Why are heavy people not taken seriously?

Brother Luke

I gained nearly three stone in a year and people look at me like im scum. Why?

Jesus Wept

**** people.

Junkyard Tom

Hitler was skinny. That means you're a good person.

Arghus

Because they're always trying to make out that things are deep and meaningful. When we all know it's about having the craic and the bants with the lads.

gizmo81

People are horrible. It's one of the last areas where someone can be truly horrible about other human beings and get away with it.

There's a complete lack of empathy for people who struggle with their weight.

I believe a number of different factors are at play in the discrimination of overweight people.

Mainly class and gender in my opinion.

With overweight men they are not regarded as masculine, considered soft and feminine. Overweight women are seen as the opposite of feminine, not dainty for example.

Funnily, compared to historically, overweight people are now regarded as of lower socio-economic bracket.

This 'tough love' approach from people on the net comes from such a place of ignorance. So many factors come into play when a person is overweight and it's not always as easy as saying stop eating, walk more.

I know it's easy to say don't pay them any mind but don't.

Brother Luke wrote: »

I gained nearly three stone in a year and people look at me like im scum. Why?

dreamers75

if you cant look after yourself well what can you look after.


Probably that.

riffmongous

Brother Luke wrote: »

I gained nearly three stone in a year and people look at me like im scum. Why?

3 stone of rock hard muscle? Probably just jealous

#gainz

dd972

Look at tv adverts or those UK property programmes where some Giles and Amanda, both of whom are under 30, are buying a £600,000 house in Wiltshire with a bespoke kitchen the size of an aircraft hanger. Most of these people aren't necessarily gym freaks but have this trim and tidy look about them. Born for life.

I've noticed that in these times there's a certain facial and physical archetype that's deemed socially acceptable, and if you don't have it then you're out of the game, especially with the face. The more 'middle class' you're perceived as then the easier ride you get.

MistyCheese

Too hard to kidnap, if sandwich boards have taught me anything.

At no other time in history have we been as fixated about looks and shape as this teeth whitening, gluten free, gym going, paleo diet, selfie obsessed era. Blame Pat Divilly, Dave Avocado Wolfe, The Body Coach etc. etc who claim to be all about the inner you and tut tut about judging people, but still fire up the before and after pics. And your local gym instructor who parrots their nonsense.

Richard Hillman

Because they lack discipline.

Beta Ray Bill

People love to judge OP, because they're busy body c*nts.
Usually cause they are already miserable.

Best thing you can do is piss them off an make their lives more miserable.

When people "look down" at me, I just start farting. (Real wall paper stripper stuff now)
It pisses them off.

I think because:
A) It's extremely rude
I've stunk them out
C) I've shown them that they are nothing and I couldn't give a f**k what they think.

Try it.

Phoebas

grahambo wrote: »

People love to judge OP, because they're busy body c*nts.
Usually cause they are already miserable.

Best thing you can do is piss them off an make their lives more miserable.

When people "look down" at me, I just start farting. (Real wall paper stripper stuff now)
It pisses them off.

I think because:
A) It's extremely rude
I've stunk them out
C) I've shown them that they are nothing and I couldn't give a f**k what they think.

Try it.

The fact that you start deliberately farting at people (:() indicates that you care deeply what they think.

Richard Hillman

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Because they lack discipline.

That is the perception. It's such a ridiculous myth, don't you agree? I mean, how incredibly judgemental. And just how important is "discipline" anyway, have you ever said "I really like that person, s/he is so...disciplined"?

Richard Hillman

[Deleted User] wrote: »

That is the perception. It's such a ridiculous myth, don't you agree? I mean, how incredibly judgemental. And just how important is "discipline" anyway, have you ever said "I really like that person, s/he is so...disciplined"?

The thread is about being taken seriously, not being liked.

Beta Ray Bill

Phoebas wrote: »

The fact that you start deliberately farting at people (:() indicates that you care deeply what they think.

Really?

How so?
I though it would be more along the lines of letting them know what I think of them?

Wait a sec, are you a shamer that wants me to stop farting!? :P

Gavlor

Fwiw, as a marathon runner I'm not carrying any weight.... the amount of fat f&ckers telling me a need a good feed wrecks my head.

Sit down there before you tackle that stairs lard arse

Beta Ray Bill

Gavlor wrote: »

Fwiw, as a marathon runner I'm not carrying any weight.... the amount of fat f&ckers telling me a need a good feed wrecks my head.

Sit down there before you tackle that stairs lard arse

Again... People are c*nts

Galwayguy35

Exercise and diet change is what's needed, then the weight will come off.

