I'm a little above average (6'4") and while every short person thinks being tall is nirvana, there are some disadvantages to it. Here are some of them.
Pros:
*A tall person tends to be intimidating which helps keep them out of trouble.
*Some girls feel safe around a big guy.
*You get a good view at a concert.
*Short guys are incredibly jealous of you.
*Tall guys tend to be more successful, which is possibly the result of height discrimination.
*You're likely to be better at basketball and other sports (I suck at all sports).
Cons:
*You easily hit your head on ceiling fans and light sockets and door jambs and other such things.
*It's hard to get into and out of some cars, and there are many cars a tall guy simply can't ride in certain cars, especially the back seat. I sat in a late model Camaro and while I could sit straight up without hitting my head, if I leaned forward at all I hit my head on the roof. It's a shame, because the Camaro is a beautiful car and a good value with good performance. Once I rode 3 hours in the back seat of a Mazda MX-6. It was pure hell. I could not even come close to sitting up, and I had to lean to the middle of the car just to be able to fit.
*It's hard to find clothes that fit. I have a long torso and short legs, and I have to wear a 2XL shirt just for it to hang low enough to cover my belly.
*Some girls are intimidated by large guys.
*Simple things like the counter at a convenience store are too short. The world is made for somebody about 5'10".
*In some rooms with extremely low ceilings, it's impossible to stand up straight.
*The 69 sexual position is impossible with most girls.
*Full sized beds are too short. Our feet hang off the beds.
*You get knocked in the head at concerts because of morons crowd surfing.
I wouldn't call you "a little above average." For white males, the 95th percentile is 6'3". I'm a hair under 6'2" and even I tower over some groups of people.
Two more disadvantages of being tall:
- Riding a plane or bus - both fitting into a seat and navigating the aisle.
- Health issues and a shorter lifespan. I have bad enough circulation that I'm almost always cold (even with plenty of body fat), especially my feet.
Quote from: bugo on April 02, 2014, 12:58:01 AM
It's hard to get into and out of some cars, and there are many cars a tall guy simply can't ride in certain cars, especially the back seat. I sat in a late model Camaro and while I could sit straight up without hitting my head, if I leaned forward at all I hit my head on the roof. It's a shame, because the Camaro is a beautiful car and a good value with good performance. Once I rode 3 hours in the back seat of a Mazda MX-6. It was pure hell. I could not even come close to sitting up, and I had to lean to the middle of the car just to be able to fit.
Short people can have issues with cars too. My girlfriend is just a shade over 5 ft., and she was interested in buying a Dodge Avenger. After going through a major amount of hassle with David Stanley in Midwest City to get a test drive (we had to wait about an hour and a half because the car was "on the way" from some other location, and we probably wouldn't have bought from that dealer anyway for that reason), she was completely unable to drive the car because the seat had to be pulled all the way forward for her to reach the pedals, which caused her torso to be in contact with the steering wheel, making the car completely undriveable. We tossed the keys on the counter and left the dealership, having wasted an afternoon for no reason at all.
Really, society is pretty unforgiving of people at the extremes of any continuum.
Quote from: getemngo on April 02, 2014, 01:36:41 AM
I wouldn't call you "a little above average." For white males, the 95th percentile is 6'3". I'm a hair under 6'2" and even I tower over some groups of people.
Two more disadvantages of being tall:
- Riding a plane or bus - both fitting into a seat and navigating the aisle.
- Health issues and a shorter lifespan. I have bad enough circulation that I'm almost always cold (even with plenty of body fat), especially my feet.
Indeed, this is the reason why I dislike flying. I am just under 6'3, and it is almost impossible to sit on most airlines.
Quote from: Thing 342 on April 02, 2014, 06:43:03 AM
Indeed, this is the reason why I dislike flying. I am just under 6'3, and it is almost impossible to sit on most airlines.
It's easy enough to just say "take the front row/bulkhead seats" or "exit row", but the fact is that most airlines charge a premium between $10-50 for those privileges.
Quote from: bugo on April 02, 2014, 12:58:01 AM*You get a good view at a concert.
*Short guys are incredibly jealous of you.
Nah, we just get frustrated when you stand right in front of us, blocking our view of things - either oblivious or deliberately. Plus we don't like it when you tall people act all superior and bully short people for being short. Short people are not jealous of tall people - they find (many, not all) tall people uncourteous at best and boorish thugs at worst - it's hatred of the arrogance and ignorance, not jealousy. Short people might want to be taller, but only so they can take out the nephalem that bully them...
