Why would people say they are taller than they really are ? Like CA Governor?

Question

http://www.chicagoreader.com/hottype/2003/030919_1.html

Answer 1

Because we shrink as we get older:

I used to be 6'4" when I was in college.

Twenty year later i am 6'3" in the evening

Answer 2

Does it really matter that much?

Answer 3

Tall men command more respect, it is a psychological fact that has been proven, for example they generally end up in higher paid jobs, and upper management in large companies almost always consists of tall men. Overall women don’t want to be with man who isn’t respected by others, or at least would much rather be with someone who is.

Some theories are that taller men were healthier and stronger in prehistoric times because they were better able to obtain resources - thus they were better able to provide for and protect their families.  There is a scientific link between height and nutrition (e.g., as a population, humans are a couple of inches taller than we were even 30 years ago), so it is a valid point.