Raqui is a writer, poet, speaker, activist and much more (i.e. LargeinCharge)

They say you should never judge a book by its cover. I truly feel that the same goes for a person. You can never observe one moment in a persons life, and believe that is all they are. There are many pages to a book and many pages to a person, pages where they write their history. They create their book of life by the actions they take and the deeds that they do. The experiences and challenges they go through set a mold and it is the person who decides what form the mold will take.

My name is Raqui and I am known to many people in life and across the internet for many different reasons. For every person who thinks they know what I am about, this site is going to surprise you. I am about to introduce you to another page in the book of Raqui. Through these pages you will find out the many Dimensions that make me the woman I am today and the woman I will become tomorrow. These are my pages in the book of my life.

There is nothing in my life that I regret, I have never done anything that I am ashamed of. So I am laying it on the line and giving all those who are interested in working with me the real story behind my persona and what I have done through out my years to advance into the person I am today.

I hope you enjoy your journey into the world of Raqui.

Visit her website

Q: I'm a tall woman. Really tall. Tall enough to be a supermodel (though I don't have the wide eyes and cheekbones), and tall enough to be on the Australian women's volleyball team (if only I were coordinated). I've always found it difficult to meet guys who are as tall as or taller than me, so I've given up and now rather fancy short guys. I find I'm not attracted to anyone over about 5 foot 5 (which is even shorter than Rove). But these guys don't want a bar of me - they're much more inclined to look in the petite section of RSVP. I find it so infuriating. How can I convince these little cuties to look past my towering height and give me a chance?

HELP! Tall Girl

A: Towering beauties have entranced some of the world's cutest short-statured men. Don't believe me? Take movie mogul Tom Cruise (5'7) and Katie Holmes (5'9); Brit music star Jamie Callum (5'4) and Sophie Dahl (6'0) and French President Nicolas Sarkozy (5'5) and Carla Bruni (5'9). These men don't mind looking up to their women, but all have something in common - confidence by the bucketload and successful careers of their own. That's your ticket to finding love with a sexy jockey/rowing coxswain or gymnast. They need to be so self-possessed and secure that they don't give two hoots about having their gal sling an arm around them for a photo opp - or be better at changing light bulbs, for that matter.

My advice to finding your mini Prince Charming? Start targeting smaller men with a swagger. Don't hide your height on online dating forums either - advertise your supermodel stature. Where it asks for your vital stats type in: "I have legs that won't quit, won't be overlooked at the bar and can always be spotted across a crowded rooom." Upload a photo that emphasises your willowyness. After all - tall is super-sexy.

Joerge sure thinks so - he set up a website celebrating the gorgeousness of tall women like Geena Davis, Brooke Shields and Uma Thurman (all 6 footers). Check it out for a total confidence boost at Tallwomen.org.

Oh, and while you're at it, have you heard about the aptly named Alexis Skye? At 6'4, she's got size 13 feet, can't slam dunk and once made up a name tag that said "Yes, I'm 6'4" so she could get on with her job at a local diner without the nightly barrage of questions. See - tall ladies are infinitely fascinating. Now, she's making a packet having fun with her height and making men drool all over the world - shorties included!

Love, reality chick

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Meet the Women of My Giant Life

posted: 07/08/15
by: Rebecca Goldberg

COLLEEN a.k.a. COCO - San Diego

At six feet six inches tall, Colleen is not an average single gal playing the field. The 36-year-old, former pro-volleyball player is on the hunt for a man - someone between Mr. Right and Mr. Right Now - with the assistance of her best friends, Chris and Michael. She also faces the struggles of moving home to San Diego, settling into her new apartment, and tricking it out with the "tall hacks" that she uses to customize her space.

HALEIGH - Huntington Beach, California

23-year-old Haleigh stands at six feet seven inches tall and has a world of possibilities at her fingertips: a professional volleyball career that will take her around the globe, a master's degree, and all the promise that comes from being young and talented. Her much shorter, 32-year-old boyfriend, Bryan, is ready to settle down and have a handful of kids, but Haleigh's father is worried that he's going to slow his daughter down.

