What is the politically correct term for overweight people?

Question

I work at an EXTREMELY fashionable clothing store which of course does not sell clothes for overweight people. Today some ladies of CONSIDERABLE GIRTH came in and were rather DISTURBED that we did not have anything remotely close it their sizes. I explained to them that we simply do not carry sizes for METABOLICALLY CHALLENGED individuals. Now let me tell you what, these gals were EXTREMELY upset that I referred to them as METABOLICALLY CHALLENGED. I thought that was the correct term these days, I mean I didn't call them FAT or CHUNKY or anything. My boss told me I could have said a lot worse and told me not to worry about it. What is the correct term for our overweight friends?

Please note, I am 16 years old and rather spoiled.

Thank you and good day.

There were some EXTREMELY good answers (such as Herbie and Trent) and some EXTREMELY bad, and I mean EXTREMELY bad answers (too many to mention, but anyone who personally attacked me basically).

Thank you and good day

I meant Brent not Trent.

Also, I must admit I did not come up with the phrase "metabolically challenged", it has been around for a few years.

Thank you and good day.

I'd like to thank the following people for telling it like it is:

ChickenHawk
Joel A
WorldChampion
DrunkFkr
Brent L
VioletCablas
KalamazooMark
Bitcasso
Insp.HarryCallahan
Treky1999
ILufTheMountains
BeenThere
Herbie
Kathy B
Gabby Johnson

Thank you and Good Day!

And our newest Answerer Tita, thank you and good day as well.

The following people were EXTREMELY rude in their answer and should be ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED with themselves:

Maria
KittyWhite92630
JustineH
MandyS
VanillaGirl
Tom T

Thank you and good day!

Answer 1

Call them fat. It's correct, and you don't need to know their BMI (Body Mass Index), like you would if you said "obese" or "morbidly obese". Somewhere along the line, "fat" became a bad word to describe people. Since I don't let society dictate how I use language, I use the term "fat." Language is typically used to cover up the truth, not express it. Do your part to express the truth. It only hurts others in proportion to its accuracy.
Your term would have upset me, too. How would you know they are "metabolically challenged" without seeing the proper lab test results? They were, of course, upset for a different reason. Maybe they have a pituitary gland disorder like Cushing's Syndrome, or are on a high dosage of a medicine that makes people fat through no fault of their own, like Prednisone. It isn't always overeating or laziness that makes someone look that way.
People are way too worried about feelings nowadays. That's what we get for having the Boomers in charge of most things. These women were fat, and had no business being in there. They are called "plus size" in the clothing biz, but no matter how anyone cuts, slices, dices, or parses it, the most accurate and well understood term for such folks is "fat."
Unless it means your job, in which case call them whatever your boss thinks is good. No use in losing a job over semantics. . . .

Answer 2

Americans.

Answer 3

i think metabolically challenged was really quite harsh!! sure your sixteen and apparently a little naive to this fact, so i would say try to ignore people who slate you for what you said. i think a better to way to have said it would have been to mention what size clothes your store actually sells and that you get what is sent in from the manufacturers. if they asked whether you'd be ordering any in at a later date, you could just say, you would put the request through to the manager. simple!

Answer 4

Heavy set or full figured or big beautiful woman I know you meant well but saying someone is metabolically challenged is insulting exspecially when they came in the store as customers a better way to handle this is to say I know stores that carry your size and direct them to that sotreor say we only carry size 4 to 14 something like that.

Answer 5

Lori, you don't have to say anything other than ,"I'm sorry we don't carry your size" Perhaps you could recommend a suitable store.If these people are as big as you say I'm sure they are reminded daily by not only their own mirror but the rude comments of others that they are "people of size".The only thing I can suggest is you treat people as you would like to be treated.Your "well intentioned comments" are cruel and I think you are above that sort of grade school behaviour.How we treat others is a reflection of how people view us.Take care.

Answer 6

Don't worry, kiddo, If the fatsos got offended let them, maybe with the anger they'll loose calories.
There's no policy anywhere that orders that you need to carry extremes sizes in your business. If they don't like it oh well!! sue me....
You did the right thing and the prrof is that your Boss, is OK Next time if customers get mad,,,,leave them alone, remember...they're burning calories, and if they ask you (of course it's gonna be a stupid question) if you don't have "their" sizes just simply say, no.
After all, damn if you do and damn if you don't. right?
Keep up the good work!

Answer 7

You nasty snot face. It's teens like you that make the world such an unpleasant place to live in. Think you'll be thin and young forever? It's not too late for you to change your ways and become a decent human being. Give it a try, huh! Just remember what goes around comes around and you won't see it coming!

Answer 8

If this happens again, just tell the person that your store doesn't carry plus size or women's size clothing.

Answer 9

Politically correct wouldn't even describe a person as overweight to begin with. What you said was rude; plain and simple. The whole paragraph you wrote shows the prejudices you have against 'fat' people. I wonder how much weight you might gain when you have kids, or need a certain medication, or perhaps deal with depression or any number of reasons why people gain weight. Perhaps a 16 year old 'spoiled' kid might show the same lack of respect.

Answer 10

I have a friend who refers to herself as *unskinny* but I doubt if your customers would have appreciated that. If something like that should come up again refer them to an upscale store in the area that sells clothes for larger women. If you really didn't know any better then don't worry, you know better now. Remember that if you treat them nicely and with respect they will remember it and possibly refer their thin friends to your store which will result in more income for your boss and hopefully a raise for you!!!!