Why is it okay to call a male 'skinny', but not a female 'fat?'?

Question

Is it just not as deragatory? Is it just less P.C. to call a female 'fat' than a thin male 'skinny.' I have an extremely high metabolism and am 'thin' and there is little I can do about my weight. I just don't understand why people find it 'okay' to comment about my lack of weight, but they don't dare bring up how someone has an abundance of weight. This is very frustrating to me because it has the same effects on someone's psyche in either situation.

Answer 1

I personally do not find it acceptable to refer to another persons weight at all. The furthest I have gone is when a very fit friend will say something about skipping the ice cream or such; then I will say something like, "with your shape you don't need to worry." But I never would call someone skinny or fat. As a matter of fact, I know people who would NEVER refer to anyone as fat because it would be rude but do not hesitate to refer to someone as skinny. My only guess is that most people consider skinny a compliment whereas "fat" is obviously not a compliment.

Answer 2

I don't know. It's very weird. Females get more urinary tract infections than males anyway. Females produce smegma and have more creases and folds to clean than males (plus blood to clean every once in a while, just for an extra challenge). Some people think long labia are unattractive, especially in countries where they chop them off, and I even read somewhere that "circumcised" females have lesser chances to pick up some STIs. Hopefully people will realise the pointless nature of MGM and the practice will die.

Answer 3

I think both are rude. It's rude and silly to comment on people's weight in general when it's none of your business. Do people seriously think that fat people don't know they're fat and that skinny people don't know they're skinny? Do they really need to point that out all the time? And do people really think they're the first ones to bring it up?

I can understand that when someone is genuienly concerned about somebody's health they might bring weight up, but why say it all the time to people? It's just derogatory and tends to effect the person's self-esteem when everyone cares more about their weight than anything else about them. This usually just makes the weight issue worse.

Answer 4

Well of course we know it is COMPLETELY unacceptable to call a female fat. I understand your question. I personally know people who have lots of trouble gaining weight. Believe me, i wish i had that problem. Anyway, it can be damaging to someone's self esteem if they are called skinny, just as damaging as calling someone fat. I do not think either is acceptable. Why would you say "you are skinny" or "you are fat" there is not a reason to refer to someones weight when talking to them.

Answer 5

It really isn't fair for anyone to comment on anyone's weight unless they are a worried friend. My fiance is just as hurt when people call him skinny as I am when someone calls me fluffy. Actually there has been a connection made between anorexia and people who get comments either way on thier weight and anorexia is not just for females.

Answer 6

My husband has a slender build to, and he also hates when people call him skinny or boney!! I to have always thought it was funny how we are taught it is not ok to call people fat but you are skinny is ok?? I thinkthe problem is people just don't watch what they say and sometimes they mean it in a good way!!

You could always reply with something like "Yes I always have a hot bod that I don't have to work out for enjoy the gym" LOL LOL

Answer 7

Your question is a bit confusing.So do you think it is OK to call a female skinny?
Anyway I was called skinny a lot of times,and you know what was my reaction?I just told them I felt great the way I was , that I liked it.In my opinion people think it is OK to call someone skinny,but not fat,because everybody would be rather skinny than fat.

Answer 8

Cause to fix the skinny, they just eat more, to fix the fat, the go anorexic or bulimic which is bad. People are lazy and dont wanna change the healthy way. Then again, I'm really skinny so that kind of applies to me.

Answer 9

It is more offensive. In today's society, a lack of weight is considered more socially acceptable than an excess of weight. The perfect person is just perceived as thin, unfortunately fir some of us.

Answer 10

I think being 'skiny' has always held more of a positive stigma, So it never seams like its a bad thing to call someone that.

Most people never take into consideration that there are people who can't seam to gein weight. I have a few friends who struggle with that....its hard!

I would just let people know!