NANCY - Cypress, Texas

At a staggering six feet nine inches tall, Nancy is anything but an average American high school student. She is going through the rites of passage of being a teenage girl: learning to drive, finding a date to prom and then selecting the perfect dress, but none of those are easy when you're seventeen and so much taller than your classmates. Nancy learns how to rise to the challenge of being exceptional as she figures out how to navigate life as a rising basketball superstar.

LINDSAY - Los Angeles

Statuesque and striving to make a name for herself, Lindsay stands out from any crowd at six feet nine inches tall. The actress and former wrestler is the Guinness World Record holder for the Tallest Actress in a Leading Role. She gets her height from her father, but she hasn't seen him since she was 11-years-old. Ready to put the demons of her past to rest and move on, Lindsay is on a quest to locate her father and ask him why he left her all those years ago.

Read the full article on the TLC website

I have been tall all my life....I reached my current height of 6'4" when I was 11 years old and in elementary school. I have also been BBW for most of my life (as far as I can remember, I have always been a double digit dress size), so I have had quite awhile to get used to my size and stature. Some things have changed over the years and decades, most notably fashion and clothing for women of height. I remember in elementary and junior high school having to wear men's shirts so the sleeves would be long enough and keeping them buttoned all the time so no could tell it was a man's shirt. I remember too short pants and my mom treating me to the one tall specialty shop in DC once a year for dresses and skirts. Today, plus size stores such as Torrid, Avenue, and Lane Bryant are catering to women who are not only blessed with extra curves but those with extra height.

One thing that has not changed is the dating game but I have to say regardless of height, weight, age or race...all women find themselves in the same boat. I live in Washington, DC...land of men who are shallow and/or shy....they tend to measure their masculinity and worth in inches (height and "other places") and judge women by their numbers (weight and dress size), so the more above average a woman is, the more unique her challenges. I am constantly asked two questions (usually back to back): how tall are you, which I find completely unoriginal and a little invasive. What if I asked every short man I met how tall he is? They would not take it very well, but I find myself asking men taller than me how tall they are. I tell them it is rare to find a man taller than me, which it is. Maybe I am the pot calling the kettle black. The second question is: did you ever play basketball, which I find discriminatory and restricting. Is that all tall girls are capable of or supposed to do? Besides, look at me...do I LOOK like playing sports has ever been a part of my lifestyle? However, my standard answer is I have always been more academic than athletic.

I find that with my height, there is no shortage of men who are interested in me, but these men can placed in one of three categories: fetish seekers who view me as an object instead of a person; the ones with inadequacy issues who wonder if they can "handle" me and the guys who view me as a regular person. The guys in the last category are far and few between and tend to friendzone me. The fetish seekers are the worst. I get endless questions and comments about my height, who's the tallest guy I ever dated, who's the shortest, do I wear heels, so I know how tall I would be if I wore heels, what size are my feet...and the list goes on. Conversations with these men are painful and dates are impossible.

The inadequate men always have questions about their manhood, which is surprising to me as they like to ask those questions before even asking my name. I tend to cut those men off at the pass VERY quickly but ended up inadvertently not only dating one, but falling in love with him. That did not end well (he married someone else who was shorter than he was) but I really should have seen it coming : he kept telling me I needed someone younger, taller, more...everything. And last but not least are the regular guys...they tend to be shorter also, but they are more confident in themselves and realize that this is not a one size fits all world. They see my intelligence and personality and are genuinely interested in who I am and how I am doing versus asking me how the air is up here. Unfortunately, they are usually already taken which keeps our friendship a friendship, we are not attracted to each other "that way" or they are as damaged goods as I am if not more so.

