For as long as I can remember, I have been receiving comments about my weight: "Better be careful when you take a shower, you might go down the drain." Or "Heather's so skinny, when she turns sideways...she disappears." I have had people ask me outright how much I weigh, after giving me the once over. I remember being insulted in middle school with the old adage, "Heather is a carpenter's dream: she's flat and easy to screw." My personal favorite is been repeatedly asked if I am anorexic. Then there is also being asked why I need to work out, or how many times I work out in a week. Women also seem to feel free to ask me what my clothing size is: can you believe how tacky people are?
Most people would never walk up to an overweight person and make comments about their size or ask them their weight. So why do people feel entitled to do both to a person who is on the slender side? Many people may read this and wonder how I could possible complain about being skinny....Well, I don't. I realize that I am lucky to have not struggled with a weight problem. But I will complain about ignorant people who label me (and others) as having a debilitating disease or make equally inappropriate comments in front of others.
For those who seem to want this info: I eat three meals a day, I love food, I exercise to stay healthy(and who are we kidding: slender)...What? Do you think I stay this way by sitting on the couch and eating Krispy Kreme? Admittedly, I work pretty hard to maintain my size. I realize two things about this posting: 1) that I sound a little bratty, but 20-odd years of obnoxious comments makes me feel ok about that; 2) Some people honestly don't realize the effect their words have on others, so this is a nudge in the right direction.
