Dear people shorter than me,
I hear your struggles, your complaints, and your cries of agony. God just didn't give you an extra couple of inches that you have always yearned. You have had to face the trauma of walking through a crowd with the fear of getting stampeded. You've had to wear the tallest of stilettos because your prom date was too tall. You've lacked the confidence to walk up to someone for an introduction or a confrontation.
However, I'm here to assure you that everyone has insecurities with his or her height. The following are the most annoying and awkward situations my outlier of a height has brought with it:
1. Selecting the proper shoe size
Imagine finding a pair of really amazing and stylish flats that you could wear at any event and still walk comfortably. Imagine checking the price of the shoe and being pleasantly surprised that it's on clearance. Imagine going shoe shopping and coming out of the store within an hour.
Tall people can only imagine, all of the things above. For us, shoe shopping is like a scavenger hunt, but the eggs are just nowhere to be found! You eventually will notice time flying by, after trying on the 20th shoe and not fitting into it.
2. Having to Stand to Take Pictures
Nothing can equate to being called in for a photo session and being shoved to the back. No matter how gorgeous you may be, the shorter person gets the advantage on this one. And let's hope the photographer didn't manage to snap you head out of the picture!
3. Looking down at Someone to talk to him or her
While this does allow me to enact authority, I still feel as if I'm towering over the person. It seems like the world is a better, livelier place when you're a short person. Due to the difference in altitude, women of height feel highly pressured! (literally)
4. Science hates both of us
Scientists have found a gene that correlates height to the number of cells. It's a protective gene that relates to human size. The taller you are, the more cells you use up in your lifetime, and the harder your cells have to work to protect themselves from damage and deterioration.
Science also hints that in today's obesity-laden world, short people are at a disadvantage because they are more prone to arterial diseases. Science is dynamic, but I'll just choose my first argument to strengthen my point.
5. It's a culture shock for many (in my culture)
Being of Nepali heritage is a lifetime guarantee of fresh food and your parents saving you from financial troubles.
Every time I visit Nepal, people stop in the middle of the road, turn their heads and say, "Ammamama, katro manchhe hola!" (Oh my gosh, look at how gigantic this person is). But it doesn't end there. My own family members tease me every time I get up to move. They even ridicule my shoe size!
Here nn Monroe, I had been feeling somewhat comfortable with my height, until I enrolled at ULM (mini-Nepal, really). I have met less than 5 people, out of about 200, that share my height or tower over. And the best part is, I'm the only female with this WONDERFUL gift.
6. Being refined as a post player in the basketball team
Having played in a school basketball team in my middle school years, I am living proof that height doesn't correlate with success on the game floor. While I was able to score for several games, I was limited to scoring due to my position as a post player. My biggest strength was defense when opposition came to score, but that proved to be my personal aberration. I eventually grew unhappy with the fact that due to my position, I could only shoot layups and free throws. Nevertheless, it was a learning experience: Height doesn't guarantee success.
I believe a person's worth shouldn't be correlated with his or her overall body length. However, the beauty of hovering over others comes with a hefty price tag. Next time you feel ashamed of your height or decide that life is unfair, do understand that life is unfair for us tall people too.
