# Things that tall people know **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 19, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129 "2012-09-19T01:07:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4bbf92/32.png) [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/61 "2012-09-20T18:01:38Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Oh… Ladies, are there sites out there for tall women’s clothes? Her height is disproportionately in her legs (if her torso matched, she’d be about 7’ tall). She has two (2) pairs of pants and is getting desperate. The [Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic](http://www.gap.com/) websites all have a “Women’s Tall” section where the inseams are generally 36" (some of the jeans are longer). [JCrew](http://www.jcrew.com/index.jsp) also has tall sizes on many of their pants that are 36" - no special section; you just have to look for those labeled “also in: Tall”. [Lands’ End](http://www.landsend.com/) has custom inseam lengths on almost all of their pants, but they only go up to 34". You can also get them with unfinished hems, and possibly eke out a 36" hem - customer service would probably know. Happy shopping! ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/62 "2012-09-20T19:38:09Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > And furthermore: Just because it’s not a low-hanging light fixture for _you_ doesn’t mean it’s not a low-hanging light fixture for someone else! Retort from the short: just because YOU can reach it doesn’t mean that I can. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/63 "2012-09-20T23:30:41Z")
Changing lightbulbs in the ceiling without ladders…check. Washing the roof of cars/suvs without ladders…check. Cleaning whole windows without ladders…check. Reaching for that last box of your favorite yummies pushed all the way back on the top shelf in the grocery store…check. Seeing the flow of people and picking the path of least resistance in a crowd…check. ---
**Author:** ![1GothMama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/90ced4/32.png) [@1GothMama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1GothMama)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/64 "2012-09-21T00:01:11Z")
Little old ladies are very grateful when you get cans and jars off the top shelf of the grocery store for them. Short roommates are not grateful when you store useful kitchen gadgets on the top shelf. Short people have NO idea how low their ceiling lights and fans hang. Capri pants are a thing of the devil. Three quarter sleeve tops are a godsend. And I don’t know if this is a tall person thing or a klutzy person thing but this week I’m learning knee joints are not forever. ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/65 "2012-09-21T00:01:35Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > That low sinks are a pain in the lower back. I’m only marginally tall at 5’9.5", but it seems like all public washroom sinks are built for women who are three feet tall. I get to bend over or stoop to wash my hands, and bend over even further if they only way to dry my hands is via a hot air dryer. :rolleyes: Even the sinks in my house are a little too low, but if I weren’t renting, I’d fix that quickly. > [@Corcaigh](#): > > Tall women know that some short men have strange fetishes about being picked up and carried around, or being wrestled and pinned to the ground, by a “big strong woman” Haha. I get the “Yes, mistress, please boss me around and spank me” reaction from the occasional man. They’re usually a little shorter than me, but no shorter than “hey, it’s really easy to look at your boobs from here” level. > [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Retort from the short: just because YOU can reach it doesn’t mean that I can. I’m within 2 inches of my husband, and the perspective difference seems staggering at times. He’ll hang up stuff that looks good at his eye level, but which looks short to me. I’ll be able to _just_ reach something, and it’ll be _just_ out of his reach. He’s got shorter legs than I do by probably five inches or so, and it’s evident whenever we drive the other person’s car or [when I was “thin”] try on the same pair of loose pajama pants and find a big difference in inseam needs. It’s amazing how a very small amount of height difference makes for us. Finding long sleeved shirts that were long enough in the arms and torso used to be torture, and then the tunic length and extra-long sleeves started to become popular again. I can’t wear anything cropped or low rise. Ever. Low rise = my buttcrack threatens to erupt from my pants at any moment if it hasn’t already. Cropped = [“fat guy in a little coat”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohz8_IafGwE) syndrome. ETA: One last thing-- if it’s a dress that’s meant to be just above knee length on a normal lady, it looks like SLUTS ON PARADE or “I’m really a six year old from the Victorian Era” when I put it on. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/66 "2012-09-21T01:14:00Z")
Tall people have done a census of your dandruff. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/67 "2012-09-21T02:00:12Z")
That I need to make sure I have clean hands before stretching, lest I leave fingerprints on the ceiling. That I _like_ 8’ ceilings & not 9’ ceilings in homes because with the former I don’t need anything but the new bulb to change the light. That the time I save not getting out the stepladder is more than used up in the grocery store retrieving items for little old ladies. That the Big & Tall stores should be Big &/or Tall. I’m tall but not but not big (wide). That I’ve disappointed a couple of car salesmen when I ended the test drive before starting the ignition since the seat either doesn’t go back far enough or it would be impossible to have someone sit behind me if it does. (Yes, I am contentious of rear seat legroom issues.) That I avoid end-of-the-cube-farm-aisle collisions because I see your head coming. That I can see if \_\_\_ is sitting at their desk in the next row just by standing up; no need to walk all the way around to their row. That I need to take my helmet off before putting my bike away or else it gets put to use protecting my head from the pipes I barely fit under when it’s not on my head. :smack: \<-- literally ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2012, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/68 "2012-09-21T12:40:29Z")
> [@1GothMama](#): > > Little old ladies are very grateful when you get cans and jars off the top shelf of the grocery store for them. Short shoppers of any age/gender are grateful to helpful tall people who can get things down for them :). Hey, you get the high shelves, I’ll get stuff off the lower shelves for you. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/69 "2012-09-25T15:49:53Z")
