. Perhaps because it's a sensitive issue for men that they feel hurt to hear it but I don't think simply saying, "I like tall men" is derogatory. Something like, "I like tall men because small men are [insert mean comment here]". Sometimes you see men comment on how they like foreign women on Boards. That I have no problem with but a comment such as, "I like foreign women because Irish women are ugly bitches", for example i.e. taking an unnecessary dig at what you don't like which you know is mean. The latter is derogatory but the former is not.

    I'm not talking about stating what you like. I've heard women on multiple occasions say - often in front of a guy who was short -

    "I would not date a man who is shorter than me".

    I don't think that's the same as saying "I like tall men".



    Let's reverse it. How about a man saying in front of a variety of women:

    "I would not date a flat-chested woman."

    How would that go down?

    I don't think saying that you won't date someone with a particular physical attribute comes across the same as saying that you like a particular physical attribute in others. But maybe I'm wrong.
    If women are making fun of men because of their height, they're arseholes. Very good indicator to get the fook away from her asap.

    I know several women who have done this who are not arseholes. I think sometimes it just doesn't even occur to them that a man is going to be offended by a comment about his physical appearance.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,613 ✭✭✭newport2


    Lux23 wrote: »
    There have been a few occasions when I went on dates with men who were either the same height as me or slightly shorter. I suppose it wouldnt have been my ideal, but I always kept an open mind. On two of these dates, I decided the guy wasn't for me and when I said I didn't want to meet up with them again, they assumed it was because of the height. It wasn't, it was because they didn't make an effort to talk and they just didn't seem confident.

    Now maybe the shyness is down to their height but as a grown man you have to try and make an effort to get over esteem issues like that. We all have them.

    Fully agree, but you didn't say that. If they made assumptions, then that's their responsibility.


  • Posts: 26,052 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I won't date a short man because I'm not attracted to short men. I'm tiny myself - sub 5ft - and I completely recognise that being small is a much bigger deal for a man than a woman and I've never had any issue attracting men. The stereotype is that small women are petite, cute, neat etc., short men are shortarses with angry short man syndrome. It's not fair, but as your friend is finding out OP, no one has a right to be found attractive and most small men know that the majority of women find greater height more attractive. Just like a majority of men find a woman with nice hips and breasts attractive.

    A (say) flat chested or overweight girl would do well to develop her best points in terms of personality and appearance to compensate for her lack of appeal in some areas, and a short man would do well to make sure the parts of his appearance and personality that he can change reflect the best of him too.

    If a woman says something hurtful to a man about any physical characteristic - height, baldness, weight, looks, whatever - when she's rejecting him, she's being at best thoughtless and at worst deliberately bitchy. And the same for men.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,086 ✭✭✭TheBeardedLady


    "I would not date a man who is shorter than me".

    I don't think that's the same as saying "I like tall men".

    I can't see how the first comment is necessarily derogatory. Obviously out of context with any indication of the intonation used, it's hard to tell but as it stands, it's not a derogatory comment and will only hurt the feelings of a man who's sensitive about his height.


    Let's reverse it. How about a man saying in front of a variety of women:

    "I would not date a flat-chested woman."

    How would that go down?

    Not well if the woman is insecure about her flat chest but the comment is possibly tactless but not derogatory. If a comment is derogatory, it's usually said with the intention of hurting the person in question.


    I know several women who have done this who are not arseholes. I think sometimes it just doesn't even occur to them that a man is going to be offended by a comment about his physical appearance.

    It's tactless then, perhaps but I wouldn't agree it's derogatory.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,894 ✭✭✭Triceratops Ballet


    newport2 wrote: »

    Let's reverse it. How about a man saying in front of a variety of women:

    "I would not date a flat-chested woman."

    How would that go down?

    I have heard a group of blokes say stuff like this about the type of women they would or would not date, while working in an office full of men, (though they were not as pc as you) aside from the fact that its inappropriate talk for the office, it doesn't bother me I wouldn't take personal offense to someone stating a preference that I don't fit into.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭✭Jawgap


    newport2 wrote: »
    I'm not talking about stating what you like. I've heard women on multiple occasions say - often in front of a guy who was short -

    "I would not date a man who is shorter than me".

    I don't think that's the same as saying "I like tall men".



    .....

