this post was submitted on 27 May 2026
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Whenever I tell someone that I wish i was shorter, they are always taken a back(being masculine presenting). I am just over 6 ft, in my country, that's a bit above average height. Its not like I am a gaint or anything but I am always aware how intimidating I look. Also, the country where I live doesn't feel like it build for people my size. Mini-van for transportation that squish my knees, ceiling that are a bit too low for my taste, showers space that's too small.

But also, I feel like a bumbling idiot (I suspect I have Dysprixa) and hate standing out so much. I may have Body dysmorphia. Its like how I would like to be seen and how I feel, are the exact opposite to how I seen. I feel small, soft, in a relationship, I would prefer to take on the "feminine " role. I feel nothing like a man.

Anyone else relates to this.

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[–] NABDad@lemmy.world 10 points 17 hours ago (2 children)

6'4" here.

I wouldn't say I'd want to be shorter, but I have definitely experienced a lot of what you describe.

In addition to being intimidating because I'm big, I also have real bad resting murder face. It used to bother me, but my wife is 5'1" (on a good day), and we've used it to her advantage.

She's often dismissed or not taken seriously. When she is being disrespected or expects to be, she brings me along. Everyone always treats her with respect when I'm standing behind her.

I don't like taking the train because my knees are pushed up against the seat in front of me. I'm also uncomfortable in most cars. I'm long in the torso, so even in an SUV I have to lean the seat way back to fit in. I currently drive a 2nd generation Honda Ridgeline, and it's the first time in decades where I have space above my head.

Clothing is difficult. I buy my clothing online because I can never find more than one or two options that fit in a store. I used to go to a outlet store because they had such a massive inventory, I could actually find things in my size. My shirts tend to be like tents because I usually can't find the extra tall sizes, so I end up getting a regular 3x so the shirt reaches down to my waist.

There's another downside to being tall that you didn't mention. Years ago my son (taller than me) noticed that you don't see many tall, elderly people. I had to break the news to him that, statistically speaking, being taller means dying earlier.

Bigger people have more cells in their body. More cells means more chances for cancer. More cancer means shorter life.

So, if you're miserable being tall, take some consolation from the knowledge that it won't last long.

[–] alternategait@lemmy.world 2 points 10 hours ago

I’m a pretty average sized person but I’ve stared having bespoke clothing made for me. It’s frequently not as expensive as I initially thought it would be and there is a magic feeling to slipping into a pair of pants that just fits.

[–] A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 2 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

so I end up getting a regular 3x so the shirt reaches down to my waist.

the problem with that in my experiences is that most companies just make the shirts wider, as opposed to longer. I've had times looking at shirts in the store where the there was like an inch of difference in length between large and 3x large, but the width difference was astronomical.

JCPenny seems to be dying out, but their online always seemed to have a good collection of tall and big clothes if you're looking for stores.

So, if you’re miserable being tall, take some consolation from the knowledge that it won’t last long.

Not soon enough

[–] NABDad@lemmy.world 1 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

most companies just make the shirts wider, as opposed to longer

No doubt. I've got a bunch of 3XL shirts that are at least 10 inches wider than I need them to be to get 1-2 inches of extra length.

I think there's also an assumption that if you're tall it's because your legs (and arms) are long, like a giraffe. I'm not built like that. I'm just big.

[–] A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world 2 points 9 hours ago

Yeah, makes finding clothes super hard.

and then you wear it forever when you do, and refuse to give it up, even when its falling apart, because you literally have never found another shirt that fits like it.