What Do You Consider Tall?

Off Topic
61

[quote]John Blaze wrote:
Here’s what it comes down to:

I think the main issue with height is not the height itself, but how you perceive yourself, especially relative to others. Do you feel big inside, or small inside? Some of the biggest men are actually of average height, but are perceived to be bigger than they really are because of the way they seem to project a bigger presence.

Also, if you are muscular, you will be perceived as big.[/quote]

You nailed it. Size comes from the inside. My grandma was only 4’11" (hard to believe considering I’m 6’5") and she is one of the biggest people I know. As far as physical perception is concerned though, I consider 6’2" and over tall and anthing between 5’8" and that to be average.

62

[quote]fireplug52 wrote:
slimjim wrote:
fireplug52 wrote:
I’m 5’3’', dont want to be taller.

Seriously?

Yes, seriously. I was always shorter than everyone else, so I got used to it. Wishing you were taller seems to indicate some kind of dissatisfaction with yourself to me, like wishing your eyes were brown or something. I just dont get it. I mean, there are indeed advantages (basketball, reaching that pesky top shelf) but other than the reach, I give it a pass.[/quote]

There are just as many advantages to being short.

Might not have the reach, but stability is easier with a lower center of gravity = Less injuries when doing crazy fun shit.

Less miles of circulatory system = Less strain on the heart for greater longevity.

Not bumping your head on low overpasses. Less conspicuous when beneficial. Hiding in tiny places to jump out and scare people. At just the right level to punch someone in the nuts during a fight. Being “the short one” in a boy band (but I’m thinking Bushwick Bill from Geto Boys!), etc. etc.

Speaking of: “While you’re getting on your knees to fuck, a nigga like me is still standing up.” -Bushwick

There are just as many advantages to being tall. Or black or white or male or female. It’s all good.

63

I’m 6’4", 193 cm. I am tall. I consider 6’4 to be the cutoff of tall and freakishly tall. Although some people can pull off 6’5 or even 6’6 without it being too awkward. I have been tall my whole life, I’ve always been the tallest at school, and even though I’m not freakishly tall, I’ve still been treated like I am by the shorties that I grew up around.

I consider 6’0 to be tall. Even though the average male height is supposedly 5’10-5’11, it seems like the vast majority of the people I meet are 5’6-5’10. Of course, I know a few people that are taller than me, and a few people that are barely shorter than me. Interestingly enough though, I cannot think of anyone I know offhand who is exactly my height, my brother is 192 cm though.

I’m very comfortable with my height. I do not slouch, I do not make concessions for shorter folk, I can dunk on a regulation hoop, and it’s easy for me to get someone’s attention, or otherwise have the general attention of a room. Also, in the long run with weight training, I arguably have a greater mass potential, even though I don’t necessarily intend to get that far. I have a wicked height advantages in many sports. Volleyball, Tennis, Basketball, Ultimate Frisbee… Even Backpacking and hiking.

The downsides to my height are that I have to field endless basketball related questions, it is, on average a little bit more challenging for me to do gymnastics related stuff(I love doing handsprings and flips and balancing acts, but the learning curve for me is steeper). It’s a bit more work to put on noticeable muscle mass. Even though I have gained a solid 5-6 pounds of mass in the passed few months, I still basically look the same. I wager it won’t be until I’ve put on at least 20 or 30 pounds of mass that people will really start to take notice. There is also that leverage issue with weight training, making it a little bit more of an uphill battle, but I don’t really mind.

Also, Dating short girls can be awkward. I went out with a girl who was 4’11 for a little while. She was an excellent woman but the height thing was a nuisance.

64

I would like to add that, despite being 6’4 and taller than 99% of the people I encounter on a daily basis. Whenever I see someone taller than me, even if it’s only a little bit. I usually get weirded out a little.

I’m getting better about it, but I guess you can’t blame me, I literally spent all my life as the tallest guy around, so whenever another guy enters who is a little taller… it’s unsettling.

Also, I really think I’m goin to hurt myself if I keep playing with my friends that are ~5’8. We’re all very athletic, but it is clear they have a considerable advantage with all manner of jumping related tomfoolery.

65

[quote]Malevolence wrote:
I would like to add that, despite being 6’4 and taller than 99% of the people I encounter on a daily basis. Whenever I see someone taller than me, even if it’s only a little bit. I usually get weirded out a little.

I’m getting better about it, but I guess you can’t blame me, I literally spent all my life as the tallest guy around, so whenever another guy enters who is a little taller… it’s unsettling.

Also, I really think I’m goin to hurt myself if I keep playing with my friends that are ~5’8. We’re all very athletic, but it is clear they have a considerable advantage with all manner of jumping related tomfoolery.[/quote]

Ha, I know the feeling. It’s also funny seeing other tall guys sizing you up on the street. Almost as fun as seeing the looks on people’s faces when I speak Korean with a spot-on Seoul accent.