I don't envy vertically challenged (tall) people at all (though wish my legs were a little bit longer, or my waist a little bit fatter: for trouser purchasing purposes explained below) - you keep on having to duck, you keep getting in the way. On the tube, I feel tall (6'3 and above) people count in 'priority seat' category.
(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSw6BLp3Qf6k_aFphjrtmaGRLG0i5hoKdDkT8nDyGCqQZI2wnTJ)
I feel sorry for you guys! I pity you guys who couldn't stop growing until too late.
For 5'7 me, plane seats are fine, as are train seats (where airline seating is employed). The only issue I have is that I can't easily reach the overhead luggage racks on trains (though if I have my laptop bag and books, it won't fit there), so my bag gets in the way of my legs on crowded trains - but that's a problem with big bags and crowded trains, not of being short...
Quote*It's hard to find clothes that fit. I have a long torso and short legs, and I have to wear a 2XL shirt just for it to hang low enough to cover my belly.
I doubt you have short legs - short legs for your height, maybe...
I doubt it is actually hard for you to find clothes, especially as you live in the US and they have a much larger variety of sizes in stock. 2XL - that sounds pretty common to me (you may have trouble shopping in malls in the UK, but I doubt a lot). For me, on the other hand its different as I'm an odd size
Mine inside leg are something like 28" - that's short (short legs on trousers are 29"). My torso is a couple of inches longer than my average height brother, but his legs are a 32". Clothes designers and stock keepers in stores assume short-legs = fat and thin = lanky. Getting 30" waists is hard enough, but 30S trousers? no way, they are almost all 30L, with a couple of 30M thrown in. Even 32" waists don't typically get done with a short leg. His 32L is easy to find, while my 30S is impossible. I guess I can shop in the children's section and pick up an age 14/15, but the cut around the groin is tight and actually the children's section works on the assumption that if you are getting clothes of that size in the children's department, you are merely a big 12 year old wanting spongebob pjs, etc.
I basically see a pair of 30S cheap jeans once in a blue moon. I automatically buy them and retire an older pair, whose bottoms (of the legs) are gone (as 30S is still a bit long) as it is so long since I last saw a pair. Formal wear is a bit easier, as suits would be altered to fit as part of the service. That said, when getting my morning suit for weddings 9 years ago (it's a bit tight as I've got a bit bigger around the belly, and the pervy shop guy decided that I should get a wedgie when wearing it - perhaps due to my long torso, so waist to groin is longer than typical for my leg length. If I get enough money, I'll get a new one) we got bounced from place to place, with reasons that sound a bit like racism (Watford -> Slough as (South) Asian immigrants are smaller than British-born people and there's more of them in Slough. Slough -> Oxford Street as Chinese tourists are smaller and often get suits in Oxford Street). Thankfully on Oxford Street the chain stores' flagship stores had small enough trousers.
Quote*Simple things like the counter at a convenience store are too short. The world is made for somebody about 5'10".
It's a bugger for short people too!
I'm about the average height for a woman, and only 3" off the average height for my own gender, but reaching something off the top shelf in a supermarket - if it isn't at the front of the shelf, I need to stretch. It's just poor ergonomics.
I am neither tall nor short. This presents only one problem that I can think of — medium seems to be pretty much the first size to sell out of any item of clothing.
Are any of you tall folks among those who feel that reclining airplane seats is a very inconsiderate thing to do? I did not know until recently that this is a widely held opinion. There are fierce arguments about it online.
I think you "own" the right to recline your seat. That's one of the functions of the seat, after all. If you want to be courteous, that's fine, but in my opinion, it's not rude to use a natural function of the seat. Typical airline seats in coach don't offer that much room, but they actually do not recline much; just 2-4 inches. The row just aft of an exit row doesn't recline at all.
Many recently-designed interiors have panning seat cushions which slide forward as you recline, which eats into the recliner's legroom as a penalty. To be honest, I might only recline my seat if it's a long flight, I'm next to a large person, or I need a nap. But if I'm on a laptop, I need to be upright for it to be useful.
I've given up my exit row to someone who looked incredibly uncomfortable in a standard aisle seat. I've noticed most folks will oblige to tall or large folks out of courtesy, if possible. I'm usually in a window seat, and I don't like bulkhead seating, so I don't have this opportunity too often.
Sadly, the lay-flat seating one sees in advertising is extraordinarily rare for US domestic flights. Few routes use those types of aircraft, although I've been lucky enough on a single occasion to get that upgrade.
