# How important is height for girls? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 17, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324 "2012-11-17T17:24:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hans35](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/779978/32.png) [@Hans35](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hans35)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/1 "2012-11-17T17:24:54Z")
Am I totally doomed being 5"7 (170 cm) at 18? Just read about a girl who was going to break up with her BF, cus she didn’t feel “safe”. (Dno their heights). I’m taller than most women but short amongst males, I work out and am strong, nowhere near bulky though. But how much does it really mean to girls? And is 5"7 just bad e? Btw, I live in Denmark, where people are all 180 cm minimum… depressing, sort of. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/2 "2012-11-17T17:39:00Z")
Yes you are doomed. Short people got no reason to live. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/3 "2012-11-17T17:42:18Z")
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**Author:** ![Hans35](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/779978/32.png) [@Hans35](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hans35)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/4 "2012-11-17T17:47:02Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Yes you are doomed. Short people got no reason to live. I don’t know how much it weighs. Does it matter that much? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/5 "2012-11-17T17:52:15Z")
5’7 is an awesome height. I should know, I’ve been 5’7" my entire adult life. ---
**Author:** ![Hans35](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/779978/32.png) [@Hans35](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hans35)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/6 "2012-11-17T18:13:32Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > 5’7 is an awesome height. I should know, I’ve been 5’7" my entire adult life. oh yeah? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/7 "2012-11-17T18:15:10Z")
My mother was 5’7". It appeared to be a great height for her. While you live in a land of tall people, keep in mind that the average woman’s height is only 5’4" or so. I am a 5’11" female and there are a lot of advantanges and disadvantages to my size. Finding woman’s clothes that are long enough for my frame can be painful. But it’s great to be able to reach the top shelf at the grocery store. When I fall, it’s a long way to the ground with a painful result. A 4’10" friend of mine says I should quit whining but admits that falling down doesn’t cause her bruises. Chairs made for smaller people have me tucking my knees under my chin. Chairs made for people my height make my friend look like a child because her feet come nowhere near the floor and she can’t still all the way back with out having her legs stick straight out. I’d pick 5’7". It’s a wonderful height. Tall enough to reach things, short enough to wear fashion from other countries with shorter people… say, France? Italy? Yes! ---
**Author:** ![Hans35](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/779978/32.png) [@Hans35](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hans35)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/8 "2012-11-17T18:24:10Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > My mother was 5’7". It appeared to be a great height for her. While you live in a land of tall people, keep in mind that the average woman’s height is only 5’4" or so. > > I am a 5’11" female and there are a lot of advantanges and disadvantages to my size. Finding woman’s clothes that are long enough for my frame can be painful. But it’s great to be able to reach the top shelf at the grocery store. When I fall, it’s a long way to the ground with a painful result. A 4’10" friend of mine says I should quit whining but admits that falling down doesn’t cause her bruises. Chairs made for smaller people have me tucking my knees under my chin. Chairs made for people my height make my friend look like a child because her feet come nowhere near the floor and she can’t still all the way back with out having her legs stick straight out. > > I’d pick 5’7". It’s a wonderful height. Tall enough to reach things, short enough to wear fashion from other countries with shorter people… say, France? Italy? Yes! Thx for reply 🙂 but yeah, I cant reach things or wear clothes fittingly either lol. But since you’re a women, what do you say about small guys? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/9 "2012-11-17T18:36:58Z")
No, you’re not doomed. Most women just want their man to be taller than them. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/10 "2012-11-17T18:40:22Z")
Myself, I like a guy I can look in the eye, and I tend to date on the short side. A lot of my girlfriends are picky about height, and many specifically do date according to height, and will not consider shorter guys. That said, some of the most successful-with-women guys I know are on the short side, and have developed personalities to make up for it. Everyone has their preferences. It’s not like women aren’t subject to any number of male opinions on their weight, breast size, etc. What do guys think about overweight girls? In general, being taller is probably better than being shorter, but there are always exceptions. Some women prioritize other things, or are open to falling in love outside of their type, or have a “thing” for short dudes and actively seek them out. Life is tough. Nobody is going to be completely attractive to everyone. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/11 "2012-11-17T19:08:33Z")