66

I’m 5’10 - 5’10 1/2

Heights never really been a big issue with me.

6 foot seems to be the measuring stick for most people…but in reality whats the difference between 6 foot and someone 5’9 or 5’10…not much when you stand side by side.

for the record 6’5 and above i consider tall. Anything 5’6 or below i consider short.

67

Really it’s all about the tall-man gang. I’m 6’4" and two of my best friends are 6’6" and 6’8". One time we went to Olive Garden and you would’ve thought Godzilla was walking through the room the way people were looking at us.

We have another friend who’s 6’9". I think we’re going to start going to college parties and telling girls we play basketball for Duke or UNC.

68

[quote]jtrinsey wrote:
Really it’s all about the tall-man gang. I’m 6’4" and two of my best friends are 6’6" and 6’8". One time we went to Olive Garden and you would’ve thought Godzilla was walking through the room the way people were looking at us.

We have another friend who’s 6’9". I think we’re going to start going to college parties and telling girls we play basketball for Duke or UNC.[/quote]

Haha.

Living in Miami and (limited)Orlando, I rarely see guys taller than 6’3". Would be funny seeing your possee.

Being 5’9" is fine with me. My lowish COG helps when playing football making cuts. My short levers allow for quick acceleration to max velocity.

The cons have been the lack of vertical jumping ability. It hasn’t been that much of an issue but I’m working on it.

69

[quote]oboffill wrote:
Being 5’9" is fine with me. My lowish COG helps when playing football making cuts. My short levers allow for quick acceleration to max velocity.

The cons have been the lack of vertical jumping ability. It hasn’t been that much of an issue but I’m working on it. [/quote]

That’s true. Generally I think shorter, stockier guys are quicker and more explosive while lankier guys take longer to get going but can jump higher off the run and have faster top speed.

70

6 ft is a nice round number. At 5`7, plenty of people are taller than me. But it’s not until they’re five-six inches taller than me do they feel that much “taller”.

71

[quote]Malevolence wrote:
I would like to add that, despite being 6’4 and taller than 99% of the people I encounter on a daily basis. Whenever I see someone taller than me, even if it’s only a little bit. I usually get weirded out a little.

I’m getting better about it, but I guess you can’t blame me, I literally spent all my life as the tallest guy around, so whenever another guy enters who is a little taller… it’s unsettling.

Also, I really think I’m goin to hurt myself if I keep playing with my friends that are ~5’8. We’re all very athletic, but it is clear they have a considerable advantage with all manner of jumping related tomfoolery.[/quote]

LOL, now you see why shorter guys give you those looks. I find that taller guys internally don’t like it when another man who is taller is around them.

72

[quote]EmperialChina wrote:
Malevolence wrote:
I would like to add that, despite being 6’4 and taller than 99% of the people I encounter on a daily basis. Whenever I see someone taller than me, even if it’s only a little bit. I usually get weirded out a little.

I’m getting better about it, but I guess you can’t blame me, I literally spent all my life as the tallest guy around, so whenever another guy enters who is a little taller… it’s unsettling.

Also, I really think I’m goin to hurt myself if I keep playing with my friends that are ~5’8. We’re all very athletic, but it is clear they have a considerable advantage with all manner of jumping related tomfoolery.

LOL, now you see why shorter guys give you those looks. I find that taller guys internally don’t like it when another man who is taller is around them.[/quote]

We definitely don’t like it! It takes some getting used to at least. Of course, the guy with many tall friends is less likely to care, but the guy who has always been the tallest, it just takes some acclimating.

Another thing about height. Guys lie about it. All the time. I can’t even believe some of my friends sometimes. One of my friends is 5’10 optimistically, he regularly states his height as “about 5’11”, when he’s around anyone taller than 6’0 he regularly comes up with some absurd subdivision like “oh, I’m about 5’11” and 3/5ths"

I mean, it’s insecurity, but it’s also just a competitive attitude I think, and at least partially habitual.

I feel a little badly for the shorter guys that are clearly made to feel insignificant about it. When asked about their height, they’ll either lie a little or outright say “I don’t even know” and when people start throwing out numbers they’ll shy away with “yeah, something like that I guess”. Being short is not a bad thing, It’s unfortunate that it has some stigmas.

Also, aside from all of that… Being tall also means that when you’re around… PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME. I cannot remember the last party or get together or even casual acquaintancing[sic] I’ve been involved in that didn’t at least brush the topic of height.

73

[quote]jtrinsey wrote:
oboffill wrote:
Being 5’9" is fine with me. My lowish COG helps when playing football making cuts. My short levers allow for quick acceleration to max velocity.

The cons have been the lack of vertical jumping ability. It hasn’t been that much of an issue but I’m working on it.

That’s true. Generally I think shorter, stockier guys are quicker and more explosive while lankier guys take longer to get going but can jump higher off the run and have faster top speed.[/quote]

Yeah, I’ve definitely got a very fast top speed, I can definitely jump high, and I’m pretty good on my ankles even… but I am also a slow moving oaf at the same time. But I think I could be just as explosive and sprinty as some of my shorter friends, I’d just have to put in a lot of extra effort for it.

