Tales of a Short Person in a "Tall" Society
By SaintAnne
@SaintAnne (5453)
United States
January 10, 2009 12:35pm CST
I am 5'3", give or take. And I am aware of the glaring difference when I stand next to Boyfriend who is past the 6-foot mark. But I have never wished so sincerely that I could be taller. I am happy with my height.
But then there are instances when I feel being "shorted" (excuse the pun). Today, I heard the bell rang at Boyfriend's house and of course, my initial reaction was to look at the peephole to see who was at the other side of the door. Surprise, surprise! It was up there, about a handful of inches more above my head. So I had to take a peek at the window and open the door to an older woman with two adorable little girls. They were there to introduce me to the love of God. The older (she seemed nice) woman hurriedly scooped up the little girls to leave when I said that the house is not mine but Boyfriend's. I have also reminded Boyfriend to have a stepper handy in the kitchen for me to get to the highest shelf.
At work, I have to do a little jump to get to the coffee filters if I want to make coffee. Otherwise, I have to embarassingly ask a taller co-worker to reach it for me. This has stopped me numerous times from making coffee at work even though I so need and crave it.
When I drive the work van, I almost always have to move the driver's seat closer to the wheel and pedals. When someone else drives it, they need to move the seat back.
Do you sometimes feel "shorted"? Or do you feel that everything is still too low?
4 people like this
11 responses
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
10 Jan 09
Whow! I thought 5'3" was tall! I'm 5 feet, almost! There are stepstools in every room in the house, and the peephole in the door is reachable if I'm wearing heels or if I jump up to it. I always have to have things adjusted, and at work, I often ask students to let me borrow their height and reach things for me. It isn't easy being more than a foot shorter than my husband, either!
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
11 Jan 09
Hahahaha.... just goes to show it's all a matter of perspective!
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
11 Jan 09
Whenever I take a peek at the peeohole, I always try to be stealthy... but it is not stealthy if you jump to see who is on the other side. They will hear you from where you are. 
But I will definitely borrow your way of having taller people reach for you. I will "borrow" other people's height.
Thanks, cobrateacher.
But I will definitely borrow your way of having taller people reach for you. I will "borrow" other people's height.
Thanks, cobrateacher.1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
13 Jan 09
6 foot 8? Woah! What grades are you teaching, cobrateacher, if you do not mind telling.
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
11 Jan 09
Hello Ms Saintly!! You have reminded me of my favorite song, hehehehe... I'll sing it for you!
It's a world of laugh-ter
A world of tears
It's a world of hopes
And a world of fears
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all
There is just one moon
And one gold-en sun
And a smile means
Friendship to ev'ryone
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world
Hehehehe, how's that for payback??? 
My sister is 5'4" and I never thought of her as 'short'. Personally I am practicing being a giant... I walk down by the river and look out over the treetops and be careful not to step on any of the little people running around. In the 'real' world I am only 5'7, but I don't live in the 'real' world so it doesn't matter.
Why don't you keep some filters at your desk, that way you can have coffee whenever you like without being at the mercy of all us giants out here! 
My sister is 5'4" and I never thought of her as 'short'. Personally I am practicing being a giant... I walk down by the river and look out over the treetops and be careful not to step on any of the little people running around. In the 'real' world I am only 5'7, but I don't live in the 'real' world so it doesn't matter.
Why don't you keep some filters at your desk, that way you can have coffee whenever you like without being at the mercy of all us giants out here! 3 people like this
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
11 Jan 09
We vertically challenged folk appreciate that you walk carefully and you don't squish us!
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
11 Jan 09
"It's a small world after all!!!" I am contemplating of you sending you another link to that song, Ziggy since you obviously like it a lot.
Being in nature does not make me feel like a giant though (maybe I should try that way) but it does make me feel like a dot in a sea of beauty and enormousness.
As for desks, I do not have a desk at work. It is more of a residential building and we can't have filters lying around as our clients will simply get to them and then we are out of filters.
Being in nature does not make me feel like a giant though (maybe I should try that way) but it does make me feel like a dot in a sea of beauty and enormousness.
As for desks, I do not have a desk at work. It is more of a residential building and we can't have filters lying around as our clients will simply get to them and then we are out of filters.
@riyasam (16556)
• India
11 Jan 09
saintanne,that is average height.i am around 5'4".but i like men to be heigted,i mean 6 foot or more but(humor)i fell for a man who is less than 5'5"..i also find it difficult to reach the racks above me,i call my hubby to help me if he is around(i say jokingly,husbands have to be good at something,naa)
.i also find it difficult to reach the racks above me,i call my hubby to help me if he is around(i say jokingly,husbands have to be good at something,naa)
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
12 Jan 09
Yup, sometimes love can do that to you. Our "standards" and "requirements" go out the door. At least he can still reach the racks above you, riyasam. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
12 Jan 09
hello spitbombs,
I know height isn't everything. I mentioned in the post that I am happy with my height. But that there are just instances when I know I am shorter than the rest. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@AnakSuNamun (2084)
• United States
10 Jan 09
I'm 5'3" as well and I never felt deprived of anything. Well,except certain clubs and concerts where you seem to be crowded by selfish giants lol
The only thing I have to worry about is how far the seat will go when I drive somebody else's car since I like to be really close to the pedals
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
10 Jan 09
It is not the matter of "liking" to be close to the pedals, it is a matter of driving safety.
Giants, they do tower over us. Thanks, anaksunamun.
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
11 Jan 09
I am just at five foot...so I know your pain. When i drive I look like an old woman and it takes me about two minutes to adjusted (the seat) because I feel like I am on top of the steering wheel....