I know because I was fat as a kid and yeah the comments got me down but it only made me more determined to lose it, not sitting around feeling sorry for myself.

Phoebas

grahambo wrote: »

Really?

How so?
I though it would be more along the lines of letting them know what I think of them?

You could, you know, use your words.

grahambo wrote: »

Wait a sec, are you a shamer that wants me to stop farting!? :P

If you think you're being 'shamed' to stop deliberately farting at people, then I think you're probably beyond 'shaming'

Richard Hillman

Richard Hillman wrote: »

The thread is about being taken seriously, not being liked.

Um, you said they were thought of as poorly disciplined, and I agree that that is the myth perpetuated by society. Not sure about the relevance of whether that makes them less well liked, or less well regarded, the difference seems rather fine, the issue should be why that is so and why do we tolerate it?

Beta Ray Bill

Phoebas wrote: »

You could, you know, use your words.

But then I have to "think", and we both know how I feel about having to think

Phoebas wrote: »

If you think you're being 'shamed' to stop deliberately farting at people, then I think you're probably beyond 'shaming'

You're probably correct

Galwayguy35

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

Exercise and diet change is what's needed, then the weight will come off.

Or...don't bother...unless it's a health issue and a doctor advises it.

LincolnHawk

Maybe you're just being paranoid OP?

Teyla Emmagan

You're imagining it OP, because you feel bad about yourself. You're projecting.

PixelTrawler

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

You're imagining it OP, because you feel bad about yourself. You're projecting.

Spot on, this is the answer.

Teyla Emmagan

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

You're imagining it OP, because you feel bad about yourself. You're projecting.

Ah seriously. To deny that society judges people by weight and appearance and it's not merely "projecting" is to ignore the obvious. Open social media, look at gym culture, it's not propelled by a desire to run faster or jump higher, but by a fixation with looking better.

Jim Bob Scratcher

Because some people are kunts

B0jangles

Richard Hillman wrote: »

The thread is about being taken seriously, not being liked.

Think positive Rich - if you aim for one you just might achieve the other some day!

Beta Ray Bill

Deleted User wrote: »

Ah seriously. To deny that society judges people by weight and appearance and it's not merely "projecting" is to ignore the obvious. Open social media, look at gym culture, it's not propelled by a desire to run faster or jump higher, but by a fixation with looking better.

+1

This X 1000

It's the selfie age!


Need pictures of me looking good and having fun to post on social media so everyone can see how good I look and how happy I am

It's a piss take, complete Narcissism.
Any pics I take are generally of other people or "Stuff" like vehicles or scenery
never take selfies unless I'm making a stupid face.

People who engage in this without a doubt look down on people that aren't like them (obsessed with image)

Wanderer78

Deleted User wrote:

Ah seriously. To deny that society judges people by weight and appearance and it's not merely "projecting" is to ignore the obvious. Open social media, look at gym culture, it's not propelled by a desire to run faster or jump higher, but by a fixation with looking better.

Facebook generation is just weird, so glad I've never had an account. Live your life the way you want to, you don't need approval from others, just be happy, and If you're not happy, change things

Horusire

I think i subconsciously look down on overweight people because I view them as having no personal discipline and therefore no self worth.

Iam talking grossly overweight now not just a typical Irish man or woman.

However I am probably a product of my environment having grown up in the selfie era with facebook etc.

Also a gym rat with no social media accounts so I guess I am an oddity

biko

Why do people think that everything that affects them, affects everyone like them?

keith_sixteen

I was in a theme park with the kids recently.

Those places really are a haven for fat people.

B0jangles

biko wrote: »

Why do people think that everything that affects them, affects everyone like them?

1.) Conversely, why do (some) people think that they are better informed about something than the people actually affected by the thing in question?

2.) Check the thread - there are already a few posts confirming that at least some people do think poorly of fat people, and purely because they are fat.

Minderbinder

Judging people by their weight or looks really says a lot more about the people doing the judging. It says you have no other way to compare yourself to that person in which you come out on top.

Being overweight doesn't necessarily mean someone lacks discipline in other areas of their life. Indeed, gaining weight often goes hand in hand with building a successful career.

Being overweight is and always has been a sign of success. How often do we ever see the skinny people as world leaders, or having real power?

In my experience the educated and successful people don't judge people on their weight. It's low level thinking.

ToddyDoody

gizmo81 wrote: »

People are horrible.

I have such amazing simple advice for people and I can't understand why it's so hard to grasp.