74

[quote]Malevolence wrote:
Another thing about height. Guys lie about it. All the time. I can’t even believe some of my friends sometimes. One of my friends is 5’10 optimistically, he regularly states his height as “about 5’11”, when he’s around anyone taller than 6’0 he regularly comes up with some absurd subdivision like “oh, I’m about 5’11” and 3/5ths"
[/quote]

Ahhh hahha I’ve noticed this as well.

This reminds me of gym class when we all had to get weighed, and every girl swore the scale was inaccurate. Except of course for the ones who were in shape.

75

[quote]WantAbs wrote:
MikeTheBear wrote:
Dude, you need to be slapped on the head. 6’1" is a really good height to be. No, you’re not going to be the tallest guy in the room, but you’re not going to be a freak show either. Start getting into the 6’8" range and you start looking goofy.

But I guess everyone wants to be taller. I knew a guy who was 6’4" who wanted to be taller. I’ve learned to be content at 5’8".

Teach me the ways to be content with 5’8" cause I think it sucks… how the hell does this genetics thing work anyway’s! My dad is 6’2" and my mom is 5’10" how the hell did I get the short end of the stick??[/quote]

Funny both my parents are 5’5" and i’m 6’. :slight_smile:

76

I’m 6’1" my wife is 5’7". I was always considered tall playing all sports. My middle son is 6’3" at 14 yrs old. He towers over most of his peers and everybody keeps asking him, “your so tall, do you play basketball”. He likes being tall but hates the question. So I told him next time he’s asked if he plays basketball, look down at the person and reply, " No, but seeing your so short you must play miniature golf".

77

[quote]Vytis Yankus wrote:
I’m 6’1" my wife is 5’7". I was always considered tall playing all sports. My middle son is 6’3" at 14 yrs old. He towers over most of his peers and everybody keeps asking him, “your so tall, do you play basketball”. He likes being tall but hates the question. So I told him next time he’s asked if he plays basketball, look down at the person and reply, " No, but seeing your so short you must play miniature golf".[/quote]

I’m 6’7" and I get the basketball question all the time. To these people, being tall and not playing basketball is like having a lottery ticket and not turning it in. Next time I’ll try using your miniature golf line.

Personally, I think 6’4" is an optimal, tall height. You’re tall, but not so tall that you stick out like a sore thumb everywhere you go.

78

Vytis,

That’s rich. Sounds like your son should start hitting the gym at age 14.
Then people will ask “Why are you so big?” as he picks them up and tosses them out of his way.

As for me I’m 5’10" but my shoulder breadth is 21".

79

[quote]Malevolence wrote:
We definitely don’t like it! It takes some getting used to at least. Of course, the guy with many tall friends is less likely to care, but the guy who has always been the tallest, it just takes some acclimating.

Another thing about height. Guys lie about it. All the time. I can’t even believe some of my friends sometimes. One of my friends is 5’10 optimistically, he regularly states his height as “about 5’11”, when he’s around anyone taller than 6’0 he regularly comes up with some absurd subdivision like “oh, I’m about 5’11” and 3/5ths"

I mean, it’s insecurity, but it’s also just a competitive attitude I think, and at least partially habitual.

I feel a little badly for the shorter guys that are clearly made to feel insignificant about it. When asked about their height, they’ll either lie a little or outright say “I don’t even know” and when people start throwing out numbers they’ll shy away with “yeah, something like that I guess”. Being short is not a bad thing, It’s unfortunate that it has some stigmas.

Also, aside from all of that… Being tall also means that when you’re around… PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME. I cannot remember the last party or get together or even casual acquaintancing[sic] I’ve been involved in that didn’t at least brush the topic of height.[/quote]

Nice post. I am about 2 inches shorter than you and even I am uncomfortable when a guy is towering over me, I was partly speaking from experience. Then again I like it when someone way taller comes near me, and I can see how much of a little bitch I can look like. :slight_smile: I think the reason is, you won’t be used to it as often. I am unsure where you are from but since I moved to New York from a small town in way upstate New York, I see more people number wise. But I heard only about 3% of males are at or over 6’3", so its the infrequency that can get to you.

I definitely agree, most guys lie out of their asses about their height, it depends ont their personality. I work with a guy who said he was 6’1" I found that funny seeing how I could see the top of his head when standing, lol. I think if you are known as the tallest the minute someone taller comes by you, you are bumped to second’s best.

I noticed shorter guys have a larger representation in lifting, and bodybuilding, and I am unsure if it matters to most? I have seen some women that come close to my height and a few over (only I think twice), that is always funny, hot, and akward. lol.

80

I knew a family called the Tallman’s and their kids were damn tall genetic monsters.

Here is Michael Clark Duncan being made a bitch by Lisa Leslie (6’5") in heels.