Back when I was working at a dealership, I had a customer who was 7'1". He only fit into the largest SUV, and he wore a bit of a sheepish grin because it seemed like everyone was looking at him. I suppose when you're almost a foot taller than everyone, you get more attention than the average person, when all you want is to do your day-to-day activities.
What if you're both tall and short?
I'm 6'0" tall, but rather long waisted and short legged. I have to find 29-30 inch inseams for pants (depending upon the cut - 29 is more common) and XLT for shirts. At least, Jeremy, places usually carry 2XL. They don't always carry the Tall variety of a shirt. It's also a pain to find something for a 50" chest. Dress shirts must be found in Long varieties with 18" necks.
This does have the advantage of fitting into the average airline seat with no problems for the legs, but the necessity of a window seat for the shoulders. It also means that I cannot buy a car with a short roof as I will sit as tall as a 6'3"-6'4" person in the seat, but need to be closer to reach the pedals.
Thinking of this topic...
Size 68 Extra Fat and a 12 Dwarf.
Being able to loom over people would be nice.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on April 02, 2014, 08:40:00 AM
I am neither tall nor short. This presents only one problem that I can think of — medium seems to be pretty much the first size to sell out of any item of clothing.
Not in my experience. Most places I've been in have plenty of small, medium and large clothing, and much fewer items in large, extra large, 2XL or 3XL.
I'm 6'1" and I've been pretty much a beanpole my whole life. I weigh 165 now, but through most of college I was 140 or 150. I wish there were longer Medium t-shirts. I think a large would still look too big around me, but I need the length.
I always seem to feel when shopping that the consensus must be if you are tall, you're also a large person, which is not always the case.
I agree that traveling by plane is a little inconvenient, more for the standing in small planes.
I hadn't thought of it, but my height may be why I'm very cold-natured as well. Plus that I'm leaner and not a lot of fat on me.
Up until recently, my wife and I had a full sized bed, and it was a pain because I didn't have enough room.
I'm 6'3", and while it's nice for me to be able to reach high things with relative ease, it's also easy for others who aren't so tall to take advantage of my height at work. I'm taller than all than about 3 or 4 people in the who store, so a lot of things I can easily reach, others need to use a ladder for. Which is where the annoyance comes it. A lot of times co-workers will just ask me to reach the items for them instead of getting a ladder themselves. And then there are times when they do get a ladder and still can't reach, so then I have to get up on the ladder for them. Most of the time I don't mind helping others out, but it cuts into my time when I'm trying to get my own work done. Luckily, we just hired someone who is about 6'7" or 6'8", so I can finally feel short next to somebody.
I also had someone ask me once if I was always this tall. I told them yep! I came out of my mother 6-foot-3!
I'm 6'2"ish, so I'm above average in height, but I'm one of the shortest among the guys I hang out with.
At college, fitting on a bed isn't an issue for me, but I find myself curling up in the fetal position when I sleep at home.
Another con to being tall is leg room. The one time I've flown, I didn't have a problem, but some cars and concert halls make it hard for me to sit comfortably.
Quote from: bugo on April 02, 2014, 12:58:01 AM
Pros:
*Some girls feel safe around a big guy.
Apparently, tall guys give good hugs.
I'm 5'7". One disadvantage: choice of women are smaller to choose.
Pro to being of average height: You really don't think about height at all unless somebody starts talking about it
I am 5' 11". It would be nice to be a round six feet, but otherwise I am pretty satisfied with my height, which is about one inch above average (for white Americans, average height is 5' 7" for women and 5' 10" for men). A family friend who is 6' 4" routinely had to fly first-class (not coach) for his job because he needed the extra legroom. And even at my somewhat lower height, I still occasionally bang my head on low-lying objects.
Most of my difficulties shopping for clothes have to do with my legs and waist. I weigh about 154 lb but have long legs and a short chest, so my starting point for trousers is generally 32" waist with 34" inseam, which is not very common. I have less trouble with shirts but M is a bit too tight while L tends to drape a bit too loosely. In general, off-the rack fit for me is adequate but not spectacular.
I'm 5'6". Not tall for sure, but tall enough to have never been called short. A car friend who's over 6 feet tall said there some sports cars (mostly Japanese) that he's too tall to fit in.
Quote from: corco on April 03, 2014, 07:10:56 PM
Pro to being of average height: You really don't think about height at all unless somebody starts talking about it
Exactly.