Elevators don’t smell the same to tall people as they do to shorter people. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/70 "2012-09-25T16:23:34Z")
Stovepipe hats are not flattering anymore. It ain’t so easy to get down on your knees in that narrow space between the coffee table and sofa to reach under the sofa for that missing remote - without having to move furniture around first. You learn to duck at an early age, but people enjoy watching tall, clutzy teenage boys bang into things. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/71 "2012-09-25T17:43:44Z")
That few stores stock shoes larger than size 13. REI will have 14’s if the style comes that big. If the shoes come in several color options, typically only the most neutral will be offered beyond size 13. Stair treads are sized to work with up to about size 11 feet. Beyond that, it is much safer to turn your big ass feet sideways as you descend. The only properly sized stairways are escalators, which you seldom get to enjoy in America, because Americans see nothing wrong with standing on the left side of an Escalator. You can store a lot of stuff on top of kitchen cabinets if they don’t put in the stupid filler panels above them. There isn’t any more leg room for the driver in a mid-size rental car than a compact. Stop using that as a reason to try to get me to up-grade. The driver’s seat in a Cooper Mini actually goes back farther than most luxury cars. If you put something at the back of the refrigerator shelf, it is invisible to me. When the sneeze shields on the salad bar are lower than my elbows, it is really difficult to get to the stuff in the back. When you put up signs that customers should ask for help with items on top shelf, They ask me instead of your too-few sales associates. It’s OK, as I meet a lot of friendly older ladies this way. 6’ is not nearly high enough to hang a lamp over a table. Those roll-along carry-on bags work like ass for tall people. Not part of the OP, but one things this tall people typically \_doesn’t \_ know: If someone is 6" shorter or taller than average. I’d see it if you pointed it out to me, but mostly that range just falls into “average height”. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/72 "2012-09-25T18:42:43Z")
I’m male; 5’10" tall: I know that tall women sometimes know tall women hate heightism, but are heightists themselves. 😉 That’s from my ex (a good friend now), who is 6’ 3" tall. That’s what she knows. . ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2012, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/73 "2012-09-25T23:07:00Z")
We have a definite love-hate relationship with rollercoasters…and any other amusement ride for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/74 "2012-09-27T00:13:40Z")
Tall people know to check for ceiling fans before standing up and stretching. _whackwhackwhack_ OW! Tall people know that subcompacts are usually more comfy than mid size cars - at least in the front. I, like other tall people, am weirded out by people who are taller than I (6’1"). Little old ladies (as noted prior) love me for getting stuff from high shelves in the grocery for them. Short men seem to be more aggressive. A gay coworker told me that tall, skinny men are in great demand in the gay community. I tend to try to hold on to shirts with long enough sleeves, as it’s so hard to find more. That, and being used to cold wrists. Yes, I know I’m tall. Re: little kids and telling them to drink milk. I do that too; I love milk, my sister hates it. I’m over 6’, she’s just over 5’. Many stores hang their advertising banners too low - especially EB Games. I don’t mind crowds so much - I’d hate not being able to see my way out. On balance, I think I prefer height over shortness - but sometimes, it’d be nice to be able to blend in with the crowd more. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/75 "2012-09-27T00:38:38Z")
Tall people know that those new grab bars on the ceiling of metro cars are about a quarter of an inch shorter than 6’2"… :smack: ---
**Author:** ![rivulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rivulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rivulus)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/76 "2012-09-27T01:21:06Z")
> [@CoratDamar](#): > > I know what the minimum allowable height is on bathroom stall dividing walls. I do not want to see or be seen over them, dammit; that’s why they exist. Or dressing room stalls in some department stores. Sheesh, I don’t think everyone needs to see my undressed chest – nor do I need to see you all changing either. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/77 "2012-09-27T02:20:52Z")
> [@](#): > > Tall people know that, when shopping for pants in a discount or thrift store (where there will be lots of unsorted sizes on a rack together), you can just lean over and look for the ones that are dragging in the dust of the floor and select them to try on, because they are the only ones that might possibly be long enough. So true, and my favorite quick way to shop for pants at Goodwill! ---
**Author:** ![geneb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a88e4f/32.png) [@geneb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/geneb)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/78 "2012-09-27T16:57:20Z")
Tall people know how truly annoying those people who leave drawers and floor cabinets open are. At a certain point, they no longer occupy the peripheral vision. Jamming the corner of a drawer into your nuts is not the best way to start the day. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/79 "2012-09-27T18:36:19Z")
> [@geneb](#): > > Tall people know how truly annoying those people who leave drawers and floor cabinets open are. At a certain point, they no longer occupy the peripheral vision. Jamming the corner of a drawer into your nuts is not the best way to start the day. This reminds me: Tall people know that leaving the dishwasher open should be a capital offense. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129/80 "2012-09-27T18:39:40Z")
> [@geneb](#): > > Jamming the corner of a drawer into your nuts is not the best way to start the day. Please don’t presume to speak for all tall people :eek: We know that people assume we can run fast, because we have SUcH LONG leGS! It always annoys me to hear this from someone whom I out-weigh by 75-100 lbs. I’d sure as hell rather be carrying their mass than mine! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-tall-people-know/635129.md?page=5)