Why is it ok in society to make fun of short people, but not "little people"?

Question

Now, I know that "little people" have a very hard time in society and everything is extremely hard for them. Yet, you still try to treat them normally like any other person. You wouldn't make fun of their height to their face.

But on my hand, i am short and people always rag on me about that all the time.

Why is it acceptable to do that to me and not a "little person"? I still have feelings also and I still can't do things that other people can do. I am still looked away by the other gender because of this.

Answer 1

You are right, of course: It should be just as taboo to discriminate against you as it is a little person.

By the same token, though, it should be just as taboo to discriminate against ANYBODY for ANY physical feature.

Unfortunately, we live in a society made up of people with prejudices and discrimination is a way of life for most of them.

To quote from a recent episode of Scrubs, "People are bastard-coated bastards with a creamy bastard filling."

Answer 2

Excellent question!

I am short ... but my husband is 6'2", and everyone in his family is anywhere from 6' to 6'8". My children (from previous marriage) are also short, and we get teased constantly during the holidays when the entire family is together. My son takes it personally, and it has been a source of irritation for him his entire life. My daughter also takes offense -- yet I just let it roll off.

Perhaps the reason people make fun of short people is to take the attention away from themselves, especially those who are so tall. I know my nephew, who is 6'8", gets teased alot for his height, and he is the worst about teasing me and my children.

Back in the day when people really made fun of me, they would always ask "Hey, how's the weather down there?" I would always ask back "Great! How's the weather up THERE?" And my dad was the worst! I cannot tell you how many times he asked me if I had sued the city yet -- and I always played along saying "No, why would I?" His response "For making the sidewalks too close to your a**!" Ha, Ha.

My dad was not a tall man by today's standards. Oh well. He got a kick out of it!

In answer to your question, I think people make fun of anybody who is different from themselves. Why? Maybe to make themselves feel more superior, to break tension, to initiate conversation, to show someone they accept them and love them. Could be any number of reasons. And the reason the same is not dished out to "little people" is because of all the hype about political correctness.

Answer 3

I bet people rag on you because you appear as though you can take it. I wouldn't be surprised if some of these teasers see it as a sign of being friends. I don't know if you have ever been friends with a "little person" but their friends make fun of them too in a friend kind of way. I personally don't think it's acceptable to make fun of anyone for anything. If your feelings are being hurt, perhaps you can just say enough is enough. I still wouldn't take it personally. There is someone out there for everyone.

Answer 4

I'm technically a bit of both, as I have growth hormone deficiency, but I'm tall for a person who didn't have it treated (4' 10") People tend to consider it rude to make fun of a health problem, but not a general attribute. In my case, it's hard for people to tell that my height is the result of a health problem, so I get the same thing until I explain that it's due to GHD. Then nobody ever says a thing.

Answer 5

I don't think it is ok to make fun of you being short anyway. But I guess You have learnt to accept this and took it well so people do it in jest but not being nasty.

However, the "making fun of little people" are more of an issue about little people AS A WHOLE. And it is not a righ tthing to do. It is bigotry and prejudice.

On an individual level, I am sure there are those people who are short but have good friends who sometimes crack joke about their height but not with malice and they are ok with this.

Answer 6

I am a teenager and short for my age. I personally like shorter guys. I feel less self-conscious about myself when I am around other short people. Honestly, you should embrace it! I get a lot of attention from people when I say 'I am not short, I am vertically challenged!' So just, don't think, 'I am so short' think, 'I'm just a little vertically challenged' It works every time. One of my really good friends is actually really really tall. We tell her she is vertically gifted. We live in a culture where people are judged on things they can't change (without surgery) about themselves. I think, that if you really want to get into that whole thing about society, there is a great show called 'Without Prejudice'. I think you can watch episodes on gsn.com, but I am not sure.

Answer 7

I don't think it's acceptable to mock anyone regardless of their size, shape or color. People who have to ridicule others are lacking something inside themselves and are just plain jerks. If you get so frustrated that you can't let it go, you might try using a comeback. Say something like "At least I'm only small on the outside and not on the inside like the people who feel the need to comment on my stature." It's an indirect put-down but they'll get the message.

Answer 8

It is NOT acceptable to make fun of ANYONE for any reason. Be they short,Tall,Little,Fat,Skinny or any thing else. Why would you want to make fun of someone anyways? Would that make you feel better?
I think of those that make fun of others as cowards who are insecure and do this just to take the focus off their own imperfections.
Sorry You shouldn't do it at all.

Answer 9

It isn't okay for people to make fun of anyone. Those who have low self esteem and "little" minds like to pump themselves up by making others feel bad. Try to think about that when they are making fun of you and get a think you are the better person for not being like that.

Answer 10

Whatever gave you the idea that it's "okay to make fun of short people"? It's inappropriate to make fun of ANYone's physical features.

It SEEMS more inappropriate to make fun of "little people" because their stature is actually, in many instances, disabling, while "short people" are merely "less tall".

(As a short person who is married to a short person and who has a short son, I can assure you, it's NOT "okay" to make fun of short people, even if society doesn't adequately "swat" you for it.)

:)