Quote from: golden eagle on April 03, 2014, 07:08:23 PM
I'm 5'7". One disadvantage: choice of women are smaller to choose.
If you're like me and prefer short girls anyway, that isn't a big problem.
Quote from: Takumi on April 03, 2014, 09:26:34 PMA car friend who's over 6 feet tall said there some sports cars (mostly Japanese) that he's too tall to fit in.
there are non-sports cars that I have trouble fitting in, but I don't recall them offhand. various rentals I've had. the Honda S-2000 is a bit tight as well, from what I remember.
I fit just fine in a CRX, except for whaling my right leg every time I shift into second.
Quote from: pianocello on April 02, 2014, 11:44:10 AM
Quote from: bugo on April 02, 2014, 12:58:01 AM
Pros:
*Some girls feel safe around a big guy.
Apparently, tall guys give good hugs.
Especially for women who themselves are tall.
I'm 5'7". One of my former co-workers is not only a few inches taller than me, but she also insists on wearing high heels. We are both real huggers, but meeting her on occasion at professional functions after I retired could get a little awkward (before my retirement, we both worked in the same office, and hugs then were out of the question).
At 5' 8" I feel like I tower over most other girls, so I'm kinda surprised that the average height is only an inch shorter. Both of my cousins are taller than me, though.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on April 03, 2014, 09:33:10 PM
Quote from: Takumi on April 03, 2014, 09:26:34 PMA car friend who's over 6 feet tall said there some sports cars (mostly Japanese) that he's too tall to fit in.
there are non-sports cars that I have trouble fitting in, but I don't recall them offhand. various rentals I've had. the Honda S-2000 is a bit tight as well, from what I remember.
I fit just fine in a CRX, except for whaling my right leg every time I shift into second.
His first example was the Acura NSX. He sat in the version with a targa top (similar to a convertible, but only the roof part is detachable), and his head stuck out of it with the roof off. Had it been the fixed-roof version, he wouldn't have been able to fit in it at all.
Most S2000 owners I know are about my height. I fit comfortably in one. The tallest person I know who owns one is my college history professor (off-topic, but his name is Dr. Love) and he was about 5'10" IIRC.
Quote from: Brandon on April 02, 2014, 10:07:38 AM
What if you're both tall and short?
I'm 6'0" tall, but rather long waisted and short legged. I have to find 29-30 inch inseams for pants (depending upon the cut - 29 is more common) and XLT for shirts. At least, Jeremy, places usually carry 2XL. They don't always carry the Tall variety of a shirt. It's also a pain to find something for a 50" chest. Dress shirts must be found in Long varieties with 18" necks.
I probably would wear XLT shirts if they were more common. I wore XL until I gained some weight, and now I've taken some of that weight off.
Quote from: vdeane on April 03, 2014, 10:10:44 PMAt 5' 8" I feel like I tower over most other girls, so I'm kinda surprised that the average height is only an inch shorter. Both of my cousins are taller than me, though.
Actually, I was relying on memory when I posted the average height values for white American men and women, and it turns out I misremembered: the true values are 5' 10 1/2" for men and 5' 5" for women. So you are three inches above average, not just one.
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Average_human_height#Average_height_around_the_world
The cite for the specific height values quoted above is here:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr010.pdf
I am an instance of Mendelian regression to the mean--5' 11" child (1/2" above mean) of a 5' 2" mother (3" below mean) and 6' 2" father (3 1/2" above mean).
Quote from: golden eagle on April 03, 2014, 07:08:23 PM
I'm 5'7". One disadvantage: choice of women are smaller to choose.
If you're like me and prefer short girls anyway, that isn't a big problem.
[/quote]
I used to joke with a former roommate (who was 6'2") that I was doing her a favor by dating someone who was also short, leaving the tall guys for the tall girls!
I'm 5'5.5", aka 165 cm. Mike is 5'7". It's a major pro being with someone who is almost the same height as me. Oddly enough, he has a longer torso and I have longer legs.
When I was in undergrad, I dated a guy who was 5'3". I didn't mind that he was slightly shorter. My sister-in-law is two inches taller than my brother.