Usually, I have always dated men shorter than I...I have dated two men my height and it is wonderful to be able to look someone in the eye standing up. Unfortunately, tall men tend to go for short women, which leaves my end of the scale a bit unbalanced. Although, the little man (seriously, he was a midget) was a little too far on the wrong end of the scale for me to even contemplate. It is hard being a tree in a sea of shrubs...it takes me a minute to realize how tall I am because for me...it feels "normal", whatever that is. It is hard to know how I come across to men because I am such a girly girl and tend to dress and be very feminine so I wonder why in the world they are intimidated. However, I have had years to adjust to my height; I tend to forget that people who just meet me have not.
But like most single women of any age, race and size...I am somewhat hopeful that there will be a man out there who not only will welcome the challenge of a tall woman but will happily meet and conquer them.

I hope you enjoyed my post...if you would care to find out more about me or read more of my work, please feel free to check out my blog. Thanks for reading!

Visit my blog

RTD food columnist took a break from topic to take up fashion debate with popular syndicated columnist Erma Bombeck in 1976

Nicole Kappatos

Erma Bombeck was a columnist who wrote about suburban home life from the mid-1960s to the 1990s. Bombeck authored thousands of newspaper columns, often with a sense of humor, chronicling the life of an ordinary suburban housewife. She had millions of readers in the U.S. and Canada.

In September 1976, Times-Dispatch food columnist Nancy Finch received a newspaper clipping in the mail from her mother who lived in Lakeland, Florida. The clip was an Erma Bombeck column about the problems short women faced buying clothes. Bombeck closed the column saying “I am well aware…that tall girls have their problems…but if they want to complain, they’re going to have to get their own column.”

Finch, a tall woman, was up for the challenge. She used her column space, normally focused on discussing food, to challenge Bombeck on the equally frustrating fashion issues faced by tall women.
 
Here is what Finch had to say:

Dear Erma,

I am 5 feet, 10 inches tall and I have my own column, thank you—even if it is supposed to be about food. But I can’t let your challenge go by. So hemlines have dropped and all five feet two of you is tripping over them. I’m not the least bit sympathetic.

I’ve been going around looking like a majorette for the past 10 years or since whenever the mini struck. While you’re just now having to start taking them up—I’ve been letting them down, forever.

It all started back when I was a junior bridesmaid at age 12 and I was taller than the bride, the bridegroom and all the ushers.

While everyone else wears long sleeves, I’ve been wearing “bracelet length.” Salesladies have been assuring me it was the “latest” for 25 years.

Mrs. Bombeck, you have tangled with the wrong tall tiger.

Have you ever tried wearing panty hose with the waistband around your knees? Did you ever have a date tell you he just loved dancing “cheek to chest” with you?

Did you know that clothing manufacturers think there is no such thing as a tall pregnant woman? Can you imagine wearing a sheet for nine months with armholes and a headhole cut in it?

While you can’t find your feet, the hems have finally hit my knees and I am doomed forever to looking like something out of a vintage Sears catalog.

Have you ever looked at a 21-inch baby daughter and wondered what hath you and your 6 feet 4 husband wrought?

I won’t even go into the rest. Undoubtedly you wear a size 5 shoe and couldn’t possibly know what it’s like to be directed to the men’s department when you ask a shoe salesman if he carried size 11 ½.

You are quite right there is an existing population on this earth that is short. And it is the majority.

It has us bumping our heads on car doors, because hunch-back from bending over to chop onions and brush our teeth, scrunching up in bathtubs made for pygmies and generally suffering all sorts of abuse and indignities.

Now that we have finished with women, senior citizens and children’s lib, I have one hope, TALL LIBERATION.

Nancy Kissinger, stop standing there towering over Henry. We need you!

NOTE: Nancy Kissinger was the wife of then-U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. She was about six feet tall and Henry was 5 feet 4 inches.

Bombeck never responded to Finch’s column. Finch recently shared that in response to her column she had an outpouring of gratitude from fellow tall women in the Richmond area.

The Virginia Repertory Theater will debut “Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End” at the Hanover Tavern, a comedic one-woman show about the well known columnist. The show will run from March 2-April 8, 2018.

