Dear People Taller than Me (which is basically everyone),
I have been on this Earth for almost 20 years and have been the shortest person around for pretty much all of them. As someone who is only five feet tall, I have learned that people see and treat you differently than they would if you were, let's say, three inches taller. There are some things that I would like to say to anyone taller than me that I feel are universal for any girl five feet two inches and shorter. So, without further ado, here we go...
1. I am not an armrest.
Sure, you may appreciate the fact that I am the perfect height for you to put your arm on my head or shoulder and walk around without the need to support it. Let me tell you something: you have a shoulder for a reason. I promise, your arm will not fall off if it is not utilizing my head as its permanent arm rest. Please and thank you!
2. I am not a small child.
This applies to a couple of things. First, I do not like to be picked up. Sometimes it's cute if you only do it once in a while. Even if you hug me and accidentally pick me up, not realizing that I am as short as I am, then it's OK. But please do not try to lift me in the air, Lion King style, or hold me like a small child; it'll only make me want to punch you.
Secondly, just because I have the physical body of an eight-year-old does not mean I have the mind of one. Remember, my brain has been around for just as long, if not longer, than yours. I do not need you to talk down to me. Trust me, I can understand you when you talk politics. Don't think that, just because my genes hate me, I cannot compete with you. I can out-think you, out-debate you and overall out-do you just as well as any other woman can. Don't forget, just because I am small does not mean I am lesser than you.
3. I have little legs.
Please learn to walk slower! Why is everyone always in a race to get somewhere? Hello! Small person slightly jogging, trying to keep up with you! Please, be considerate of the tiny people in your life and learn to walk at a toddler's pace. We, and our leg muscles, will be internally thanking you forever!
4. I can get things off the top shelf.
If you see me struggling to reach something, don't automatically assume I need help. I am an adult (even though I don't look like one). Being small has its advantages, one of which being that I can climb extremely well. I can get on top of the counter, use the lower shelf as leverage or sometimes even scale the wall in some way to get what I am after. Unless I ask for your help, please don't assume that I am helpless. Or just ask — don't go grabbing without letting me know that you are available to help me.
5. Don't ask me how short I am.
Trust me, I get it enough from the other seven billion plus people in the world. It's OK if you ask me once and drop it, but don't drag out the conversation and make me feel any more insecure about my height than society already does. I am proud of who I am and I am aware of how short I am, so please don't draw attention to it unless it is absolutely necessary.
6. Please stick close in crowded spaces.
I can't see more than five inches off the ground. I won't be able to spot you if we are on a busy New York City street or in a crowded club. If you happen to slip away, I will most likely be lost forever. If you turn around and notice I have disappeared, stay where you are. I am most likely coming, just taking longer than you would. My legs can't carry me as quickly as yours, so please try to stick close. I don't like being lost.
Overall, just be considerate of people in general. You wouldn't ask someone who was five feet six inches how short they were or try to pick them up. If you wouldn't single another person out for something, don't do it to us. We are people, too. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Every Short Girl Ever