    I think these are pretty much one and the same - someone is expressing a preference. That said, the tone conveys the meaning - either of those phrases blurted out in a patronising fashion by someone bursting their arses laughing after they've been asked out is bound to be hurtful (as well as a pretty good indication that the person is, in fact, a tw@t)

    You can question the wisdom of basing a preference on a single attribute, but I wouldn't regard it as a reason to get upset - anymore than a women saying she wouldn't date a Leinster fan, a ginger haired guy, etc.

    It's as daft as things like 'blondes have more fun!'


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 272 ✭✭Lalealynn


    I have dated a guy who was 5'6 I have dated guys who were over 6 FT I have a preference for taller men but I can be attracted to short guys if they have something.

    The thing is some men (I don't know why) I am just not physically attracted to. I would simply say you are not my type. But usually people internalize that with some negative things about themselves. 'She does not like me because of this or that'. Really I did not maybe like how they treated me or simply I just did not like THEM. It means nothing about who they are only we are not comparable or they don't know how to make me feel good.

    I guess I am classically good looking according to popular culture. But to be honest men go for what they go for. Personality counts a lot more for women. I am aware this might offend some men. But I am a nice person but I get guys whom I have NOTHING in common with life wise or background wise attracted to me. I am polite and I try to treat people decently but there is no way these guys like me for my personality we are too different and have different values. They just want their h*le. Well no I mean that in a nice way really they simply are more driven by the physical aspect and I can't feel that as much. I only give my heart to someone who has committed to me and where they is compatibility for the long term emotionally.

    My friends tend to think I date losers :-/ But all in all I have really only dated one bad guy (awfully life damaging experience utterly horrific but I learnt) the rest of the people who have come this way have been pretty cool.

    But it was said above that it should simply be that you are not my type. You would be lovely for someone else etc. That person is still a person with feelings and self esteem. And they have a right to feel 'hot' and 'sexy' and attractive and good about themselves man or woman.

    'Personal preference/attraction is fine, being a dick is not. '

    Here Here.

    TO be honest I can't give a list of what I go for. One characteristic looks different on different people You know what I mean? If a guy says he likes Kate Moss that means one thing to one person and another to someone else.

    What individuals are attracted to is not a universal standard of beauty. That is the beauty myth and it's very damaging. Be on the inside looking out not the outside looking in at yourself.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,613 ✭✭✭newport2


    Jawgap wrote: »
    I think these are pretty much one and the same - someone is expressing a preference. That said, the tone conveys the meaning - either of those phrases blurted out in a patronising fashion by someone bursting their arses laughing after they've been asked out is bound to be hurtful (as well as a pretty good indication that the person is, in fact, a tw@t)

    You can question the wisdom of basing a preference on a single attribute, but I wouldn't regard it as a reason to get upset - anymore than a women saying she wouldn't date a Leinster fan, a ginger haired guy, etc.

    It's as daft as things like 'blondes have more fun!'


    I guess the point I was trying to make is that saying in front of a woman with blonde hair that I wouldn't go out with a blond haired woman is different to me than saying to her that I like brunettes. The former is saying I don't care much for an attribute she has, the latter is saying I like an attribute she doesn't have. And I think it's worse if it relates to something they can do nothing about, like height or their nose or something else like that.

    Anyway, think I'm out-numbered here, so I'll concede defeat. :)


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  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Regional East Moderators, Regional North West Moderators Posts: 12,526 Mod ✭✭✭✭miamee


    People have personal preferences. Weight preferences are not specific to men and height preferences are not specific to women. They are two separate issues, IMO. Some women will not go out with a man who isn't X height or at least taller than her, equally some men will not go out with a woman who is taller than he is (or maybe who is taller when wearing heels).

    I'm not sure where weight came into a discussion about height? Both men and women can be put off by a potential partner being over or under weight.

    I agree that some people can go way OTT in their specifications but everyone has things they think are deal-breakers no matter how unreasonable or outlandish they might seem to someone else.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭✭Jawgap


    newport2 wrote: »
    I guess the point I was trying to make is that saying in front of a woman with blonde hair that I wouldn't go out with a blond haired woman is different to me than saying to her that I like brunettes. The former is saying I don't care much for an attribute she has, the latter is saying I like an attribute she doesn't have. And I think it's worse if it relates to something they can do nothing about, like height or their nose or something else like that.

    Anyway, think I'm out-numbered here, so I'll concede defeat. :)


    I see what you are driving at - preference can be expressed 'positively' as in "I prefer tall men" or 'negatively' as in "I'd never date a short guy"

    I suppose the first one doesn't categorically rule out the short-arses :D

    It's probably nicer if the person expressing the preference does so positively - thus demonstrating a degree of emotional intelligence, making her more attractive and a bigger let down when she opts not to date you.......


