Person 1: "Do you see that girl over there?"
Person 2: "Which one?"
Person 1: "The big one with the brown hair and scarf"
Too many times that's how conversations go. I've definitely done the same thing too many times to count, but I want to change that. Why does everyone use weight to describe someone? There are hundreds of adjectives/nouns to use that will get your point across. I know, it seems harmless. You're probably thinking to yourself "Why does it matter if I say 'that fat person over there' or 'that skinny person'? They can't hear me." They might not be able to hear you, but why is that the extent of your vocabulary? No one, including you, can ONLY be described by their weight. Even if the person is naked and/or bald, you can easily say that naked, bald person over there.
This article isn't meant to make you feel terrible about yourself. It's just to make you more aware of what you say. It's a brain change. You wouldn't want your toddler to shout "MOM! Do you see that fat lady over there??" because that's embarrassing. But children aren't programmed to call someone fat/skinny. Those are learned words. They also don't just automatically know to use them as a description of a person. They hear it from you, television, and the people around them. So instead, why don't you 'teach' yourself and your toddler to use different words and completely avoid weight?
Examples:
Here is a VERY small list of other descriptive words that can be used.
- Describe the clothes they're wearing. "The girl in the red sweater, blue jeans, and scarf."
- What color is their hair?
- Maybe they have on a significant piece of jewelry? What is it?
- What kind of shoes are they wearing? What color are they?
- Do they have on a hat or glasses?
When looking for your mom in a crowd, do you look for all the skinny people and just try to narrow it down? Nope. You're looking for her hair, head shape, clothes. You're looking for her face.
CHALLENGE! I am challenging all of you to remove ANY and ALL words that have to do with weight (i.e. fat, skinny, heavy-set, stick-like, etc..) out of your vocabulary. See how much better you feel. Even about yourself! If you look in the mirror and avoid commenting on your own weight, you'll be able to focus on the more important thing like how BOMB your highlight is or how H.O.T you're looking in that dress. Maybe it'll also help you look inside yourself and start evaluating your personality, your thoughts, your heart. I accept the challenge. Will you?
