Double standards with weight issues?

Question

Why is it okay to comment on or make fun of people who are thin, but it's not okay to do the same to overweight people?

I'm thin, and I'm so sick of hearing jokes about me being anorexic, or getting dirty looks from women who are larger than me. I also hear stuff like, "Must be nice to be able to eat whatever you want," or "Well we can't all be a size two like Jess" I've walked by women and heard under their breath, "Oh my god, eat something"

Imagine if I said things like that to an overweight person..."Maybe if you didn't eat that cheeseburger you wouldn't weigh so much" I know there are people who say those things and it's definitely not okay, but why is that socially unacceptable, and the reverse seems to be okay?

Answer 1

It is not okay.

People are envious.

Some give compliments; others shoot insults.

Whenever someone makes fun of you for being thin, whether to your face or behind your back, insult them right back.

You should not take sh*t from anyone.

Answer 2

"Must be nice to be able to eat whatever you want" sounds more like a compliment to me. "We can´t all be a size two" sounds like compliment/jealousy, so I really wouldn´t worry about things like that.

"Oh my God, eat someting" from strangers is, however, definitely inappropriate. Please believe me: people definitely make more inappropriate comments about obese people - they just make sure nobody hears them saying it.

These women walking past you, too, didn´t tell you to your face they think you´re too thin - they muttered under their breath in the same way they probably muttered "Look at that fat cow over there" when they walked past the obese girl a couple of steps behind you.

It´s people´s bad manners, not a double standard, I´m afraid.

Both ways of commenting are unacceptable. However, obese people have been joked about massively for about forty years or so - commenting on people being too thin is still relatively new and really, apart from those who just have bad manners, has to do with a) jealousy and b) honest concern because media coverage increased with regards to topics such as bulimic and anorexic girls. Celebs spot size zeros and young girls want to follow in their footsteps - no wonder seeing extremely thin people in the streets makes some people assume these girls simply MUST be starving themselves.

Walk around with a smile and simply ignore comments like the ones you described. If you´re naturally thin, there´s nothing you need to be ashamed of.  :)

Answer 3

My perspective is that people seem to think it is more than alright to make fun of fat people. In general, people should keep comments about other's sizes to themselves.

Answer 4

have you considered saying " I can't believe that you would say that"

a few times and those around you will get the message

Answer 5

I didn't know there was a double standard! I always hear people talk about both very skinny and very fat people. My friend is naturally skinny. No kind of eating disorder, her mother is very small as well. She is a size 0 and has had 2 kids. She can smash a large pizza in under 5 minutes, she is truly someone who doesn't have to worry about what she eats. I truly think its just people being envious of you.  9 years ago I started work at a department store, I was about a size 14/16, I was a good 45-50 pounds over weights. Within a year of starting to work there I lost the weight and was a size 8/10. After I lost the weight everyone was talking about how they think I have an eating disorder or something crazy like that. My attitude didn't change but all the sudden everyone was hating on me because I got into shape. Like I said they are just jealous.

Answer 6

You know Jess you make an excellent point.  I am a woman of larger porportions and you know people are very sensitive when speaking about my weight but everyone usually feels so comfortable speaking about thin people.  But then again it's more socially acceptable to be thin.  People who are thin have it a little better off then people who are overweight in more ways than one.  Most people eat and gain weight some thin people eat all the time and don't gain any weight.  It's an advantage, embrace it.  Those who talk about it are just jealous.  Is it right, NO.  But is it something you should sulk about NO.  Girl there are so many other things that you can get upset about don't let this be an issue.

Answer 7

fat people are jealous of thin people.

thin people are NOT jealous of fat people.

simple as.

thin people are happy how they look.

fat people aren't.

so thin people get bullied because they are healthier and fitter and more beautiful.

Answer 8

Are you kidding?  Fat people are made fun of all the time.  Just turn on a sitcom or two and you'll see them always being made fun of while the people who look like twigs are the ones who are considered beautiful.  People jeer and taunt and make fun of fat people every day in every way.

As for people commenting on your being thin, they are probably jealous.  

I think the reason it is considered alright to make comments about thin people is because thin is considered good.  So to talk about people being thin right to their face is not considered bad manners (even though it is) but is considered a compliment (the "must be nice to be able to eat anything you want" being a prime example).

Why can't we all just treat people like people and not worry about weight?  I get sick of it both ways.

Answer 9

do it, how bout this:

when they say, "must be nice to be able to eat whatever you want."

you say,"what are you talking bout, looks like  you've been eating whatever you want, which is too much, oh snap."

when they say,"well we cant all be a size two like jess"

you say, " well, somebody has to buy from the the big and tall store"

when they say "oh my god, eat something"

you say " i can't, you ate it all already."

when in doubt, crack a joke about there cholesteral or how there going to have a heartattack.

Answer 10

The mother of my grandson is also extremely thin.  She is taller, and she has also been driven to tears by comments from people.  They think she is anorexic (no way, she eats.) She works in the public, and some rude people have told her they want to see her gain weight by the time they see her again.  She has shed more than one tear because of the rude people she encounters.  It is just her unique body type, not a wish to be stick thin.  Who knows why others think it's their duty to belittle anyone for the way they look.