I’m 5’8” as a woman, close to 6’ in heels. I never notice how tall people are.

I have no idea how tall most of my female friends are. I think of them as “my size” or “shorter than me”. If a woman is 5’5” - 5’1”, I don’t really notice a difference.

Similarly I think of men as “shorter than me”, “taller than me” and “taller than my husband”

I’m 5’3 and just don’t think much about it. It doesn’t affect me.

I wonder if it is rooted in some insecurity or jealousy. I'm 5'8" and since I was a teen people have always commented on my height. People were jealous, people complimented me, etc. Being "model height" was a thing to be envied. I wonder if OP got that too so when she sees women taller then her it kind of strikes her down that there are women with an even more enviable height. I'm not sure if I'm describing it right but I hope people get it. FWIW it took me a long long time to be happy with my height.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a 6'8" woman (drank lots of milk) and never feel threatened by those taller than me. Those shorter than me I perceive as weaklings.

Ha ha! And I'm sure you have a more successful and happy life than others, OP.
Yes, we shorter people are ALL WEAK. And poorer and more miserable.

I never said you're poor or miserable. Many short people are far more successful than me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a 6'8" woman (drank lots of milk) and never feel threatened by those taller than me. Those shorter than me I perceive as weaklings.

You playing for the WNBA?

No, I live on a cloud on top of a beanstalk.

Anonymous wrote:
I'm 5'4" and also drank lots of milk (eyeroll, PP). I've never been bothered by other people's height.

But I do prefer my husband to be approximately my height, because I don't want to lift my head every time I talk to him. And indeed, my husband is 5'6". Our children are short too. It's all fine.

I don't quite understand DCUM's obsession with height, to be honest.

+1

MIL is overly concerned with height. DH is the tallest in his family, and DSs take after my side. MIL actually commented that she hopes they are done growing? That is messed up! Not terribly surprised at her saying something so inappropriate.

Anonymous wrote:Status issues. I'm the same.

Stature issues

Anonymous wrote:I'm a 6' tall woman and I've never understood the superficial obsession with height. My husband is 5'8" and I never give it a second thought. I had a 2-year relationship with a guy who was 5'4" and his height never crossed my mind.

I don't think it's an obsession just a noticed trait to remark on like really glossy hair, striking eye colors, big ears, long necks, torso length, a new haircut. People appreciate it or they don't, but notice it as a feature and remark more than they should (to you or to others) but I guarantee they walk away and don't think about it much at all.

Anonymous wrote:Maybe it's an involuntary othering or discrimination. Do you expect someone taller to be antagonistic? Some expect that from short people (napoleon complex). Or is it more personal and you feel odd to be smaller?

Do you feel that way about known taller friends or just strangers?

I'm not OP but for me it's a physical reaction. Someone hulking over me makes me feel off-balance, even dizzy. Obviously I push it aside in the case of friends and colleagues and such, but this is precisely why I swipe left on anyone over 5'9" on a dating app. I did make one exception for someone who was 5'10", but our relationship was mostly horizontal anyway.

5'0 and my 5th grade DS is taller than me. I'm never bothered by my height unless I'm shopping for pants or someone rests their elbow on my head.

Anonymous wrote:I’m the opposite, OP. I’m 5’3” and take note of women shorter than I am.

Ironically, two of the tallest women I know are Asian and with their tall husbands, have kids like 6’7”.

I'm 5'2" and same! I'm used to women being taller than me, but not usually shorter.

Status issues. I'm the same.

I'm a 6' tall woman and I've never understood the superficial obsession with height. My husband is 5'8" and I never give it a second thought. I had a 2-year relationship with a guy who was 5'4" and his height never crossed my mind.

I'm short (5') and it doesn't bother me at all. I mean, everyone is taller than me. Middle schoolers are taller than me. I would have a tough row to hoe if it affected me.

You would benefit from exposure therapy. Hang out with only taller people for a week. You'll get over it.

Maybe it's an involuntary othering or discrimination. Do you expect someone taller to be antagonistic? Some expect that from short people (napoleon complex). Or is it more personal and you feel odd to be smaller?

Do you feel that way about known taller friends or just strangers?