The only con that comes to mind is when someone tall is standing in front of me at a concert and I can't see past them. I don't have a problem with pant inseams. I have clothing fitting issues in other areas (like my chest, which is disproportionally large, and my waist, which is also disproportionately large compared to my hips and the thickness of my legs)
I'm 5′4½″ (165 cm), and even if people say I'm around average height for a girl, I still feel kinda tall. :/ But after looking at that table, it makes more sense. Average female height in Canada is 5′4″, which is why people say I'm the "perfect height", But average female height in the Philippines is 4′11″, which is where I should be (average male height is 5′3½″). I don't know how exactly my genetics works, because I'm taller than both my parents (5′2~3″) and my dad's side is a weird mix of tall and short. :P
I'm 6'0" on the mark, or maybe even 5'11¾". More interesting is that I'm 130 lbs at age 20, which for my height is underweight. Note that I was 120 lbs from age 17-19 and the 10 lbs gain is an actual shocker to me. My diet is one of the most unhealthy things about me, and believe me, with it should I easily be 240 lbs. My metabolism is crazy.
I also have a pretty high vertical jump, standing is about 2'7".
Quote from: english si on April 02, 2014, 07:36:38 AM
Quote from: bugo on April 02, 2014, 12:58:01 AM*You get a good view at a concert.
*Short guys are incredibly jealous of you.
Nah, we just get frustrated when you stand right in front of us, blocking our view of things - either oblivious or deliberately.
It's not like we say "there's a short guy, I'm going to block his view." It just happens. When I'm at a show, I stand wherever I feel comfortable. I don't intentionally block anybody's view. If we went out of the way to not block anybody's view we'd be standing in the very back.
Quote
Plus we don't like it when you tall people act all superior and bully short people for being short.
I don't bully anybody for any reason. My best friend is 5'6". I harbor no ill will to short guys. Quit flattering yourself.
Quote
Short people are not jealous of tall people
I've found that to be untrue in many circumstances. Not all short guys are jealous of guys with height, but many of them are.
Quote
- they find (many, not all) tall people uncourteous at best and boorish thugs
This is the first time I've ever been called a "thug".
QuoteI doubt you have short legs - short legs for your height, maybe...
I wear 32" long pants, which are what average sized guys wear.
I tower at a whopping 5'8" (173 cm). It's damning since I like tall girls, but C'est La Vie. Doesn't stop me. :P
I'm half Filipino, but I'm actually an inch taller than my Caucasian dad.
Regarding weight, I was fat in high school. I weighed roughly 150 lbs (which for my height is pretty heavy considering I didn't work out), but got it down to 120 lbs and then back up to 135 lbs in non-fat. The fact that I walk and bike most places now as well as pay for my own food made me lose weight pretty fast. Also, my University has a free gym membership, so I do work out a little now.
I ended up at an average height for a guy; 5'9". I rocketed up to this height young though. By the time I was 12 I was this tall. In class pictures in grades 5, 6, and 7 I was always placed in the back row so I didn't tower over my classmates. Little did I know at the ripe old age of 12 I was done growing (up, anyway). In high school most of my male classmates caught up to me, and several passed me in height though.
My torso and arms are a normal length for my height. My legs, however, are a bit short. As a result, I usually have to pull the driver's seat pretty far forward in order to reach the pedals. I've had several friends ask me, "Dude, how do you drive like this?" The seat is so far forward that the steering wheel isn't too far from my stomach. Perhaps it isn't very safe if I were to be involved in a rear end collision since the steering wheel would probably become imbedded in me. But it is what it is, I can't change it.
Pants shopping becomes interesting too. I generally don't have a hard time finding my size, but it is a little on the odd side...36 inch waist, 30 inch instem. I usually wear jeans, so that size isn't unheard of. Purchasing dress pants can become a challenge though. Fortunately, I don't have to shop for dress pants all that often though, since I work a blue collar job. So, wearing jeans to work is fine.
Quote from: signalman on April 04, 2014, 03:33:36 AM
Pants shopping becomes interesting too. I generally don't have a hard time finding my size, but it is a little on the odd side...36 inch waist, 30 inch instem. I usually wear jeans, so that size isn't unheard of.
Yeah, that's what I wear too. I would like to get back down to 34" waist, but my car has a tendency to pull into parking lots of fast food restaurants all by itself.
My wife is a few inches shorter than me, but she has longer legs. As a result, we both have the same exact driving positions, which is real nice.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on April 04, 2014, 08:39:55 AM...but my car has a tendency to pull into parking lots of fast food restaurants all by itself.
You should have that looked into; could be the loose fry-rod ends or the steering rack is leaking burger grease.
