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Student Life

13 Things Every Short Person Hears

A list of the most common things I've heard as a 5-foot-nothing teenager.

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13 Things Every Short Person Hears
Sara Eastman

I've been short for a little over 18 years now and long ago accepted that a miracle growth spurt is not in my future. Being five-foot-nothing has it's perks, it's quirks, and its downsides, most prominently, however, it has an exceptional ability to attract attention. These are the questions I've been asked time and time again about my below-average stature, and the small comments that are always made that I'm sure most fellow shorties can relate to.

1. "Does it bother you when people use you as an arm rest?"

I mean, there's just an extreme pressure from your upper body pressing directly down on my neck or shoulder, but no...I'll be fine.

2. "Hey, I don't know if you're tall enough to ride this one!"

Said everyone I've ever been to an amusement park with ever. I think each member of the group actually takes turns making the joke at each ride, too, so that it's at least slightly unpredictable. Never gets old guys...really...never.

3. "It's a you sized car!!!"

This one comes when we see a Fiat, or a VW Beetle, or a Mini Cooper, or any smart car for that matter. I can reach the pedals in a normal car, just FYI.

4. "You're in college?! I thought you were 13."

Ha. Ha. Ha. That's what I love to here a total stranger loudly state when meeting me. Immediately followed by...

4.5 "Trust me, you'll love looking so young when you're my age."

So I've been told, roughly once a week since middle school.

5. "Is you're mom or dad here? You need to be with an adult for the free samples."

I think I'm old enough to handle a small sample of the new Trident gum flavor, but if you insist, I can drive myself home in my car with my driver's license and bring my mom back with me.

6. "Do you...have a drivers license?"


I was recently asked this one when I applied for a new library card as the guy behind the counter awkwardly giggled. Um sir, what do you think the car keys I'm holding are for?

7. "How old are you? No way, I'm almost as tall as an 18 year old!!!"


I lost track of how many times I've heard this one about a day into my job at a summer day camp for kids. After asking it they typically proceeded to use me as a human armrest.

8."Wait, you're not a freshman?!"

It was really difficult to enforce my seniority in high school when I looked like a middle schooler visiting for a tour.

9. "Do you wish you were tall?"

It depends on the day. The short life is all fun and games until you're stuck in a crowd. When I stand on the bleachers, it only makes me the same height as the person in front and then I continue to watch the event on the big screen.

10. "So are you like done growing forever?"

Yes. I was done growing about four years ago.

11. "WHAT SIZE SHOE DO YOU WEAR? THEY'RE SO TINY!"

Fun fact: children's Converse and Nike's are cheaper than adult's so JOKES ON YOU!

12. "Look at you're hands, they're so tiny!"

Woah, I never noticed!

13. "Can you see?"

I've heard this more than anything in the world, and when it's not stadium seating, it's the biggest perk of being short. No one yells at me when I sneak up to the front because I never obstruct their view. In fact, they usually help me find a path to the front. Thanks tall people!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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