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‘Running Man’ Star Kim Jong Kook Receives Backlash From ‘Tall Women’ Comment, Sparks Netizen Debate Over Alleged Sexist Statement

by RG Ferrer / May 02, 2017 05:33 AM EDT

The recent episode of "Running Man" gave viewers a glimpse at the physical attributes of Kim Jong Kook's ideal woman. However, the South Korean musician's "tall women" comment offended several netizens who claimed that it was a sexist remark.

"Running Man" viewers were surprised when Kim Jong Kook shared his opinion over the attractiveness of short ladies versus tall women. Aired on April 30, Sunday, the said cast member mentioned how men would usually prefer to date women who were not tall. The statement was made in response to guest star Sistar's Hyorin comment where she lamented over her short height.

Kim Jong Kook explained that he personally would want to date someone whose height is similar to Sistar's Hyorin. The "Running Man" cast member went on to indicate that he does not consider a lady with a tall stature as a "woman."

Given the Turbo alum's comments, several "Running Man" viewers expressed their disappointment over Kim Jong Kook's statements. Describing the comment as sexist and discriminatory, netizens slammed the singer for his insensitive remarks, All Kpop reported.

However, several netizens also conveyed support for the "Running Man" cast member. Defending the musician online, supporters explained how the singer only shared his personal preference and ideal type without any intention to degrade tall women. Some netizens even highlighted that it must be difficult for celebrities such as Kim Jong Kook at having to deal with "trivial" matters such as a misconstrued statement.

In other news, Kim Jong Kook's fellow "Running Man" cast members Song Ji Hyo, Haha and Yang Se Chan were sent on a foodie mission in Taiwan in the same episode. Part of the show's global challenge, the said three cast members were tasked to consume some of Taiwan's famous local delicacies such as stinky tofu and duck blood.

Song Ji Hyo impressed her teammates when she took a bite of the duck blood dish and even slurped some of the stinky tofu soup, Soompi reported. However, the "Running Man" ace balked after eating a piece of the stinky tofu given its pungent smell.

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HIGH HOPES: Russian woman who’s 6ft 9in with 52.4in legs aiming to be crowned ‘world’s tallest model’… and she wears size 12 shoes

Ekaterina Lisina, 29, is popular with men who are attracted to taller women and those with larger feet

By Lauren Windle 29th June 2017, 12:45 pmUpdated: 29th June 2017, 2:58 pm

FORMER professional basketball player Ekaterina Lisina has a new target in her sights – being named the world’s tallest model.

Standing at 6ft 9in in her bare feet, Ekaterina, from Russia, has already been officially named the tallest woman in Russia.

After she retired from basketball, the leggy beauty launched a career in modelling and believes she is now the world’s tallest model.

Ekaterina said: “The record is held at the moment by Amazon Eve and she is 6ft 8in, which is smaller than me.

“I really want to be in the book of world records as the world’s tallest model. I also think I have a chance to be awarded the world’s longest legs. My legs are around 52.4 inches, which is longer than the current record holder”.

The 29-year-old’s striking height has drawn her fans from all over the world – many of them men with a particular interest in taller “Amazonian” women or women with big feet.

Ekaterina doesn’t just count her lengthy legs among her achievements but she has also been officially recognised as having the biggest feet of any woman in Russia with a European size 47, or a UK size 12.

She said: “I do like the attention and I hope after I get the title I am going to get even more attention!”

“I think my long legs can definitely help my modelling career because there aren’t so many models with such long legs.”

Ekaterina’s 52.4 inch pins also propelled her to great success as a professional basketball player.

At the age of 16, Ekaterina had to choose between pursuing her dreams of becoming a model and playing basketball. Already on the path to success with basketball, she chose the sport, putting her catwalk dreams on hold.

She explained: “I wanted to be a model since I was 16-years-old but at that time I started my professional basketball career.

“Basically I had to choose between modelling and basketball and of course there was no question because with basketball I had talent.”

As part of her successful career Ekaterina represented the Russia women’s team at the 2008 Olympics, where together they won Olympic bronze.

Given that Ekaterina’s parents were tall – her father is 6ft 5in and her mother 6ft 1in – Ekaterina was always expected to reach great heights.