Quote from: signalman on April 04, 2014, 03:33:36 AM
I ended up at an average height for a guy; 5'9". I rocketed up to this height young though. By the time I was 12 I was this tall. In class pictures in grades 5, 6, and 7 I was always placed in the back row so I didn't tower over my classmates. Little did I know at the ripe old age of 12 I was done growing (up, anyway). In high school most of my male classmates caught up to me, and several passed me in height though.
My torso and arms are a normal length for my height. My legs, however, are a bit short. As a result, I usually have to pull the driver's seat pretty far forward in order to reach the pedals. I've had several friends ask me, "Dude, how do you drive like this?" The seat is so far forward that the steering wheel isn't too far from my stomach. Perhaps it isn't very safe if I were to be involved in a rear end collision since the steering wheel would probably become imbedded in me. But it is what it is, I can't change it.
Pants shopping becomes interesting too. I generally don't have a hard time finding my size, but it is a little on the odd side...36 inch waist, 30 inch instem. I usually wear jeans, so that size isn't unheard of. Purchasing dress pants can become a challenge though. Fortunately, I don't have to shop for dress pants all that often though, since I work a blue collar job. So, wearing jeans to work is fine.
I never seem to have a problem shopping for pants, even though I'm 36" waist with a 29" inseam (or 30" depending on the cut). Yet I stand 6'0" tall. Shirts can be a pain in the ass though. I regularly need XLT (large and medium will never make it over the shoulders) just for the torso length.
I have a list of cars that I like to drive and a list of cars I hate to drive due to the torso length. Most Toyotas suck as they tend to be way too short, for example. I also have a strong dislike for the Ford Ranger for the same reason. One should not have his head touching the ceiling of the vehicle.
Office chairs also tend to be a point of contention. Many are far too short to support my shoulders comfortably. It's not fun having a chair hit you mid-back without supporting the shoulders. Then there's airline seats. Legroom is fine, I even fit nicely in the seat itself. However, the shoulder area could be a few inches wider. I solve the problem by getting a window seat when I fly just for the extra room to slide over into.
Quote from: formulanone on April 04, 2014, 09:50:32 AM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on April 04, 2014, 08:39:55 AM...but my car has a tendency to pull into parking lots of fast food restaurants all by itself.
You should have that looked into; could be the loose fry-rod ends or the steering rack is leaking burger grease.
I did, but all they claim is "Operator-error".
I'm 6'0" I'm ugly as homemade sin and overweight, but there are only two of my physical attributes that I wish were different.
One of them is that I wish I was taller.
Quote from: hbelkins on April 04, 2014, 11:04:34 AM
I'm 6'0" I'm ugly as homemade sin and overweight, but there are only two of my physical attributes that I wish were different.
One of them is that I wish I was taller.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryDOy3AosBw&feature=kp
I'm 6' 4", no good at hoops, can't put on a lot of muscle mass (but can put on a lot of flab if I don't watch what I eat -- there are some pics from my past that I'd like to delete all copies of). Happily married a long time, but it seems nonetheless that looks matter more than ever. People do treat you differently. That's why I'm at the gym and avoiding those scary carbs :-/
Quote from: hbelkins on April 04, 2014, 11:04:34 AM
I'm 6'0" I'm ugly as homemade sin and overweight, but there are only two of my physical attributes that I wish were different.
One of them is that I wish I was taller.
and the other is ... you want more nipples? fewer nipples?
Oh, and I forgot to mention, that in 7th grade I was probably 4"7' (short as fuck) while weighing around 70 lbs. I shot up in the 8th and 9th grades, and then slowly grew until the end of my senior year in high school. Oh, and no matter what I try, building any sort of muscle mass is impossible, so I'm pretty weak too (not that I honestly care). That's reason #17 why you won't see me in any branch of the military for as long as live.
Quote from: kurumi on April 04, 2014, 11:25:11 AM
Quote from: hbelkins on April 04, 2014, 11:04:34 AM
I'm 6'0" I'm ugly as homemade sin and overweight, but there are only two of my physical attributes that I wish were different.
One of them is that I wish I was taller.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryDOy3AosBw&feature=kp
I'm 6' 4", no good at hoops, can't put on a lot of muscle mass (but can put on a lot of flab if I don't watch what I eat -- there are some pics from my past that I'd like to delete all copies of). Happily married a long time, but it seems nonetheless that looks matter more than ever. People do treat you differently. That's why I'm at the gym and avoiding those scary carbs :-/
There was a point in my aging, and I don't know when it was, when those carbs started making me swell up like a marshmallow man. Fortunately I stay very active and keep relatively steady weight, but if I cut out the starches I suddenly drop like 10 pounds without thinking about it. Too bad they're so damn good.