If something is on top shelf I always have to ask for my taller friends to get it...or jump and grab.
But the advantages are of being short....you will always look young. So think of it that way.
2 people like this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
12 Jan 09
I hope it stays that way (me looking young) for a while. I still would get carded and sometimes a lot of 21 year olds think they are older than I am.
Thanks, taface.
1 person likes this
@tammytwo (4298)
• United States
12 Jan 09
I hate going to the grocery store and trying to reach items on the top shelf. I often have to use an item from my cart to pull another item from the shelf. One time I was standing there trying to get something to come forward when a very tall man walked around the corner. I felt stupid and he politely asked if I needed help. Of course I accepted and thanked him for his kindness. Other than that I don't really have a problem with being five foot two inches tall. I am all right with it. After all I have never been tall so I might as well be used to it.
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
13 Jan 09
Speaking of grocery stores... I once was looking for some cheap good coffee and I could not find anything within eye level. And then I looked up and they were all up there above my head. Like you, I had to use something else to get them but I had to do it carefully as I know it might fall on me and it looked quite heavy. Unfortunately there was no nice tall man to save me that time. Thanks, tammytwo.
@sheenshaukat (2617)
• Pakistan
11 Jan 09
O no, No need of being too much tall. It does not seem good. If you want to make you an attractive personality, then you should modify your character. Your way of talking and your work could be appreciated by the people. Height is not only factor to look attractive. There are much many more factors to look one magnetic personality. There are many people with little height they are famous in their field. You should learn some thing from those and forget to become high enough.
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
11 Jan 09
Hello sheenshaukat. I did not say I wanted to be taller. I said "I am happy with my height" and if I did wish I was taller, it is not for other people but for certain moments like I mentioned, i.e. looking at the peephole with no problem at all or getting to the highest shelf without asking someone or getting on a stepstool.
Thanks for your response, sheenshaukat.
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
11 Jan 09
Hi there!
Reading your post made me smile. I can relate so much in this topic cause I am petite too.
My height is only 4'10" and most of the time it becomes the joke in my family. Whenever we have gatherings my cousins laughs about my being so small. But I don't mind it. I got used to it and laugh about it too.
But sometimes my height becomes a hindrance to work and finding a partner. There are jobs that require height specially receptionist, secretaries and the like that requires a lot of communication to other people representing a company. Sadly, but those that are the jobs that I really like to experience. While in finding a partner, guys thinks that I'm still a teenager. Taller girls looks more attractive too.
But these things didn't stopped me. I was still able to work as a secretary. Though I have to admit that sometimes I feel too low, I still love my height. I know small/tiny is cute hehe.
Ciao!
Reading your post made me smile. I can relate so much in this topic cause I am petite too.
My height is only 4'10" and most of the time it becomes the joke in my family. Whenever we have gatherings my cousins laughs about my being so small. But I don't mind it. I got used to it and laugh about it too.
But sometimes my height becomes a hindrance to work and finding a partner. There are jobs that require height specially receptionist, secretaries and the like that requires a lot of communication to other people representing a company. Sadly, but those that are the jobs that I really like to experience. While in finding a partner, guys thinks that I'm still a teenager. Taller girls looks more attractive too.
But these things didn't stopped me. I was still able to work as a secretary. Though I have to admit that sometimes I feel too low, I still love my height. I know small/tiny is cute hehe.
Ciao! 1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
12 Jan 09
Hello Iskayz. Do not feel bad about your height. And you still got a job that you wanted! Ever heard of the saying "good things come in small packages"? I hope you remember that always.
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
11 Jan 09
Hey anne! Nice to see you! Well, just another thing that we
have in common! I am 5'3" too! In fact I was 5"3 1/2", but
I went for a medical exam on Thursday only to find that I have
shrunk 1/2"! And I was upset to hear that! I know they say
that you shrink when you get older, but I had not really
thought I would, although I have been feeling a bit shorter
than I was and I was right! Yes, there are times that I do
feel a bit short when I have to reach things too! And now
that I know about that 1/2" I really feel short! It also
depends on who I am around! My bf is only 5'8" so he is
certainly no giant! But, I find that I am calling him more
often to reach things for me so I don't have to get my
stepladder! It never used to bother me before, only lately!
I thought I was 5'4"! Then that would mean I lost and 1"!
On no!
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
11 Jan 09
Oh, Opal. Those half inches are crucial. I think I may be 5 foot 2 and a half but I have been telling people that I am five three that I may have finally convinced myself that I am that height. I am sorry to hear that you are losing those inches and yes, it is but normal for people getting to a certain age to shrink. But I sure hope that is the only "not-so-good" news you got during your medical exam.
I always ask Boyfriend to reach for things when he is around. If not, a chair takes his place.
I haven't been on myLot lately as I have been busy and a certain service provider sucks.
I always ask Boyfriend to reach for things when he is around. If not, a chair takes his place.
I haven't been on myLot lately as I have been busy and a certain service provider sucks. 
@morningstar369 (495)
• United States
11 Jan 09
I began shorter than you. I was 5' 2" now after loosing 2 disks in my lower back I am 5' 1". I can't reach anything and it is a pain in the a--. I have step ladders all over the place. Sometimes I wish I was taller. I'm ok I guess. What choice do I have at my age????
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
11 Jan 09
I don't know what choice we have at our age(s), morningstar but to accept things that we cannot change? I think that is a line from Desiderata.
You take care, morningstar. I hope I did not come off as complaining in my post but merely to point out certain incidents that makes me think about my height.
You take care, morningstar. I hope I did not come off as complaining in my post but merely to point out certain incidents that makes me think about my height.