Confessions of a tall woman

I was out this weekend when I met a pretty tall Dutch girl. It's not so often that I meet women taller than me or even my height. We clicked immediately because we were both impressed with each other's height. It was laughs and giggles all evening, talking about the things we go through and love about being tall.

I only realized how tall I really was when I was about half way through primary school. That's when all the not-so-cute names referring to my 'abnormal' height got louder. Electric pole, Mount Everest, giraffe, and the like. It did not help that I was really skinny, some called me a toothpick. My brother teased me about my height at home but again he teased me about my big eyes, my lisp and many other things, his jokes were not valid. Today, I have a silly petite friend who likes to make fun of my height with the common joke: 'So, Linda what's the weather like up there?' And I reply, 'pretty good. Make sure you don't get stomped on down there dear.' Then she gets mad.

Fast forward into high school, my height felt a little uncomfortable. I was taller than most of the boys so getting asked to dance was ermmmm hard. I felt the pinch more when my crushes were too shy to ask me to the dance floor because I was taller than them. The moment I stood next to some, the crush disappeared like wind because it simply felt odd. The taller guys liked me more of course but why were they also the most annoying and not so easy on the eyes?  But that was alright. I always had lots of fun with plenty of friends and was usually the life of the party. I probably dodged having my heart broken too as I don't remember dating much.

My height has cost me several pairs of fabulous shoes and clothes that I can't fit in. Thank God for the new trend of ankle length pants, I don't have to look like a weirdo anymore. Being 180 meters comes with over sized feet too. Want to know what it means for a woman to have over sized feet? Read Women with long feet.
Wearing high heels often makes me feel like a giantess unless I am with equally tall people. One of the reasons I am grateful for my tall siblings, it's always relaxing hanging with them, never awkward.
Legroom on planes and  in tiny cars is a problem. Even worse, when you have to sit in the back or the person in front of you pulls back their seat. We are made for big, spacious cars. Period :-)
When it comes to hugging much shorter people, it's just weird. Either we have to bend too low and look ridiculous or have the other person's head on our chests.
I'd love to be easily carried off my feet into the air and swung back and forth like the ladies in the movies. With my height, that would be a quite mission for my partner. Piggy back rides are a trick too. Eek!

Tall people problems

Once you're over those little drawbacks, being a tall has its pros that make it super awesome.
There is a respect and authority you automatically command. Not so many people will dare to piss you off. Chances of being bullied are pretty low. We somehow come off as strong and intimidating.
We don't disappear in crowds, we just look over them. At concerts we never have to fight for the front rows. Too bad we can't help blocking the view too.
We can reach high places like shelves without the help of a stool.
We have an advantage in sports. I will have to admit that advantage skipped me though. Damn it! Can't remember the number of times I have been asked if I play basketball? Volleyball? Anything?
In my skinny days I was mistaken for a supermodel a lot or asked to do some casting. That, at least I tried.

Here, go ahead and have a good laugh at some tall girl struggles.

Did you know that several studies have shown a statistically significant correlation between height and intelligence? Research teams have found that there is an association between height and IQ.
There is an air of confidence good height brings. My height is a self esteem boost.
My husband strangely likes it that I am inches taller than him in heels. Still don't understand why. Could it be the long legs? *Wink*. Guess I am unique, it's hard to forget 'that tall girl'.

Can I hear an Amen from tall women and tall women lovers out there!

LT