Short con: No reason to live per Randy Newman.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on April 04, 2014, 11:44:25 AMQuote from: kurumi on April 04, 2014, 11:25:11 AMI'm 6' 4", no good at hoops, can't put on a lot of muscle mass (but can put on a lot of flab if I don't watch what I eat -- there are some pics from my past that I'd like to delete all copies of). Happily married a long time, but it seems nonetheless that looks matter more than ever. People do treat you differently. That's why I'm at the gym and avoiding those scary carbs :-/
There was a point in my aging, and I don't know when it was, when those carbs started making me swell up like a marshmallow man. Fortunately I stay very active and keep relatively steady weight, but if I cut out the starches I suddenly drop like 10 pounds without thinking about it. Too bad they're so damn good.
If you trade out butter for olive oil (cutting out saturated fats improves HDL cholesterol), and cut out the salt (DASH standard of 60% sodium RDA maximum reduces blood pressure and thus risk of stroke), then all of a sudden the lean foods start looking quite attractive in comparison to the starches.
Quote from: Zeffy on April 04, 2014, 11:36:05 AMOh, and no matter what I try, building any sort of muscle mass is impossible, so I'm pretty weak too (not that I honestly care).
Muscle mass isn't everything--strength has as much to do with nerves and blood flow as it does with muscle fiber. This is how I am able to go to the gym and slowly increase core tonnage while my weight stays essentially flat (145 lb when I graduated from high school; 154 lb maximum over the past 20 years; currently about 151 lb).
I never even considered playing a sport when I was in high school--I was all about taking AP courses and trying to ace the exams (one exam in tenth grade; two in eleventh; about six in twelfth; about one-third of the credit hours contributing to my undergraduate degrees were test-outs). But then I reached graduate school and realized I wanted to improve upper-body strength, since my legs were quite overdeveloped in comparison to my arms and shoulders after several years of cycle commuting, and I wanted to be able to schlep a rucksack through airports and railway stations without feeling overtaxed. So, with the help of an experienced gym buddy, I picked up some basic moves and made modest strength gains. That exercise program tapered off when I lost my gym buddy (life changes on his end), but I started up again several years ago when I stopped cycling and realized I needed to do something in order to maintain strength.
Quote from: bugo on April 02, 2014, 12:58:01 AM
Cons:
*You easily hit your head on ceiling fans and light sockets and door jambs and other such things.
I know of a sign on NY 112 that I often used to hit my head on when I walked under it.
Quote from: bugo on April 02, 2014, 12:58:01 AM
*It's hard to get into and out of some cars, and there are many cars a tall guy simply can't ride in certain cars, especially the back seat.
I'm only 5'11 1/2" myself and I've had that problem with the front seats of a lot of cars. I knew somebody with a Nissan Versa and I tried the driver's seat. I couldn't fit in the damn thing, and yes, I put the seat back and adjusted the mirrors and steering wheel. I don't see how anybody over 5'6" could possibly drive that car, and yet some people are able to. One car reporter for the Tampa Bay Times is 6'1" and he says he doesn't have any problems with it. :confused:
And it's not just car seats. Try fitting in the coach section of an Amtrak train going up and down the Atlantic Coast, and having to sleep in the thing! Seriously, long distance travel on Amtrak makes more sense with a sleeper car, but if you can't afford it, prepare for an uncomfortable night.
Having said all that, I still wish I were taller.
Quote from: D-Dey65 on April 04, 2014, 01:46:28 PM
Quote from: bugo on April 02, 2014, 12:58:01 AM
*It's hard to get into and out of some cars, and there are many cars a tall guy simply can't ride in certain cars, especially the back seat.
I'm only 5'11 1/2" myself and I've had that problem with the front seats of a lot of cars. I knew somebody with a Nissan Versa and I tried the driver's seat. I couldn't fit in the damn thing, and yes, I put the seat back and adjusted the mirrors and steering wheel. I don't see how anybody over 5'6" could possibly drive that car, and yet some people are able to. One car reporter for the Tampa Bay Times is 6'1" and he says he doesn't have any problems with it. :confused:
Keep being confused. I'm 6'0" and long waisted, and I have no problems driving a Versa. I have a friend with one, and I've driven her car many times. I don't even push the seat all the way back. Shoot, I have the seat closer to the wheel than she does, and she's 5'11".
