I suffer from "Cute Girl Syndrome" - when you have sweet, childlike features that affect the way people treat you. I have a short, curvy physique and a round, youthful looking face. Combine my physical traits with a cheery disposition, and it allows people to make judgments about me without getting to know me. While being thought of as a nice person or physically cute can be endearing, it can cause some problems. Here's a few issues I face on a daily basis, as told by my inner pessimist, April Ludgate of Parks and Recreation:
1. People always assume you're down to cuddle.
While I like hugging as much as the next person, I have days where I do not want to be touched by anyone, even by friends and family that I'm close with. A lot of times if I'm having a bad day I need alone time, not cuddle time. It's nothing personal, sometimes I just need my own personal space. This also goes along with being picked up in the middle of a hug - I'm not the biggest fan of being swung around in the air. Just ask first!
2. You're constantly carded at bars and restaurants.
This usually happens when I'm out to dinner with my family versus when I'm out with my college friends. My siblings are 27 and 30, respectively, and actually look their age. I'm 22 and I look like I'm 17. Genetics aren't fair. I've had many bartenders and waiters look at me skeptically, as if they don't believe that I'm of legal drinking age.
3. Sometimes men infantilize you or sexualize you.
What's the lesser of two evils - being talked to like a baby or treated like a sex object? Literally both of these suck, and it's something I have to deal with a lot. Whether it's a Tinder date going wrong, a professor being condescending, or some guy in a bar trying to hit on me, it would be nice if I was treated like an intelligent human being worthy of respect.
4. It's shocking and "unladylike" when you swear or are angry in general.
I'm normally a very positive person. There are a few things, though, (such as everything on this list) that make me frustrated and prone to lash out. I'm a not a perfect person, and I try not to swear in public. However, sometimes the best way to release anger is a good, old-fashioned f-bomb. It's very frustrating when people are upset when I swear, or when I show anger and frustration. Just because I try to put on a pleasant front, it doesn't mean that I'm not allowed to express negative emotions.
So what exactly am I trying to say here?
While I like the perks that come along with being a short girl, sometimes it gets frustrating when people make assumptions about how I'm "supposed" to act according to my stereotype. Just remind yourself to think twice before you speak or do an action that treats a person as a stereotype, not as a person.