    ........therefore, better she simply says, "no shorties" and you regard it as a lucky escape!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,512 ✭✭✭baby and crumble


    As a woman who is exclusively attracted to women, I don't know if I should weigh in here, but personally I find it very strange being with women who are taller than me. I really dislike the feeling. Pretty much all women I find attractive are shorter than me, but as a 5'10" women that's not hard! But maybe it's just a comfort thing, being with someone taller feels weird.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,846 ✭✭✭✭Liam McPoyle


    newport2 wrote: »
    I'm not talking about stating what you like. I've heard women on multiple occasions say - often in front of a guy who was short -

    "I would not date a man who is shorter than me".

    I don't think that's the same as saying "I like tall men".



    Let's reverse it. How about a man saying in front of a variety of women:

    "I would not date a flat-chested woman."

    How would that go down?

    I don't think saying that you won't date someone with a particular physical attribute comes across the same as saying that you like a particular physical attribute in others. But maybe I'm wrong.



    I know several women who have done this who are not arseholes. I think sometimes it just doesn't even occur to them that a man is going to be offended by a comment about his physical appearance.

    I think with the two bolded parts, context and how its delivered is key.

    For example, a female saying "I would not date someone shorter than me" in front of a group of men, some of whom may be shorter than her, is fine.

    However directing it at someone ie "I would not date you because you are shorter than me" is personalising it and is not cool, likewise if it was a guy talking about boob size or whatever.

    FWIW I do think someone saying "I would not date someone shorter than me" or "I would not date a flat chested woman" is the same as saying "I like tall men" or "I like larger breasted women", maybe thats just me though. Two sides of the same coin imo.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,514 ✭✭✭BrianD3


    From my experience as a short (actually a pretty average 5' 9.375") man, many women have major hangups about height and there is no reasoning with them. I have had women insist that I must be a jockey and I have had exchanges similar to the one below with women.

    Woman: I like tall men
    Short Man: Why?
    Woman : Because they're tall and manly and can protect me
    Short man: Well I may be short but I'm more than capable of protecting myself and others
    Woman: Angry short man alert!

    Then there is the mocking of men for "compensating". A short man realises that his height puts him at a disadvantage but that there is little or nothing he can do about it. So he works on things that he can change like his career or his body or grooming etc. He then gets mocked for that.

    Let's say the guy is interested in cars for his own enjoyment and not to impress anyone. He buys a BMW, Porsche etc. Behind his back or possibly to his face, people are sneering about compensating, how can he see out of it, does he sit on a cushion in it.

    Another example of how short men are mocked - "short men have small dicks". Any study I've read refutes this or found that the difference in penis size between very tall men and short or average men was small. Again, I am an angry short man (with a small cock) for mentioning these studies.

    On boards.ie it's acceptable to refer to short men as smurfs, hobbits or squirts etc. However I'm not allowed to criticize this in this thread as
    charter wrote:
    Criticism of any other forums across Boards,the moderation of these forums or anything to do with these forums will result in infractions and/or ban's for the guilty parties. this includes comments such as "this wouldnt be tolerated in TLL"/"imagine what would happen if i posted that in TLL" etc


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 40,549 CMod ✭✭✭✭ancapailldorcha


    Lalealynn wrote: »
    But to be honest men go for what they go for. Personality counts a lot more for women. I am aware this might offend some men.

    I actually find it heartening to be honest. I've had no luck with women in the past and a fair few have echoed this point when I've found myself discussing the subject with them. I'm not hideous (I hope) but I'm not muscled Adonis either.

    I'd see no reason to objectify a woman if I was to tell her that I didn't find her attractive. I'd either say that she wasn't my type or just say that I already had a GF. Not really found myself in that situation yet though.

    The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

    Leviticus 19:34



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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,105 ✭✭✭beano345


    Woman: I like tall men
    Short Man: Why?
    Woman : Because they're tall and manly and can protect me
    Short man: Well I may be short but I'm more than capable of protecting myself and others
    Woman: Angry short man alert!

    Protection from what,robbers?an atom bomb?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,130 ✭✭✭Roquentin


    pwurple wrote: »
    It has become a problem here, I know this because a friend was offered growth hormones for her 2 year old, because he looks like he will be about 5'5 when he is an adult. She refused them. The doctors spoke about bullying, finding a girlfriend/wife etc. His father isn't tall, has a wife, and was never bullied, so they completely dismissed this.

