If you're 5'3" or below, you know the struggles that come from living in a world built for people who are at least 5'6". When we reached a certain age we just stopped growing. Every year we wished and wished for just one more growth spurt, but we would never gain those final two inches that would finally allow us to ride the big kid roller coasters at the amusement park.
1. It's impossible to keep up with your tall friends.
A normal person's walking pace is easily a slow jog for you. As a result you are constantly out of breath when trying to keep up with your friends. You have to ask them at least three times to slow down before they comprehend exactly how slow they have to walk for you to keep up without having an asthma attack.
2. Your friends constantly make fun of you for being short.
You are constantly compared to oompa loompas, munchkins and Peter Dinklage's character in "Elf." Some of my personal favorites include, "How's the weather down there?," "How old are you really?," and, "Oh, you're just snack size."
3. People think it's funny to pick you up.
Whether it's brothers, cousins, friends, or even the odd uncle, everyone is always asking if they can try to pick you up, and then doing it, before you can respond. I'm an adult, not a child. Put me down before I get sick from the altitude.
4. Your friends ask how you can reach things on the top shelves.
You mastered the art of climbing on whatever you need to to get stuff off the top shelf; whether it was a countertop, a shelf, or a swivel chair, nothing is going to keep you down. You'd kill it as a rock climber.
5. Concerts with standing room only are pretty much your worst nightmare.
Concerts are the one time when people aren't willing to let the shorties hang out in front. No matter how good the band is, staring at the backs of the people in front of you just isn't that much fun.
6. People are always calling you "cute."
Because of your size people will never really see you as a grownup, so they'll always treat you like they would their 11-year-old niece.
7. You're head/shoulder is frequently used as an arm rest.
Why people think that this is OK is a mystery. Just like being picked up all the time, people also think it's OK to plop their limbs on you at a moment's notice. I am not a piece of furniture.
8. Finding a mirror that you can actually see into without a stool/standing on your toes is a miracle.
9. Your friends get tired of having to get things off shelves for you.
Just because you can be a monkey in a jungle gym doesn't mean that you want to. You take advantage of tall people when they're around. Apparently tall people have problems too!
10. You're constantly having to answer stupid questions about your height.
"No, I'm not going to grow anymore." Also, "No, I'm not part oompa loompa, munchkin, etc."
11. Shopping is an eternal struggle.
Finding a pair of jeans that doesn't need to be hemmed is extremely rare, but when it happens your entire day is made and there will most likely be a happy dance of some sort in your new favorite jeans.