Strangely enough, in every car I've ever driven except for one, I have had to push the seat all the way back. The one car I didn't have to? A Geo Metro which was more comfortable with the seat one notch forward. I wouldn't believe it either.
Quote from: J N Winkler on April 04, 2014, 01:28:25 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on April 04, 2014, 11:44:25 AMQuote from: kurumi on April 04, 2014, 11:25:11 AMI'm 6' 4", no good at hoops, can't put on a lot of muscle mass (but can put on a lot of flab if I don't watch what I eat -- there are some pics from my past that I'd like to delete all copies of). Happily married a long time, but it seems nonetheless that looks matter more than ever. People do treat you differently. That's why I'm at the gym and avoiding those scary carbs :-/
There was a point in my aging, and I don't know when it was, when those carbs started making me swell up like a marshmallow man. Fortunately I stay very active and keep relatively steady weight, but if I cut out the starches I suddenly drop like 10 pounds without thinking about it. Too bad they're so damn good.
If you trade out butter for olive oil (cutting out saturated fats improves HDL cholesterol), and cut out the salt (DASH standard of 60% sodium RDA maximum reduces blood pressure and thus risk of stroke), then all of a sudden the lean foods start looking quite attractive in comparison to the starches.
Quote from: Zeffy on April 04, 2014, 11:36:05 AMOh, and no matter what I try, building any sort of muscle mass is impossible, so I'm pretty weak too (not that I honestly care).
Muscle mass isn't everything--strength has as much to do with nerves and blood flow as it does with muscle fiber. This is how I am able to go to the gym and slowly increase core tonnage while my weight stays essentially flat (145 lb when I graduated from high school; 154 lb maximum over the past 20 years; currently about 151 lb).
I never even considered playing a sport when I was in high school--I was all about taking AP courses and trying to ace the exams (one exam in tenth grade; two in eleventh; about six in twelfth; about one-third of the credit hours contributing to my undergraduate degrees were test-outs). But then I reached graduate school and realized I wanted to improve upper-body strength, since my legs were quite overdeveloped in comparison to my arms and shoulders after several years of cycle commuting, and I wanted to be able to schlep a rucksack through airports and railway stations without feeling overtaxed. So, with the help of an experienced gym buddy, I picked up some basic moves and made modest strength gains. That exercise program tapered off when I lost my gym buddy (life changes on his end), but I started up again several years ago when I stopped cycling and realized I needed to do something in order to maintain strength.
Yeah, cycle commuting made me legs look ripped compared to my arms. I need to start doing some basic workouts.
I'm somewhere between 5'11" and 6'0". Which I'm closer to depends on the time of day and other randomness. I usually just say I'm six feet tall since it's a nice round number and it sounds cooler than saying 5'11".
What's interesting is that I am taller than both of my parents... and taller by an inch or two than most of the other men in my family. So they all act like I'm the big guy even though I'm only at about the 70th percentile for men my age.
I'm 6'4", my wife is 5'2". She helps pick up things off the floor and bottom shelves for me and I get things off upper shelves and the top of the refrigerator for her. :-D
Seriously, I'm satisfied with my height, although, when I was younger, I wished I was three inches taller. I was fairly good at basketball, but I played like a forward and not a guard. There aren't many 6'4" forwards in the NBA. And yes, I could dunk the basketball (even when I was 6'1"). My wife wishes she was a few inches taller (like 5'7"), however, it was not meant to be.
I seem to have less problems at finding clothes that fit than my wife does. She needs petite pant sizes because of her short legs.
We have a king-size bed, not only for me, but also so we have "sleeping space".
Pros and cons? We just accept whatever comes our way.
Both of my parents are 5'9". My uncle is the only person in my family taller than me, and he's shrunk to where I'm now taller than him.
according to the center for disease control (US Government) i am taller than average, by almost a whole inch. Being 70 inches tall has advantages over being taller. Easier to buy off the rack at Walmart, I do not have to worry about fitting into most compact cars or bumping my knees on a bus,subway, or regional rail. If needed i can sleep in a vehicle without cramping up, i have done it across the back seat of a ford focus (could not get comfy on the front seat).
One advantage of being tall is that when you are going bald, it is harder for most people to notice since your hairline is above their heads.
Measured average height, weight, and waist circumference for adults ages 20 years and over
Men:
Height (inches): 69.3
Weight (pounds): 195.5
Waist circumference (inches): 39.7
Women:
Height (inches): 63.8
Weight (pounds): 166.2
Waist circumference (inches): 37.5
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/bodymeas.htm