    Apparantly a huge amount of spanish boys are given growth hormones for this reason.

    It angers me that little boys are medicated for this.

    lionel messi


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,130 ✭✭✭Roquentin


    a lot of sexual attraction is sub conscious......you may be attracted to someone but dont know why. this is because the sub consciously you are aware but not consciously. for example: a woman may look at a man and say he is attractive Why? consciously: he is good looking but sub consciously: he is big, strong, funny, good education etc and all these traits come together to call attraction

    people are programmed from evolution to desire certain traits and for a woman one of these traits is strength. a lot of the time it is sub conscious in that she would not be aware that his height is a feature of the attraction. for some reason height gets the neurons firing and then if she saw a small man, she would not be attracted because sub consciously she is not impressed by his stature.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,449 ✭✭✭✭pwurple


    Roquentin wrote: »
    lionel messi

    Ah yes, golden balls himself. Got growth hormones and grew to 5'6 or so?

    No shortage of success for that particular short man though! Good for him!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,846 ✭✭✭✭Liam McPoyle


    BrianD3 wrote: »
    From my experience as a short (actually a pretty average 5' 9.375") man, many women have major hangups about height and there is no reasoning with them. I have had women insist that I must be a jockey and I have had exchanges similar to the one below with women.

    Woman: I like tall men
    Short Man: Why?
    Woman : Because they're tall and manly and can protect me
    Short man: Well I may be short but I'm more than capable of protecting myself and others
    Woman: Angry short man alert!

    Then there is the mocking of men for "compensating". A short man realises that his height puts him at a disadvantage but that there is little or nothing he can do about it. So he works on things that he can change like his career or his body or grooming etc. He then gets mocked for that.

    Let's say the guy is interested in cars for his own enjoyment and not to impress anyone. He buys a BMW, Porsche etc. Behind his back or possibly to his face, people are sneering about compensating, how can he see out of it, does he sit on a cushion in it.

    Another example of how short men are mocked - "short men have small dicks". Any study I've read refutes this or found that the difference in penis size between very tall men and short or average men was small. Again, I am an angry short man (with a small cock) for mentioning these studies.

    On boards.ie it's acceptable to refer to short men as smurfs, hobbits or squirts etc. However I'm not allowed to criticize this in this thread as

    Im about 5'9 and do not consider myself short, certainly I dont consider myself tall either but among a wide circle of friends with the odd exception up or down, Im pretty much the same height wise as the majority of my mates.

    In my 35 years Ive dated a fair share of women and not one of them have ever commented about my height, like wise any female Ive ever met in non romantic ways.

    So Ive either been very lucky in the people Ive met or you have been very unlucky.


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,188 ✭✭✭DoYouEvenLift


    miamee wrote: »
    People have personal preferences. Weight preferences are not specific to men and height preferences are not specific to women. They are two separate issues, IMO. Some women will not go out with a man who isn't X height or at least taller than her, equally some men will not go out with a woman who is taller than he is (or maybe who is taller when wearing heels).

    I'm not sure where weight came into a discussion about height? Both men and women can be put off by a potential partner being over or under weight.

    I agree that some people can go way OTT in their specifications but everyone has things they think are deal-breakers no matter how unreasonable or outlandish they might seem to someone else.

    I've explained this multiple times ITT in what I think is easy to understand terms. I'll break it down even further

    Height = totally genetic - cannot be helped or changed
    Weight = mostly personal choice - can almost always be helped and changed

    If its acceptable for people to openly discuss and reject others on height then it should most definitely be acceptable for people to openly discuss and reject others on weight without being shamed or called a shallow asshole etc.

    This is especially ironic if the person who rejects people based on height is fat and gets offended and defensive at any mention of weight.

    As a woman who is exclusively attracted to women, I don't know if I should weigh in here, but personally I find it very strange being with women who are taller than me. I really dislike the feeling. Pretty much all women I find attractive are shorter than me, but as a 5'10" women that's not hard! But maybe it's just a comfort thing, being with someone taller feels weird.

    You should probably know the difference between women and woman if you are a woman yourself.

    I think with the two bolded parts, context and how its delivered is key.

    For example, a female saying "I would not date someone shorter than me" in front of a group of men, some of whom may be shorter than her, is fine.

    However directing it at someone ie "I would not date you because you are shorter than me" is personalising it and is not cool, likewise if it was a guy talking about boob size or whatever.