Her father Viktor Lisin reveals that they noticed from birth that their daughter was a lot taller than average.

He said: “When we were picking her up from the hospital we noticed right away that her legs were really long and her body mainly consisted of them.”

Ekaterina’s older brother Sergei Lisina, who himself measures 6ft 6in (2 metres), recalls his not-so-little sister being picked on by other kids at school.

He said: “I remember she was bullied a few times at school because she was the tallest and I had to show up there a couple of times.

“She realised quite quickly that it gives her a huge advantage in a specific type of sport which she started doing professionally almost straight away.

“So I don’t think it was too uncomfortable for her. Also, because all of our family members are tall, not many of us felt uncomfortable about this fact.

“On the contrary, I think being tall is awesome, no doubts about that. If I had an option of adding on about four or five centimetres to my height I’d certainly agree to do that.”

But growing up, Ekaterina did find shopping for clothes a struggle.

She said: “It was very difficult for me to buy clothes and I knew I was different.

“I only really realised I was attractive when I was about 24 years old. I always had an athletic body and was always much taller than everyone else my age.

“But then I realised that being tall is very attractive and that I got a lots of attention from men. I am so comfortable with my body now.”

The single mother of one says that carrying her son, who’s now six-years-old, made her love and appreciate her body like never before.

She said: “I think during pregnancy I developed curves and I started to feel so great about it.

“Before that, I always felt like I had a teenager’s body but now I feel so feminine and confident.

“I feel really comfortable in my body right now and I don’t have any problems being taller than everyone else. I love it.”

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“Sarah loves to dream and Plus size modelling was a part of that dream. Sarah is a professional plus size model, blogger, beauty diversity advocate and public speaker. Her passion is to help women see their true beauty regardless of their weight. Sarah’s personal story of beauty for ashes is at the core of her journey for helping women discover their magnificence and excel from within.

Sarah openly shares her journey of surviving abuse, self-hatred and sadness to thriving in a place of joy and self-love to give other women hope that they too can overcome anything and see beauty in themselves.

On June 30th, she was crowned Miss Plus Canada 2014 in Toronto, Ontario. Sarah was also awarded People’s Choice and the Talent Award where she shared her journey from abuse, self-hatred and sadness to a place of joy and self-love.

The couple of years have been full of exciting events, modelling, appearances, speaking engagements and encouraging others to love themselves, just the way they are. She has also ripped the runway in several local and international shows including Full Figured Fashion Week, Montreal Plus Fashion week, and Caribbean Plus Fashion Week.

Giving back is important for Sarah because in her darkest hour, the love and support from those around her helped her to see her true worth and push her forward.

Sarah lives in Toronto, Ontario and currently works in the non profit sector at Frontstream – a software company that works with non profits who fundraise online. Sarah is passionate about working with some of North America’s top charities as they develop their online strategy and implementation plans to grow their fundraising efforts.

She also volunteers at WINGS Maternity Home in Ajax as the Executive Assistant, Event & Fundraising Manger and as a mentor to the young moms who live in the home as well as the 50 community moms WINGS supports. WINGS is a very big part of Sarah’s life and considers it her second home. Be sure to check out the W.I.N.G.S. Maternity Home Website for more information about what they do (www.wingsmaternityhome.com). Please consider making a donation to this amazing cause!

Although Sarah models fashion, her heart’s desire is to be a woman clothed with strength and dignity and laugh at the future with no fear – no fear of what if’s and what next.”

Visit her website

Älter werden…

Ich werde dieses Jahr 30! Also genau der richtige Zeitpunkt, um über das Thema Alter nachzudenken. Man ist so alt wie man sich fühlt?! Oder wie war das? Na ja leicht gesagt, aber in der Realität oft anders. Ältere Frauen in peinlich kurzen Gürteln als Rock oder Kinder in sexy Outfits, das passt einfach nicht.

Siezen? Duzen?

