Many people think the perfect man is tall, dark and handsome. Being tall is definitely an advantage in the world in so many ways, but as with many things that have advantages, there are disadvantages.
We spoke with a few tall men about the downsides to being tall and here’s what they had to say.
1. Femi, 26
I’m a tall skinny man so finding clothes my size is always a hassle. I only get nice clothes once in a while. Most of it is by luck. Another potential downside is, if there’s a sniper in the vicinity, my head will be the first to go. Also, people are always asking me to help change their bulbs or the batteries in their wall clocks. And then there’s public transport. Public transport is very stressful because you hardly get any legroom. See, the problem is plenty.
2. Lawal, 22
For me, it’s doors and staircases. You can just be walking and next thing, you’ll hear “Gbom”. I thought I would be used to it by now, but you never get used to something like that. I’m 6’5″, and many door frames are about 7 feet tall. There is usually no warning.
It’s also rare for me to see the beauties of the world in the same way short men do. An example is women. Short women are beautiful but I’ve got an aerial view, and those curves are nowhere to be found if they’re too close. Every form of public transportation is also a problem.
You know what? Now that I’m thinking about all of this, I genuinely wish I was short.
3. Ehis, 23
I hate the fact that the first question people always ask me is “Why are you not playing Basketball?” Nobody even asks “Have you tried having a career in Basketball?” They just assume that since I’m tall, I must be good at the sport.
Another thing is that I look really awkward when I dance. It’s really sad, because I like dancing. Also I bump my head in many places. Thing is, you don’t even know that you’re about to bump your head, but you’ll just hear “Gbam”.
Just like short people, there’s so many jokes about tall people too, even though they’re not funny. People just want to say things and laugh. It’s irritating.
4. Eric, 19
The first thing for me is that I can’t show too much emotion, or people just assume I’m weak. People just say stuff like “Ahnahn, are you not a man?” or “As tall as you are.” I’m perceived as this impenetrable force because of my height and If I don’t fit that description, I’m seen as less of a man.
5. Dayo, 25
One downside to being tall is that you cannot fit anywhere. Beds are too small, and buses are a curse.
I feel like the only thing people see when they look at me is my height. Like, “I’m also a very funny person, why is it only my height you see?”
Then there’s the jokes. Oh my God, I can’t stand the jokes. “HoW iS tHe wEaThER uP ThErE?”… please can you shut up? I also don’t like the errands, to be bonest. People say “Come and help me get this thing” and I’m like “Why is it up there in the first place?” And then when I can’t reach something, people begin to laugh at me. I’m like “You can’t reach it too, please shut up.”
One more thing, meeting someone taller than me really hurts my ego.
6. Dave, 26
I can’t hide. I can’t dance with so many people. I can’t be comfortable on most seats. I can’t be comfortable in most buses, planes and trains. I attract attention to myself by default.
7. Freeman, 22
I have to be extra careful when doing loads of stuff like taking off my shirts because of the fan. I’ve had a finger fractured before because of the fan. Then most short people are sceptical of taking pictures with me or even walking with me because they somehow feel inferior.
I don’t enjoy dancing at parties. Especially with women.