My grandmother was six foot even. My grandfather was about your height. They got along. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/12 "2012-11-17T19:17:20Z")
Women over 5" 8" seem to have more adds in the personnals than what their numbers would indicate. I suspect beacause taller guys are in demand and get snapped up quicker. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/13 "2012-11-17T19:17:25Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > \ > > I’d pick 5’7". It’s a wonderful height. Tall enough to reach things, short enough to wear fashion from other countries with shorter people… say, France? Italy? Yes! I’m 5’6", and yes, it is damned near the perfect height. Tall enough to reach everything, but not too tall for stuff. My husband is 5’8", and we never have to consider things like cars or furniture that fits both of us (that’s just assumed). We don’t even have to adjust things when we drive each other’s cars. 🙂 To answer the OP, like **even sven** said, everyone has preferences. Some women won’t date you because you’re 5’7", and others won’t care. Be an interesting person that people want to be around, and my guess is that you won’t be lonely. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/14 "2012-11-17T19:21:11Z")
Both of my brothers are 5"8" and both of their wives are 5’ 6" yet they seem to tower over my brothers. I kind of think they have their numbers reversed. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/15 "2012-11-17T19:45:24Z")
5’7 is perfectly fine with me. I’ve dated men from about 5’5-6’3. All else being equal, I do prefer they’re at least 5’7 (but I loved my 5’5 guy), but beyond that I really don’t care. ---
**Author:** ![Sampsiceramos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Sampsiceramos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampsiceramos)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/16 "2012-11-17T19:51:51Z")
> [@Hans35](#): > > Am I totally doomed being 5"7 (170 cm) at 18? Just read about a girl who was going to break up with her BF, cus she didn’t feel “safe”. (Dno their heights). I’m taller than most women but short amongst males, I work out and am strong, nowhere near bulky though. But how much does it really mean to girls? And is 5"7 just bad e? > > Btw, I live in Denmark, where people are all 180 cm minimum… depressing, sort of. Fellow dane here. First of all, height will obviously be a deal-breaker for some, but certainly not all women. In my opinion, the ones for whom it is a deal breaker aren’t worth dating anyway, so take to considering it a service instead of an insult, and you’ll be far happier for it. Also, anecdotally, get used to being the really short guy. Anecdotally, males in our age group are far closer to an average height of 185 than 180 (that’d be more like 6’1 than 6’0, to you Imperial-using heretics 😛 ), which means that the majority of the guys you’re competing with are 188-190ish like me. Luckily, the same does not apply to women here; plenty of them are far shorter than you. Buck up - it’s not the end of the world, and so long as you aren’t an utterly insufferable personality, there are plenty of women out there who will date you. ---
**Author:** ![AngelSoft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelsoft/32/440_2.png) [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/17 "2012-11-17T20:01:10Z")
5"2 woman here and I have to say height is important to me, though it’s something I’ve just recently come to realize. I used to think that not being attracted to a guy who was short was shallow and tried my best to overcome it. I even ignored it to the point that I married a guy who was 5"0. I hated it. I didn’t feel like the ‘woman’ in the relationship because I was the taller one. It’s a stupid thing, I realize but trying to ignore it didn’t work out well for me. So, while I don’t require someone to be six foot or anything, I do want any future SO to be taller than me. ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/18 "2012-11-17T20:04:46Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Yes you are doomed. Short people got no reason to live. Meanie 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/19 "2012-11-17T20:10:15Z")
I’m barely 5’ 3" and although I guess I do wish I was somewhat taller, I really don’t dwell about it at all. I am what I am. I’m in good shape. My 12 year old daughter is taller than me now and loves to remind of it. I think that you are a great height. Being strong and fit is a lot more important than height whether you are short or tall. And remember that there is someone out there for everyone, regardless, no? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2012, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324/20 "2012-11-17T20:11:43Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > Both of my brothers are 5"8" and both of their wives are 5’ 6" yet they seem to tower over my brothers. I kind of think they have their numbers reversed. It’s the shoes. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-height-for-girls/641324.md?page=2)