Woran merkt man, dass man richtig erwachsen ist? Wenn man auf einmal von Jugendlichen und Kindern draußen gesiezt wird. Am Anfang seltsam und eher einem Affront nahekommend, ertappe ich mich jetzt sogar manchmal - je nach Situation - bei dem Gedanken „Wie unhöflich!“, wenn mich ein vorlauter Teenager einfach duzt. Dabei bin ich von Natur aus eher der Duzer - allein schon durch das Internet und die ganzen Social Media, da ist das oft üblich.

Ich finde sowieso, dass man sich je nach Situation auch unterschiedlich alt fühlen kann. Es kommt halt immer auf die Leute und die Umgebung an. Seit ich selbständig bin, ist es mit dem „nicht-so-erwachsen-fühlen“ schlagartig vorbei. Bei mir ist es das Schuhbaby, bei anderen das richtige Baby. Plötzlich hat man Verantwortung, die man zuvor in dieser Schlagkraft nicht hatte. Dennoch kommt der "Ach, ich bin doch noch gar nicht so alt“-Gedanke immer mal wieder kurz zum Vorschein. Wenn ich mit meinen jüngeren - oft noch Studenten - Freunden unterwegs bin zum Beispiel. Da gehöre ich ganz normal dazu und bin für einen Augenblick wieder ein bisschen zurückgesetzt in alte Zeiten. Das man das überhaupt schon so sagen kann. „Alte Zeiten…“

Früher war das mit dem Alter eh noch etwas ganz anderes. Da freut man sich und ist stolz auf jedes Jahr, das man älter wird. Wenn man dann aus den Wachstums- und Entwicklungsjahren raus ist, denkt man sich „Waaas? Schon wieder ein Jahr um?“. Panik.

Wie schnell die Zeit vergeht...

Als kleines Kind wollte ich den Erwachsenen nie glauben, dass die Zeit später schneller vorbeizugehen scheint. Aber sie hatten Recht, von Jahr zu Jahr geht die Zeit gefühlt schneller um. Klar, Kinder erleben viel intensiver, lernen noch viel und entwickeln sich - da kommt einem alles langsamer vor. Wir dagegen nehmen so viel auf einmal wahr und denken in ganz anderen Zeiteinheiten. Manchmal sollte man sich vielleicht doch noch einmal ein Beispiel an den Kindern nehmen, entschleunigen, Zeit anders wahrnehmen und einfach mal einen Tag die Käfer beobachten oder so. Könnte mir auch nicht schaden.

Wir Selbständigen haben ja in der Regel eines nicht: Zeit. Und trotzdem jede Menge zu tun und Termine über Termine. Und weil es noch nicht genug ist, nimmt man sich noch ein paar Projekte dazu. Wie zum Beispiel Blogbeiträge zu schreiben. Hihi, verrückt. Statt Käfer zu beobachten, könnte ich vielleicht auch einfach mal wieder ein bisschen drauflos malen. Das macht mir nämlich auch Spaß, schon immer. Auch als ich jünger war.

Ach, jaaa. Damals, als man als großes Mädchen einfach immer für älter und verantwortungsbewusster als gleichaltrige, kleinere gehalten und auch so behandelt wurde. Als man als Kleinkind von Erwachsenen diskriminiert und blöd angemacht worden ist. Weil man noch auf Mamas Arm war oder einen Schnuller im Mund hatte. Als man bei Spielen bei Stadt-, Kirchen- und Siedlungsfesten von Erwachsenen angemeckert und des Lügens bezichtigt wurde, weil man angeblich schon älter war und deswegen verschärftere Regeln gelten würden. Als man beim Kindergartenfest als Einzige nicht im Zirkuskarussell aus kleinen Schubkarren mitfahren durfte, weil man schon zu groß sei. Als Leistungen und Vernunft immer erwartet und als selbstverständlich angesehen worden sind und man im Gegensatz zu den Kleineren nicht dauernd gelobt worden ist. Als die Kleineren aufgrund des Niedlichkeitsfaktors bevorzugt und teilweise für gleiche Leistungen besser benotet worden sind. Klein und niedlich, das ist wie bei Katzenbabies oder Hundewelpen. Das weckt den Beschützer- und Helferinstinkt.