"Leave me alone"

The ratio of me minding my own business to other's not minding their own business is mind boggling quite frankly, and one for the psychology books.

trsvod

This generation is so strange. All done up to the last and constantly looking down on everyone. Not just fat people. If you're not up to their standard in any way they will look down on you. Mostly women but men too.

I saw on twitter the difference between a 14 yr old girl in the 90s and one now and it just makes the point of how much pressure you're under now to be 'perfect'

I used to care what people thought about me massively and it ruined me. But when you realise it doesn't matter what people think especially those you'll never see again, and don't give a **** about them, you'll feel awesome.

Be whoever you want to be. Don't be someone other people want you to be

Are Am Eye

A lack of gravity gravitas

Naos

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Because they lack discipline.

Deleted User wrote: »

That is the perception. It's such a ridiculous myth, don't you agree?

How is it a myth?

Horusire

Minderbinder wrote: »

Judging people by their weight or looks really says a lot more about the people doing the judging. It says you have no other way to compare yourself to that person in which you come out on top.

Being overweight doesn't necessarily mean someone lacks discipline in other areas of their life. Indeed, gaining weight often goes hand in hand with building a successful career.

Being overweight is and always has been a sign of success. How often do we ever see the skinny people as world leaders, or having real power?

In my experience the educated and successful people don't judge people on their weight. It's low level thinking.

I think the opposite. Can you give an example of someone with real power who's grossly overweight?

Trump? Not obese
Merkel? Fat not obese
Buffet? Old so doesn't really count
Gates? Average
Zuckerberg? Average
Juncker? Thin

Wanderer78

Horusire wrote: »

I think the opposite. Can you give an example of someone with real power who's grossly overweight?

Trump? Not obese
Merkel? Fat not obese
Buffet? Old so doesn't really count
Gates? Average
Zuckerberg? Average
Juncker? Thin

subjective but id class both trump and merkel as obese

Pac1Man

Wanderer78 wrote: »

subjective but id class both trump and merkel as obese

They both wear big old worn tyres.

seenitall

??

Assad, Putin, Obama, Blair, Thatcher, Cameron, a lot of very powerful politicians are actually as thin as toothpicks, if not just simply slim... Not to mention Gandhi...

InTheTrees

B0jangles wrote: »

1.) Conversely, why do (some) people think that they are better informed about something than the people actually affected by the thing in question?

I think thats an important point.

Its like ex-smokers. Those that have lost the weight and appear to be slim now may have been through hell to get that way, and may be struggling to stay that way.

So they have an opinion.

Pac1Man

seenitall wrote: »

Not to mention Gandhi...

They say Gandhi was so thin that when he was shot, he fell to the ground like an autumn leaf.

gizmo81

Food addiction is one of the most complex issues.

You cannot go cold turkey, you need to eat to live, that makes it the hardest of all addictions to control. You never have to taste a cigarette or alcohol again but you need to eat.

Like all addictions it is tied up with our emotions.

People that have a bottle of wine a night aren't judged because it's not immediately visible, but the person who eats a multipack of crisps is judged because it's visible.

No one wants to sit down and eat a multipack of chocolate.

And judging people just reinforces the cycle of shame that binging breeds on. You are part of the problem not the solution.

Beta Ray Bill

gizmo81 wrote: »

Food addiction is one of the most complex issues.

You cannot go cold turkey, you need to eat to live, that makes it the hardest of all addictions to control. You never have to taste a cigarette or alcohol again but you need to eat.

Like all addictions it is tied up with our emotions.

People that have a bottle of wine a night aren't judged because it's not immediately visible, but the person who eats a multipack of crisps is judged because it's visible.

No one wants to sit down and eat a multipack of chocolate.

And judging people just reinforces the cycle of shame that binging breeds on. You are part of the problem not the solution.

+1

I'm totally addicted to food.
I'm not too overweight as I hit the Gym 3 days a week, but if I didn't I'd be massive!

I can't help myself, if there is food there, I'm gonna eat it.

seenitall

Pac1Man wrote: »

They say Gandhi was so thin that when he was shot, he fell to the ground like an autumn leaf.

*somewhat guilt-ridden lolz*

Taylor365

It like an intelligent person who smokes.


I recommend the C-Food diet.




















See food and eat it :pac:

...I'll get me coat...

Sciprio

People become obese because they don't really look after themselves probably, eat lots of junk and instead of going out for a walk or something they might drive everywhere.

When i buy food i always go for the high calorie foods and i'm still small but i do lots of walking nearly everywhere. I don't get taxis or buses and just walk.