# Short Men **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 26, 2001, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806 "2001-01-26T01:43:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BornDodgy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@BornDodgy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BornDodgy)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2001, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806/41 "2001-01-28T11:18:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wendell Wagner \* > \*\*the average height for adult American men these days in 5’9.1" \*\* hehe… I am the average American men… only the third leg is missing. dodgy ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2001, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806/42 "2001-01-28T22:05:45Z")
David Patrick Kelly is 5’3"! ---
**Author:** ![New\_Improved\_Scott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f17d59/32.png) [@New\_Improved\_Scott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Improved_Scott)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2001, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806/43 "2001-01-29T17:06:34Z")
At 6’3", I’m kinda left out here, but I can tell you, short guys live the easy life. They don’t constantly get asked to help friends, friends of friends, or aquaintances to help move on moving day, aren’t always hearing “can you get that up there for me?”, and have never been knocked out buy low hanging department store signs. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2001, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806/44 "2001-01-29T19:44:39Z")
Dark Lord Davidson and New & Improved Scott: You guys get no sympathy at all from me. When I was single and using ads and dating services (“Rent-a-Dates”, Mrs. Cal calls ‘em) I lost count of the women who only wanted to date guys 6’ and over. I’m 5’7" myself. So I’ve decided that height is to women what Big Boobs are to guys. You can say those women are just shallow, but I ran into a LOT of them. And I didn’t get dates on account of that. ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2001, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806/45 "2001-01-29T20:09:14Z")
This thread already seems to be heading to dead-horsedom, but I wanted to check in with my height, 5’7". I’ve had girlfriends 5’9" and 6’0"; I might even say I _prefer_ women who are taller than I am, but really what’s between the ears is what’s most important. I’ve also dated women my height, slightly shorter, or as short as 5’0". Incidentally, every time I’ve measured myself (as an adult) I come up with 5’6" or 5’6.5". But every time the U.S. Navy measured me they said I was 5’7". I don’t care either way, but I figure I shouldn’t argue with the DoD. Apropos of nothing, I just today realized that **TVeblen** and **BornDodgy** were female. I have no idea why I assumed otherwise, but it’s good to know the truth. ---
**Author:** ![Clucky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@Clucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clucky)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2001, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806/46 "2001-01-29T20:28:02Z")
I find it interesting that tall guys keep posting here for attention. I think they’re so used to being noticed in the real world, so they’re a little jealous some women here admire short men. It’s interesting how some people point to their height for self-worth, as if they’ve accomplished anything more than inheriting certain genes. At 5-foot-6, I am the shortest of the group of friends I hang around. And, I’ve always felt that my height hindered my chances of dating women. Many women don’t like to date shorter guys, let’s face it, or this thread wouldn’t be necessary. So, yes, it’s easy to get an inferiority complex, as a short man. Confidence comes in not caring about this disadvantage, but I always had a hard time gaining that attitude. My wife could care less about height (she’s about the same height). I really think she’s in the minority, though. In all honesty, I’d like to thank **Jekeira** for this thread. Maybe the single, short guys will gain some more confidence from what they see here. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2001, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806/47 "2001-01-29T22:55:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Clucky \* > **I find it interesting that tall guys keep posting here for attention. I think they’re so used to being noticed in the real world, so they’re a little jealous some women here admire short men. It’s interesting how some people point to their height for self-worth, as if they’ve accomplished anything more than inheriting certain genes.** I don’t mean to be critical here, but I seriously doubt those tall guys came on just to divert the spotlight. They’re people participating in a conversation, that’s all. I could say more, but since I don’t feel like picking a fight, I won’t. I just think you were being overly attacking. ---
**Author:** ![Clucky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@Clucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clucky)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806/48 "2001-01-30T03:11:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LaurAnge \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Clucky \* > > **I find it interesting that tall guys keep posting here for attention. I think they’re so used to being noticed in the real world, so they’re a little jealous some women here admire short men. It’s interesting how some people point to their height for self-worth, as if they’ve accomplished anything more than inheriting certain genes.** > > I don’t mean to be critical here, but I seriously doubt those tall guys came on just to divert the spotlight. They’re people participating in a conversation, that’s all. > > I could say more, but since I don’t feel like picking a fight, I won’t. I just think you were being overly attacking. \*\* Guilty. I was overly attacking. But, tell me the following quotes were well-meaning or belittling (pun intended). > [@](#): > > Oh, yeah - gotta love that short guy attitude. Hitler…Napoleon > > Iguana Boy 6’3 > [@](#): > > I like short men, too. > > The way they just disappear behind their desks makes me feel all alone when I’m at work. And considering the number of women who prefer men taller than them, every short guy increases my odds with the ladies (when I’m single, anyway). > > Oh, and I don’t have to bend over and get the coffee filters from under the sink at work, I can ask one of them. It is only fair since I have to put new bottle on the water cooler. > > Yay short guys! I know I’m sensitive; these are well-meaning jokes, I’m sure. But these types of comments can grate a little. Those people who are overweight likely wouldn’t appreciate jokes about their girth. You might feel like you’re being made out to be less than a real person, so to speak. But, please except my apology for being overly attacking. I generally like tall people. I’ve got a lot of tall friends. They’re great. They don’t try to make short people feel inferior. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806/49 "2001-01-30T05:27:26Z")
S’all good. I can understand being overly defensive, you have a right. ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806/50 "2001-01-30T14:33:32Z")
As a **6’9"** who is **really tall** , I have no need to use my **impressive height** to attract attention. My **gargantuan stature** just happens to be noticed by people when they look my way and see **81 inches of manly towering presence staring them in the face.** But seriously, I doubt any tall poster cares that there are people that aren’t attracted to height, etc. Height just tends to be noticed right away, kind of like if we all had oozing sores on our face. It just sort of stands out at first glance. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806/51 "2001-01-30T15:04:45Z")
I like to tell folks “I had better places to grow than up”. No offense, Mully. ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806/52 "2001-01-30T15:32:30Z")
BTW, **Mullinator** , did you try that cream I recommended to you for the oozing sores on your face? ---
**Author:** ![zub](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a6a055/32.png) [@zub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zub)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806/53 "2001-01-30T15:50:00Z")
man i thought i was a gonner im 5’5" or maybe a wee bit more wanna see my pic , email me ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2001, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806/54 "2001-01-30T16:04:56Z")
Quoth Mullinator: Height just tends to be noticed right away, kind of like if we all had oozing sores on our face. It just sort of stands out at first glance. With all due respect (and no sour grapes), you’re selling yourself short. Height doesn’t “just get noticed right away”, but is a continuing and ongoing issue. People react differently to a tall man than to a short one, in all sorts of ways. That’s why Heinlein wrote, in “The Notebooks of Lazarus Long” : “Don’t make fun of a short man. He’ll kill you.” Or why Napoleon felt compelled to conquer Europe. You might say it’s classic overcompensation, but you would – you’re tall. Napoleon would say it’s only compensation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-men/51806.md?page=2)