Mit zwölf wurde ich schon gesiezt

Es wird automatisch versucht, es den Kleinen einfacher zu machen und sie zu bestärken. Die Größeren, die eh schon durch ihre Andersartigkeit aus der Masse stechen, könnten das aber auch mal ganz gut gebrauchen. Zumal diese doch in der Regel vor allem im Jugendalter bedeutend zurückhaltender und sanfter sind - ich wurde ja mal als Schaf im Wolfspelz bezeichnet. Und bin oft wegen meiner zurückhaltenden Art (man denkt ja, als Große sticht man eh immer so hervor, ob man es will oder nicht) eher übersehen worden.

Die Kleinen dagegen drängen sich manchmal gerne in den Mittelpunkt, damit sie eben nicht übersehen werden. Das ist ein bisschen wie bei den kleinen, wild bellenden Hunden. Aber es gab natürlich auch lustige Seiten: Als ich mit zwölf im Restaurant gesiezt wurde und mir ein Schnaps nach dem Essen angeboten wurde und sich mein älterer Bruder “Und du? Willst du einen Lutscher?“ anhören durfte. Ich lache noch heute darüber. Damals, als man einfach nie nach einem Ausweis gefragt worden ist. Nirgendwo. Während kleinere Mädchen es oft hassten, mit 18 noch ausgepickt und nach dem Ausweis gefragt zu werden, fand ich das ganz witzig. Underage-Stempel gab es für mich nicht.

Als ich Anfang oder Mitte zwanzig war, kam dann der plötzliche Umschwung. Auf einmal hielten mich alle für jünger! Crazy. Kannte ich so gar nicht. Und ich musste das allererste Mal meinen Ausweis in einer Bar zeigen - für ein Bier! Ich habe mich kaputt gelacht. Und so ging es weiter. Meistens hält man mich für Mitte zwanzig. Bei Businesstreffen ist das eher andersherum - die meisten gehen nicht davon aus, dass man sich so jung schon selbständig macht. Im Schnitt bin ich dann also wieder so alt, wie ich wirklich bin. Prima, dann passt es doch!

Ich finde es aber teilweise auch schwierig, das Alter abzuschätzen. Je nach Sonnenbank- und/oder Schminkstand und Umgebung kann man sich da schon einmal vertun. Und wenn ältere Menschen versuchen einen auf „jung“ zu machen, geht das oft eher nach hinten los. Ich halte auch nichts von diesem Jungend- und Schönheitswahn. Schrecklich, wenn diese operierten Gesichter alle ähnlich gruselig verzerrt und ohne richtige Mimik sind. Ich finde ja Lachfältchen bei vielen ganz bezaubernd. Das gibt dem Gesicht so einen sympathischen Ausdruck. Falten zeigen einfach wer wir sind und was wir erlebt haben. Und ich sage ja auch immer „Lieber alt werden, als früh sterben“. Veränderungen gehören da nun einmal dazu.

…aaah, ich muss mal eben in die Drogerie flitzen! Ich habe eben eine neue, krasse „bald-bist-du-30-Falte“ entdeckt… Vielleicht sollte ich so eine Hy-aal-o-glatt-Creme oder wie die heißen doch mal ausprobieren! ;)

6'1 1/2" Sarah is the owner of Schuhe Grossartig, a German footwear company dedicated to women with larger feet.

Visit the Schuhe Grossartig website

Big girl, you are beautiful…

Weihnachtszeit ist Essens- und somit Kilozeit. Sprich, man ist froh über kaschierende XL-Pullis, lange streckende Strickjacken und bauschige Mäntel. Herrlich, einfach wild drauflosfuttern, was das Zeug hält und die Zeit mit Lebkuchen, Weihnachtsplätzchen, Adventskalenderschokolade und Glühwein genießen.

Ich kann nicht mehr richtig atmen...