    FWIW I do think someone saying "I would not date someone shorter than me" or "I would not date a flat chested woman" is the same as saying "I like tall men" or "I like larger breasted women", maybe thats just me though. Two sides of the same coin imo.

    And if a man was in a room with a group of fat women and said "I would not date someone who's is fat", how do you think they'd react?


  • Posts: 26,052 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    In my 35 years Ive dated a fair share of women and not one of them have ever commented about my height, like wise any female Ive ever met in non romantic ways.

    Sometimes 5ft 9 is 5ft 9.

    And sometimes 5ft 9 is code for 5ft 6.

    I'm 4ft 11 (and a quarter!), I know about these things. :)


  • Posts: 26,052 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    I've explained this multiple times ITT in what I think is easy to understand terms. I'll break it down even further

    Height = totally genetic - cannot be helped or changed
    Weight = mostly personal choice - can almost always be helped and changed

    If its acceptable for people to openly discuss and reject others on height then it should most definitely be acceptable for people to openly discuss and reject others on weight without being shamed or called a shallow asshole etc.

    This is especially ironic if the person who rejects people based on height is fat and gets offended and defensive at any mention of weight.

    It's not ok for anyone to rudely reject anyone citing any aspect of their appearance. Who said it was acceptable to do that to short men?

    Oh and fat women (and men) are still entitled to preferences.


    You should probably know the difference between women and woman if you are a woman yourself

    Seriously?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,188 ✭✭✭DoYouEvenLift


    BrianD3 wrote: »
    From my experience as a short (actually a pretty average 5' 9.375") man, many women have major hangups about height and there is no reasoning with them. I have had women insist that I must be a jockey and I have had exchanges similar to the one below with women.

    Woman: I like tall men
    Short Man: Why?
    Woman : Because they're tall and manly and can protect me
    Short man: Well I may be short but I'm more than capable of protecting myself and others
    Woman: Angry short man alert!

    Then there is the mocking of men for "compensating". A short man realises that his height puts him at a disadvantage but that there is little or nothing he can do about it. So he works on things that he can change like his career or his body or grooming etc. He then gets mocked for that.

    Let's say the guy is interested in cars for his own enjoyment and not to impress anyone. He buys a BMW, Porsche etc. Behind his back or possibly to his face, people are sneering about compensating, how can he see out of it, does he sit on a cushion in it.

    Another example of how short men are mocked - "short men have small dicks". Any study I've read refutes this or found that the difference in penis size between very tall men and short or average men was small. Again, I am an angry short man (with a small cock) for mentioning these studies.

    On boards.ie it's acceptable to refer to short men as smurfs, hobbits or squirts etc. However I'm not allowed to criticize this in this thread as

    Does she not live in a civilised society or is she still living in the caveman days? What exactly does she need protecting from in this day and age?

    Candie wrote: »
    It's not ok for anyone to rudely reject anyone citing any aspect of their appearance. Who said it was acceptable to do that to short men?

    Oh and fat women (and men) are still entitled to preferences.





    Seriously?

    Who said they weren't?

    And yes, seriously. I'm not a grammar Nazi but that mistake seems to have gotten really common lately and I'm not sure how it's possible to mix up simple plurals and singulars as adults, when we learn them in primary school.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,776 ✭✭✭raze_them_all_


    My gf always called me short(im 6'0) and all that and has a thing for tall men, in her own words around 6'6, I find it utterly infuriating because I once made the comparison to it being like she has small breasts it's something that can't be changed and she got in a huff over it.


    I love the fact that 6'0 is tall for a male but since she had an ex 6 years ago who was 6'6 everyone is classed as short but if i mention a thing about her physical appearance i become a shallow dick


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,620 ✭✭✭enfant terrible


    BrianD3 wrote: »
    From my experience as a short (actually a pretty average 5' 9.375") man, many women have major hangups about height and there is no reasoning with them. I have had women insist that I must be a jockey and I have had exchanges similar to the one below with women.

    Woman: I like tall men
    Short Man: Why?
    Woman : Because they're tall and manly and can protect me
    Short man: Well I may be short but I'm more than capable of protecting myself and others
    Woman: Angry short man alert!

    Then there is the mocking of men for "compensating". A short man realises that his height puts him at a disadvantage but that there is little or nothing he can do about it. So he works on things that he can change like his career or his body or grooming etc. He then gets mocked for that.

    Let's say the guy is interested in cars for his own enjoyment and not to impress anyone. He buys a BMW, Porsche etc. Behind his back or possibly to his face, people are sneering about compensating, how can he see out of it, does he sit on a cushion in it.

