Sunday 30 June 2013

I'm a Tiny Person, So What?

People tripping on air, animals wearing tuxedos, internet memes: they're all pretty funny. You know what isn't funny at all? Making fun of people because of their size. Fat or skinny, it's not exactly a source of humour, really.

If you know me, you've probably heard me say "I'm a tiny person" very often. If you know me, you also probably know that I am a tiny person, underweight and relatively short as well; what many may call skinny. I've generally accepted my size and the pitfalls and the advantages it brings and learned to develop a sense of humour about it. However, in the last couple of years, I've experienced some more weight loss, and one of the consequences has been my anger, so this blog post has been a long time coming.

Some sensitivity has developed in people in recent years, and there are many who refrain from cracking jokes about obesity or people who are overweight. Sadly, the same courtesy doesn't always extend to the other end of the weighing scale. Just because someone is underweight does not give anyone the right to call them out on it, repeatedly. Showing concern for someone's health is one thing, but using that as a starting point for a joke, no matter how harmless the intent, is still malicious.

Sure, you want to ask if I'm unwell or if there is a reason why some of my clothes seem a size too large, go ahead. But implying that I'm losing weight on purpose or that I use less than healthy means to do it is just asking for pain. Physical fitness is a great thing, necessary even- but not everyone can achieve it, can they? You probably aren't perfect, I most definitely am not. Let's stop defining people based on their size and looks. If you're one of those people who've told me how I'm supposedly lucky because I lose weight without making an effort, I'm not. If you've managed a laugh out of telling me that "Farheen you're like a stick" or "Ants wouldn't get crushed under you" or "You'll probably fly away if it gets too windy", you should probably stop. Its not like I hate you for these things or that I'll have any contempt for you, but its just not nice. I've often been vocal about people who comment on my healthier friend's sizes, but I haven't really had anyone do that for people who make fun of me. To be honest, I don't even let it show that those comments hurt, because usually I can take it in my stride, but thanks to a recent increase in such 'observations' from the relatively saner company I keep, I've decided to speak out.

Body image issues are rampant in people my age. I'm not claiming to be a victim of them, but people don't really let you breathe easily if you don't look or dress in a certain way. I'm not even going into how these issues tie into the supposed structures of femininity and masculinity and what makes a person "hot" or "curvy". Whole different ball game, I tell you. Unknowingly even I've often made such derogatory comments about others, and I apologize to anyone of you who's reading this. But if you are someone who says you're scared of hugging me because you think I'll break, open your eyes, dude. Maybe the hug will help you and me both.

14 comments:

  1. My dinning table is a battlefield where my granny and I are always at war because I have a tiny appetite and an even tinier waist. I know how annoying and hurtful it can be sometimes and after a point of time the taunts just get on your nerves. I'll be the first one to share this since it voices my pain as well :D

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    1. I can imagine why it'd be the same for you. Its tiring, honestly.
      Thanks! :)

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  2. Omg!!! *Hug* I could connect myself with you on each and every line... The worst thing is when ppl advice you to eat more and don't really know how much is ur apetite... So I've decided that the next time when I get such an advice I am going to ask that person to treat me and contribute for the improvement of my "sad health"(sarcasm)

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    1. Now that is a good idea. Sharp che tu, thanks :p

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  3. Yaa it is hurting .. people do call me fat .... !! N i extremely hate that thing.. bt at d end of d day i just hear it ... coz y to waste our energy on those fickle minded people...n farheen great going ... \\m// .. very nicely interpreted... :-D way to goo ... (y).....

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    1. I understand that. Such people are fickle minded and usually it is easy to ignore it, but sometimes it really gets to you, whether you're fat or thin. Its ridiculous.

      Thank you for taking the time to read, Thanks :D

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  4. I never knew it's this bad for you. Generally, it's people who are fat who face this. This is probably the second time I'm hearing of stuff like this happening to people who are skinny. I mean, isn't it what people run after these days? SIZE ZERO!
    But anyway, I don't see the point of judging people based on their weight so critically. It doesn't define them.
    I've been on the receiving end of countless remarks about my weight since school, and being the over-sensitive person that I am, I haven't managed to take it in my stride as yet. I'll be happier if people actually follow what you wrote. :)

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    1. It is usually this bad, and sadly it goes unnoticed most of the time. And ironically, size zero is only acceptable if you have a hundred cameras following you around. Its quite ridiculous.

      Thank you, though.

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  5. I absolutely agree and It feels all the more pathetic when people go on with their disgusting comments over and over again. I Absolutely LOVE the way you write, simple and crisp! :D

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  6. Totally agree! U bet, even i am used to hearing ol f dis crap lik 'ur soo thin'.. not just dat, ive been called 'malnourished', vich is so vague n hence i fortunately manage to ignore dem! :)

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