2007-02-17 08:08:23 · 12 answers · asked by Rusty (Basketball genius) 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
To make mention of anyone's body size (fat or thin or other) is inappropriate (etiquette-wise). Same would go for mentioning things like acne or a 'bad' haircut or badly cut suit/dress. Anything that could make the person feel uncomfortable is best left unsaid in 'polite' company (and in the workplace/adult settings). Young people who learn this early and practice that sort of tact all their life will have an easier time fitting in socially. Even if you're saying something to a best friend - like 'you're gaining weight' is inappropriate as it might hurt the person's feelings. There's an old saying "if you cannot say something nice then say nothing at all."
2007-02-17 11:34:58 · answer #1 · answered by Santal 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because now society is into skinny. So they say that fat is a bad thing when it's not. It's like calling someone dumb instead of telling them that there smart.
2007-02-17 10:32:01 · answer #2 · answered by Questions 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really has to do with our society's values. Thin models are prevalent, and it is considered socially desirable to be skinny, to fulfill the shallow expectations that the fashion industry sets. Yet at the same time, being overweight is considered a harbinger of unattractiveness, of poor health, etc. Personally, I would refrain from making comments on a person's exterior appearance, which a lot of times they cannot help (either due to genetics, etc.), and instead commenting on their personality, qualities that make me like them, etc.
2007-02-17 10:27:54 · answer #3 · answered by piecrumz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good question... prolly cuz society strives to be skinny and ppl who are skinny DO get insulted but society makes it ok
fat people are very sensitve because they KNOW theyre fat, and being fat is something most are troubled with
2007-02-17 08:16:10 · answer #4 · answered by wonderer of life 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is ok to call someone skinny either. Rudeness is never acceptable.
2007-02-17 08:21:24 · answer #5 · answered by Chris S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't agree with those above that fat is ugly....not for a nice warm chubby grandma or Santa Claus.
2007-02-17 08:38:39 · answer #6 · answered by Raven 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because skinny is desirable and fat is not.
2007-02-17 08:27:46 · answer #7 · answered by Kevin A 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because "skinny" isn't a pejorative. It doesn't have the negative connotation that "fat" has.
2007-02-17 09:10:28 · answer #8 · answered by Sinthe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because skinny is hot and fat is gross.
2007-02-17 10:03:05 · answer #9 · answered by ZenPenguin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
same reason that it is ok to call someone a genius but it is not ok to call somebody a moron.
2007-02-17 08:13:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