Why is it OK to say that someone is too thin and not OK to say that someone is fat??

Question

And why are mostly fat women who make these comments?

Answer 1

It's equally okay or not okay, but really except those with eating disorders and distorted body images, people pretty much know when they are too fat or too thin, so telling them is like telling them they have a head (they know that).

Why tell someone either, especially when the comments rarely come out of care for the person or desire to suggest a way for them to become healthier?

I know when I'm fat...I know when I'm too thin. I don't need anyone to tell me, but some people feel the need to let you know they recognize your size isn't quite "right" or you just got a haircut or you've been out in the sun...as if you weren't aware of those things.

Answer 2

I don't think it's ok either way. We don't know why someone is thin or heavy. Sometimes people have medical conditions and/or prescription drugs that cause weight gain, etc. Sometimes people can't gain weight either for some reason; My ex was like that (I made protein shakes, cooked all the time, he ate a lot!) I think it is more tactful just to keep your comments to yourself because you never know when you are going to hurt someone's feelings. Frankly, it is not anybody else's business why a person has a certain body type.

Also, if you think people that are overweight don't get things said to them- totally false. It happens on both sides and it can be hurtful. I am full-figured but active, living & loving every minute of my life. I am more comfortable in my skin than ever before but people still say stuff. If I go to a party and I happen to be eating a carrot, someone might say "Are you on a diet?" My answer- "No, am I supposed to be?" I just happen to eat carrots and healthy things and I am not walking around eating deep fried twinkies. I feel like saying "I'm fine with me, get over it!" because obviously I am not the one with problem. I don't mind the size of my butt.

Also, to say that "Fat women" are the ones making the comments, I don't think it's fat women, just ignorant people. I would never comment on someones weight, period!

Answer 3

I would love to know the answer to this!! I am a very thin person, I eat all the time and I just don't gain weight so people think that they can tell me their opinion. Here's some good examples of what I hear:

1. If you'd put some meat on your bones you wouldn't be so cold. But if I said "hey if you dropped a few pounds you wouldn't be so hot" I would probably get slapped.

2. Your so small. I hate you. Totally rude and it would not be ok if someone said: Your so fat. I hate you.

I cannot understand why people think it's ok to make these remarks to thin people and not larger people. I don't think you should make remarks about anyones weight.

I don't really think it's just larger people that make these comments though. I've heard it from everyone.

Answer 4

It's not. It's never ok to criticize people about their appearance especially if it's something they can't control. Fat people and skinny people a lot of times can't control their weight. I have a cousin that for years tried to gain weight because she was too thin but she never could. She was so self concious about it she would never wear shorts, bathing suits or even sleeveless tops. Skinny people have body image issues just like us fat people do. These people that criticize should just shut their mouths and focus on their own problems.

Answer 5

I don't think it's ok to comment on someone's weight either way. I am overweight myself and would never criticize someone else for being too thin. I guess the people that do are probably jealous, or don't understand that people who are very thin probably don't want to hear any crap about it.

Answer 6

It's not OK to make this sort of comment to people no matter what their weight.

I think sometimes people are at a loss as to a proper thing to say (such as "that color looks nice on you") or are just plain jealous. Could be they feel better by tearing someone else down. Regardless of the reason, it's still rude and hurtful.

Answer 7

Actually, both of them is not right to tell a person. Except maybe if the person knows you and vice versa.

What most people don't know is that such comments hurt the person, even though, saying that a person is thin is a lighter comment than telling a person that he/she is fat, especially if there's a truth in your comment...remember that the truth ALWAYS hurt...and we have to consider the attitude of the person too..so, to please everyone, let us then, just avoid saying these comments, unless the person to whom we are addressing these knew that we are just jeering on them.

Answer 8

Being thin is socially exceptable. Blame the media and society. They make people believe Skinny=Beautiful and Fat=Ugly. Also how t.v portrays obese people. The main traits of a obese person on t.v. is over eats and the comic relief. You have celebrities that are dangerously skinny and people look up to these people like gods.

Answer 9

Because thin people are not ostracized like fat people are. Being callled fat has become an insult in this country, whereas being called thin is considered a compliment.

Answer 10

It's less of a stigma to be thin. So, when someone says someone is thin, it's normally viewed as a compliment. Overweight women say other women are too thin because they are self-conscious about their own weight.