    Another example of how short men are mocked - "short men have small dicks". Any study I've read refutes this or found that the difference in penis size between very tall men and short or average men was small. Again, I am an angry short man (with a small cock) for mentioning these studies.

    On boards.ie it's acceptable to refer to short men as smurfs, hobbits or squirts etc. However I'm not allowed to criticize this in this thread as

    How is 5' 9 short?

    Take off your shoes and measure your height your probably not 5' 9 if you think your short.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,188 ✭✭✭DoYouEvenLift


    My gf always called me short(im 6'0) and all that and has a thing for tall men, in her own words around 6'6, I find it utterly infuriating because I once made the comparison to it being like she has small breasts it's something that can't be changed and she got in a huff over it.


    I love the fact that 6'0 is tall for a male but since she had an ex 6 years ago who was 6'6 everyone is classed as short but if i mention a thing about her physical appearance i become a shallow dick


    Perfect example of how illogical and hypocritical some women can be in regards to this whole thing. You may have to make some simple to read pie charts and graphs to get your point across and help her understand why her getting mad for receiving the same treatment she gives you is stupid and needs to stop.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,802 ✭✭✭beks101


    Candie wrote: »
    Sometimes 5ft 9 is 5ft 9.

    And sometimes 5ft 9 is code for 5ft 6.

    I'm 4ft 11 (and a quarter!), I know about these things. :)

    Yeah this.

    Over my years of dating the one common theme I found was that height was a particular sore spot for many men, and most would over-estimate (or just plain outright lie) about how tall they were.

    It's prolific in online dating.

    I remember years ago meeting a guy from a dating site who's profile said he was "5'8". Met up with him and in small heels I was taller than him (I'm 5'1, so that would have put him at about 5'3 or '4). Now I don't tend to have hard and fast rules about what I'm into but it was a weird dynamic and just didn't really 'fit' for me.

    I told him I wasn't really feeling it and he lost the rag at me, 'get over myself' and like I had grounds to discriminate on height when I was as short as I was etc...and this was without me having uttered a thing about his physical stature.

    So when you meet a guy who clearly has a massive chip on his shoulder about his height, everything and anything you say or don't say will appear derogatory, even the most benign, matter-of-fact statement such as 'I like tall men'. That's a preference, not a slight against every man everywhere who happens to be less than average height.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,130 ✭✭✭Roquentin


    beks101 wrote: »
    Yeah this.

    Over my years of dating the one common theme I found was that height was a particular sore spot for many men, and most would over-estimate (or just plain outright lie) about how tall they were.

    It's prolific in online dating.

    I remember years ago meeting a guy from a dating site who's profile said he was "5'8". Met up with him and in small heels I was taller than him (I'm 5'1, so that would have put him at about 5'3 or '4). Now I don't tend to have hard and fast rules about what I'm into but it was a weird dynamic and just didn't really 'fit' for me.

    I told him I wasn't really feeling it and he lost the rag at me, 'get over myself' and like I had grounds to discriminate on height when I was as short as I was etc...and this was without me having uttered a thing about his physical stature.

    So when you meet a guy who clearly has a massive chip on his shoulder about his height, everything and anything you say or don't say will appear derogatory, even the most benign, matter-of-fact statement such as 'I like tall men'. That's a preference, not a slight against every man everywhere who happens to be less than average height.

    you were being heightist..... shame on you:)


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 819 ✭✭✭Beaner1


    beks101 wrote: »
    Yeah this.

    Over my years of dating the one common theme I found was that height was a particular sore spot for many men, and most would over-estimate (or just plain outright lie) about how tall they were.

    It's prolific in online dating.

    I remember years ago meeting a guy from a dating site who's profile said he was "5'8". Met up with him and in small heels I was taller than him (I'm 5'1, so that would have put him at about 5'3 or '4). Now I don't tend to have hard and fast rules about what I'm into but it was a weird dynamic and just didn't really 'fit' for me.

    I told him I wasn't really feeling it and he lost the rag at me, 'get over myself' and like I had grounds to discriminate on height when I was as short as I was etc...and this was without me having uttered a thing about his physical stature.

    So when you meet a guy who clearly has a massive chip on his shoulder about his height, everything and anything you say or don't say will appear derogatory, even the most benign, matter-of-fact statement such as 'I like tall men'. That's a preference, not a slight against every man everywhere who happens to be less than average height.


    Small man syndrome. That's why women usually avoid.


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