Height

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PakGamer

So, I turned 17 a bit back and I really just now started to realize something pretty much more than ever.
I was 5'8 when i turned 15 .. and I'm still 5'8 now .. a number a bit lower than the average and that is certainly true in my case. Out of 24 students in my class I'm definitely shorter than at least 10. If you count the 18 girls I'd say I'm shorter than 3-4. Either way, lately I can't seem to get it off my mind and everywhere I go I subconsciously try to compare my height with everyone else which is getting pretty annoying lol. So the question is ... how much does height really matter to an average person ( girl or boy)? And in which factors of life if any do you think it matters most?
Am I really getting way too sensitive about the issue or being shorter than average really is a problem the way I see it.
 
You're not going to get over your irrational insecurity no matter what anyone in this thread posts about your height. You seem to have a bit of understanding that this is irrational as evidenced by your last line, and irrational things aren't fixed by simple statements by others.
 
I haven't started the thread to get over my insecurity nor to prompt someone to comment on my height.It's a discussion on how much people think that height is important in life and in which aspects, perhaps the op was a bit misleading.
 
Though he predictably said it as condescendingly as possible, Chris is me is right about the whole irrationality thing - in the grand scheme of things this is pretty irrelevant. I wouldn't expect a career as a professional basketball player or anything, but this sort of thing just doesn't matter much for much of anything in life.
 
Synre said:
this sort of thing just doesn't matter much for much of anything in life.
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Not true. Height does matter. There have been numerous studies into it, and for men at least being taller results in being perceived as 'better' in a number of ways.

One key result was when the same stranger was introduced to different groups of people, and said to be in different job roles (research assistant, lecturer, professor I think it was). The groups were then asked to estimate the height of the stranger, and the estimate was higher when they thought the stranger was in the higher-status positions.

The effects are relatively minor, but present. In any case, there's not much you can do about it.

And anyway, 5'8", though a little below the US and UK averages (which are 5'9"-5'10"), is hardly 'short'.
 
Not to mention if "PakGamer" indicates anything you are basically of average height IIRC? It's been four years since I've been in Pakistan so I've forgotten how tall people get over there.

I think you're making a big issue out of this because 5'8" isn't really short at all.
For the record I am of Pakistani origin myself and am 5'11" (I am turning 18 in a month so I guess my growth stops here), however I am still the shortest South Asian (besides one or two) in my school year, out of...20ish students. The strangest thing is despite all the psychological advantages of being tall or whatever I wish I were shorter, reason being my personality isn't what I'd imagine a tall person's to be like. Sorry if that doesn't make much (if any) sense; welcome to my world!

Height may be important if you want to be high school bully or professional basketball player but even midgets can be CEOs, so I don't think it makes that much of a difference in the long run if you are able to stand the thought of being shorter than everyone else (which you are not btw).
 
6'3.5" tall Dutchie.

My orthodontist, who has known me since I was 9, and tiny, and saw me grow up to be about twice her size since she is a tiny Italian woman, suggested I play basketball.
 
No one is perfect, everyone has something about them that they may not like but learn to live with it. Suck it up <_<
 
I'm 21 and I'm 5'6". Be grateful for what you have.

But really, other than the occasional good-humored short joke and not meeting the height requirement for sperm donation it really hasn't bothered me. I'm not taken any less seriously because of my height and I'm sure as hell not seen as "inferior" to someone who's a little bit taller than me.
 
I used to actually be really insecure about my height in high school. However, those insecurities seemed to have diminished for the most part over time (I'm now 22, and 5'6"). I seem to be able to hit it off just fine w/ girls (who are shorter than me, of course), and other guys tend to be less intimidated by you, so I feel like it's easier for me to make friends. It still sucks when I see a really pretty girl who's taller than me though, or when I struggle cause some tall asshole's standing right in front of me at a show, but that's life. I've noticed that most people respond to one's confidence a lot anyways, so I can get by on that.
 
