Some of you will relate to this post. Some of you will not. Hopefully all of you will giggle a bit and realize that I have learned to live with my affliction in a dignified manner but there are days when I want to scream.
I could blame the affliction on my parents, who could blame it on theirs and so on and so forth. It's really not their fault and there is nothing they can do about it.
I'm short. Petite. Vertically challenged. A shrimp. Small-fry. Shorty.
At 5'1", I've been refered to in my adult life, by co-workers/bosses, as "shorty" and "little girl." I'm not the person you notice walking into the room. Going shopping with me and my girls is like playing hide and seek in the garment racks because we can't see over anything. I think grocery shelves are designed by giants. If I had a nickel for every time someone said "hey Susan, stand up! Oh, you are standing" I'd be rich. OK, make it a dollar and then I'd be rich. Still short but rich.
I'm not even the shortest in my family. Ahem. That claim rests with a certain sibling who shall remain nameless. Aloha, sister! My "little grandma" (great grandmother) was probably 4'11" in her prime but about 4'8" or so when she passed on. She was little.
Rachel is so proud to be taller than me. A whole half inch so far but taller. Kendra has been shooting up and we've all known she'd be taller than Rachel and I someday. So when they tease how they are or will be taller than mom, my response is always "good, I'm glad." Maybe they won't need step stools for half of their kitchen - I'm pretty good at hopping on counters too.
.
So why on earth do I need to get this off my chest when none of the references above ever really bother me?
It may sound somewhat self-pitying but - I'm tired of being overlooked! Wah!!!!!!!
A 6'+ man nearly ran me over in Peet's coffee yesterday. Just as he about stepped on me and ran his stomach into my hot cappucino, he realized "oh, sorry about that." This is just one of many, many incidences over the years. Not to mention how many people have actually stood in front of me in a line and then said "I'm sorry, I didn't see you" when I called their attention to it. This is after they've walked around me, not because they strolled in from the side.
I admit I've evolved into behaviours to prevent the lack of notice or avoid being run over. Moving around in line, making direct eye contact if possible, coughing discreetly and saying "excuse me" go a long way. Driving big Beastie cars is probably another compensating technique - no one can say they didn't see me on the road! Come to think of it, my sisters drive Beasts too.....
Yesterday's second incident happened in Target. What I thought was rudeness on the clerk's part was probably her misunderstanding of how long I had been there - because she didn't 'see' me. Kendra and I had just 3 items and all the lanes were long with no "15 items or less" aisles open. So we look for open lanes with lights on and choose to stand behind an older lady in what we hoped was a quick line.
The line was not quick. We waited and waited. Right as the clerk gets to the customer in front of the older lady she spots me and says "I'm sorry but my lane is closed. You need to check out somewhere else." I replied that the light had been on and we had been waiting for a while. She continued to say she would not help me as her light had been off. I said "no, your light was on and I've been waiting behind this nice lady for almost 10 minutes." She denied I had been standing there and then said "fine, I'll ring you up."
She didn't. I took my stuff to another register because I couldn't believe she was arguing with me and basically calling me a liar in front of everyone.
I realized as we went to the car, she probably didn't see me standing behind the older lady - because Kendra was beside me. And she looked confused when Kendra went with me and didn't stay with the older lady. Maybe she was having a bad day and just really needed her break which is understandable to a point. OK - she was still rude for arguing with a customer.
Whew - got that 'small' issue off my chest. Thank you for listening and considering my complaints.
I guess we don't really have time for the trauma caused by Randy Newman's release of "Short People" at the start of my 7th grade year. Really??? Seriously??? OMG!!!
:)
4 comments:
My son-in-law is 6'4". He makes fun of how short I am. (5'5"). I just look at him and say, "It's just a marvel how I've been able to manage all these years being this height." Sheesh. ;)
You are petite, and would fit in beautifully in Italy, I'm thinking. Good thing you are awesome at walking in platform and taller shoes, yes?
It pains me that someone was rude to you at Target, my favorite of all stores.
And the idea of someone almost wrecking your outfit and cappuccino in one foul swoop makes me downright agitated!
Which reminds me, time for coffee :)
I am only 5'1 too. :). I hear ya! :)
Not to worry, getting older will help. In the past I would step on the seat to get my bag in the overhead...now I merely glance up and some guy will bounce out of his seat and hoist it up...I guess being a "Senior Citizen" may have some perks besides half-price on the Metro. It is still bad manners to bowl over little old ladies!
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