Throughout history being short has always been seen as a disadvantage. Although in today’s world the stigmas are much less, I still get pity looks when I tell people I am only 4’11”. So many times I see short people on TV with some sort of complex about how horrible their life has been because of there below average height. As a child I was routinely called names like midget, short-stack, small fry, etc. Not since middle can I remember wanting to be taller. Here is my TALL list of 20 reasons why being short has it’s advantages (at least for me)!
- No need to duck for low doorways, branches on the sidewalk, etc.
- Automatic advantage in the game of limbo. (at least in the first couple rounds because I am not as flexible as I used to be to bend all the backwards)
- Less distance to squat when using a public toilet. I figured this out today when I wore heels to work and realized how low the toilet seemed. Gross, I know, but so true!
- I never have to worry if the cute guy I like is shorter than me, I can wear heels anytime and he’s probably still got 1′ on me.
- Discounts…although I have search a little more I usually find one pair of petite pants or small shoes that no one wanted that are on sale from $70 to $10.
- It can sometimes be a “cute” factor in a good way, not just the “you look 12!” way.
- I can use my height to flirt, by asking a taller guy to help me get something from a top shelf, etc.
- I can hide easily, such as in suitcases, under clothes racks, etc.
- Get under the tailgating tent in a rain storm before it’s even been raised.
- Stand up and stretch my legs as soon as a flight gates even if I’m at a window seat.
- Never have to worry about not having enough leg room.
- Get to pick my rental car, because I can’t drive certain makes/models. Often times this leads to a free upgrade because I can’t drive sedans very well but can drive SUVs because of how the pedals are situated.
- Can easily get to the front of a crowd by saying I can’t see. This has worked at many open venue concerts/events.
- Don’t need to splurge on a king size bed because my feet hang off the end…although I love king size beds anyway and will definitely own one eventually.
- Can blend in as a kid to get Virginia Tech football player autographs. This worked once!
- Can still play in the McDonald’s playplace!
- Can join the LPA and hang with the stars of “Little People, Big World”. I am 3/4″ too tall right now, but plan to ask my doctor to measure me at my next appointment and to slouch considerably so my height can be changed on my records. 🙂 (This is part of my evil plan to retire and get disability money from the government)
- Fairly certain I will never get drafted by the US military, and YES I signed up for the draft when I turned 18 to prove a point to all my guy friends who complained about having to do it.
- Don’t have to hurt my back from bending over to pick things up, it’s not that far to go.
- Can bob and weave lower in a boxing match….
….and with that I’m off to boxing class….peace!