I recently came across a page on a website which listed 16 problems with being short. They included the usual: not being able to get things off high shelves, being mistaken for someone's little sister, and so on. While being short has its disadvantages, I truly believe that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. For girls, anyway. :P
1. People think you're younger than you are
I've lost count of the number of times bartenders and bouncers have asked for my ID because they don't believe that I'm over 18. Worse, I was once almost kicked out of a bottle store because the owner thought I was 14. I was 19 at the time.
This may be a pain in the ass now, but it'll be a blessing when I'm older. My mom, who barely reaches 5"1, looks much, much younger than her current age (which I will not reveal because she will kill me :P ). So one day, while my friends are becoming wrinkly and ancient, I'll still look like a young spring chicken. Although maybe slightly less springy-er.
2. People pick you up ALL THE TIME.
I cannot stress this one enough because it happens far more than one would think. Especially when people are drunk. I have been carried across Somerset on two different occasions, as well as down New Street, through Friars' bottom bar, and across Pirates. Guys - especially the bigger ones - think it's hilarious to pick me up and toss me over their shoulder, or lift me under their arm like a little sack of potatoes. After a while, it gets old.
But on the bright side, it makes me feel small and delicate. I don't have to walk across/down the street. The guy gets to show off his muscles. Everybody wins :)
3. You're adorable.
Now this has always been my pet peeve, and close friends will know how much I hate the word 'cute'. Why? Because when you've spent the last two hours trying to make yourself look sexy as hell, it's very depressing to have someone pat you on the head and go "Awww, you're SO CUTE." Short people struggle to be sexy, because no one takes us seriously.
HOWEVER, this is possibly the biggest advantage. Why? Because we can never be ugly. Short people are always cute, regardless of how skinny they are or how attractive their faces are. We're a bit like puppies: even if it's a really ugly puppy, it's still adorable.
4. You can date guys of any size
There are no problems with this one. If you're a girl and you're only 5 feet tall, you can date pretty much anyone because EVERYONE is taller than you. The majority of guys (not all, admittedly) like to be taller than their girlfriends. And while there are certain practical difficulties with dating a guy who is a foot taller than you, it's not nearly as awkward as having to bend down to kiss your boyfriend. The guys I have dated range in height from the same height as me to about 6"4. And they all loved that I was short :)
(But I suppose if you like short guys, then trying to find a guy shorter than you would be problematic...)
5. You never have to duck.
Low-slung branches, small doorways, low roof beams...being short means never hitting your noggin on anything. Or rarely hitting it, at least.
6. You have a better sense of balance.
As you are short, you have a lower centre of gravity. Thus you are much better at balancing. (Note that I say 'you', not 'we'. I am the exception to the rule, and can fall over simply by trying to stand up on my toes.)
7. A shirt can be a shirt OR a dress
Like that button-up shirt in Mr Price? Buy a small and wear it with jeans! Buy a medium and wear it with tights! Buy a large and wear it with a belt and high heels. :P
8. Guys' clothes look cute on you.
In line with numbers 3 and 7, wearing a guy's oversized hoodie always looks adorable on you. Why? Because even if the guy is short, his hoodie is STILL oversized on you and makes you look small, adorable, and fragile.
Obviously I'm not trying to take a hit at tall girls here - I'd kill to be 5"9 with legs that go on for miles. But as height goes, I'm pretty happy being a short-ass. The view of the world is pretty good from down here. And of course, I've developed my own defence mechanisms. As many people have learned, if you pat me on the head I'll bite your fingers off.