TaiCrunch said:
Philip, ever try going after a girl who's taller? I know quite a few who actually like shorter guys that think it's cute.
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I haven't, nor do I think I ever will, lol. My gf is only like an inch shorter than me, and when she wears heels she's slightly taller and it feels awkward :(
 
TaiCrunch said:
I'm 21 and I'm 5'6". Be grateful for what you have.

But really, other than the occasional good-humored short joke and not meeting the height requirement for sperm donation it really hasn't bothered me. I'm not taken any less seriously because of my height and I'm sure as hell not seen as "inferior" to someone who's a little bit taller than me.
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I just want to say HELL YES to this post. The only difference is that I'm 22 and not 21, but everything this post says is right on.

One huge advantage to being 5ft9in and less. Roller coasters are much easier to ride.
 
Philip7086 said:
I haven't, nor do I think I ever will, lol. My gf is only like an inch shorter than me, and when she wears heels she's slightly taller and it feels awkward :(
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Once you get past the initial awkwardness it's not too bad. I've dated a couple girls that were slightly taller than me.

Another advantage, I'm badass at limbo.
 
Of all the things to be insecure about.....I'm 5'7...seriously? Height shouldn't matter unless you're trying to pursue a career or something that makes it important. I was actually never bothered by being short- I was 5'0 in the 9th grade! Like Phil said, guys are less intimiated by you and girls think you're cute, though some in a friendly sort of way ~.~. It does have its advantages. Midgits are shoe-ins for limbo. =P
On a more serious note, worry about more important things like getting an education!

Edit:
TaiCrunch said:
Another advantage, I'm badass at limbo.
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Hahaha, I didn't see this til after I posted! See...
 
I won't lie, I like being tall. Sometimes it can be annoying, though. I'm currently looking into buying a car, and my height is a severely limiting factor. All of the vehicles in my price range are quite small. I have a kink in my neck from my mom's car. My friend's projector screen and my head have collided a number of times, much to his chagrin. I broke the chandelier in my piano room once, and I've cracked the lightbulb in my bedroom multiple times. Clothes are also a little bit harder to find at my height, though I suppose there must be a similar problem on the other end of the spectrum.

Ever see "the Fellowship of the Ring"? Remember that bit with Gandalf in Bilbo's hobbit hole?

Ignoring how vain this is, I'll say that my height gives me confidence. Physically, I think it lets me do things I couldn't, otherwise. There is some comfort in being "the tall guy", as well. "It's my gimmick"; my saving grace, aesthetically. Without height, I'm really not very attractive.

I also find myself sizing up people I meet, comparing our heights. Without thinking, I take some sick, base pleasure in being taller. But once in a while, I'm not. That certainly takes me down a peg.

While height does affect the way people treat each other, it comes with drawbacks on either end. I enjoy being tall, but it's not something you couldn't live without.
 
I'm pretty tall (a little over 6'3") and while I can't deny that I do really like being tall, it isn't without its inconveniences. Just think, for every girl that was too tall for you because she was 5'8" or 5'9", there's a girl way too short for me at 5'3" or something which at a certain point just begins to look ridiculous and be awkward. Being tall (and big in general, I'm like ~215lbs I think) is really great for sports definitely, and you get the perk of being difficult to physically intimidate, but aside from that I don't think it really matters that much. It seems like equally as many girls have found my height attractive as have found me too tall for them.
 
If you're Korean, then it does matter.

If not, then don't worry about it (this is my superficial understanding of western culture).
 
Well, I am 6' - 6'2" tall (not exactly sure, haven't measured in a while and foot/inch isn't natural to me) and I become 17 in 2 weeks, and honestly I find it nicer to be tall than small. Don't have to try to stretch when you pick stuff from higher shelves and stuff. Haven't had any negatives yet either (no destroyed bulbs, and car is 1 year from now anyways). But they aren't anything I could go "if I don't have them, I die" benefits. Just something that makes life slightly easier.
 
I'm 6'1'' or so, and I am almost 17. I like my height, because I am able to stand up tall and not look like a wimp or something, and yet I am not overly tall by any means. A little above average is best, but anywhere within 2 inches of the average(about 5'11") doesn't really matter whatsoever.
 
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