Aber von wegen, Pustekuchen. Mein supertoller streckender Mantel geht fast nicht mehr zu. Und es ist erst Anfang Dezember. Schock. Alarmstufe rot. Mein Kleiderschranksortiment enthält generell ein breites Größenspektrum, denn Frau schwankt gewichtsmäßig. Viele kennen das. Aber wenn die größten Sachen, die man hat, so richtig eng sitzen und man sich weder traut tief ein- noch auszuatmen und man sich in diesen nicht mehr so ganz wohl fühlt, dann ist es höchste Zeit die Reißleine zu ziehen und etwas zu tun. Denn nackt herumlaufen ist auch keine Lösung. Back to nature ist in diesem Fall nichts für mich.

Als 1,60 Meter großer Mensch schnappst du dir einfach eine Kleidergröße größer. Sitzt, passt, wackelt, hat Luft, weiter geht es. Als große Frau, die sich generell schon am Rande des normalen Größenspektrums bewegt, gestaltet sich das Ganze etwas komplizierter. Spezialläden für Dicke oder Curvy Girls bieten leider selbst heutzutage eher das Modell bunter Sack an. So zumindest meine Erfahrungen. Wenn ich mir aber was Weites, Untailliertes, was auch noch zu kurz ist anziehe, kaschiert das nix, sondern macht mich zur unförmigen Tonne. Von curvy siehste da nichts mehr. Das ist also alles Mist.

Am besten ist es natürlich, es erst gar nicht so weit kommen zu lassen. Aber was willst du machen, wenn du nicht als langbeiniges Topmodel, sondern als kräftiges Curvy Girl mit Veranlagung zum Overcurvy Girl und Liebe zum Essen geboren worden bist? Ich kann echt einfach immer essen. Ob es mir gut geht oder schlecht. Man kann mich mit Essen sogar richtig glücklich machen. Das ist schon fast ein bisschen krank. Aber Hallo?! Lecker essen?! Was für ein Genuss! Ja, wie bei allen Sachen, kommt es natürlich auf die Menge an. Das hat momentan leider etwas Überhand genommen –Stress und so, Ihr kennt das. Deswegen kommt man dann leider auch nicht mehr zum Sport.

Gut, dass es Fitnessstudios gibt!

Gut, dass man im Fitnessstudio angemeldet ist. Die Geräte freuen sich auch so richtig, wenn sie endlich mal jemand verschont und fernbleibt… Zack, bist du im Teufelskreis drin! Aber nicht mit mir. Ich habe die Reißleine gezogen! Essen ist keine Lösung. Essen ist keine Lösung. Essen ist keine Lösung. Und Sport ist kein Mord!

Der Plan: Wieder „nur“ drei ordentliche Mahlzeiten am Tag, nichts zwischendurch und möglichst wenig Kohlehydrate abends. Ist natürlich zu dieser Jahreszeit besonders schwierig. Deswegen hatte ich nach ersten Erfolgen auch schon wieder einen Mega-Rückfall. Wenn es mit dem Weglassen des „Zwischendurchgeknuspers“ schon nicht klappt, wäre regelmäßiger Sport ja immerhin ein Anfang. Aber das ist natürlich gar nicht so einfach mit all den Terminen. Und der Überwindung. Egal, wir haben schon ganz was anderes geschafft. Also, auf in die Muckibude zum Hulken. She-Hulk, ich komme! Naja, demnächst irgendwann zumindest.

Wenn das an den Geräten wenigstens richtig Spaß machen würde. So wie Tischtennis oder Handball oder Volleyball. Ihr seht schon, ich entspreche dem „Große-Menschen-Klischee“ und mag Ballsportarten. Aber entgegen der Frage, die immer alle große Menschen zu hören bekommen, habe ich noch nie Basketball im Verein gespielt. Damals, damals als ich noch jung war, habe ich Tischtennis gespielt, kurz parallel Volleyball und nachher Handball. Als ich mein Studienjahr in Spanien war, war ich sogar mit lauter kleinen Spanierinnen im Uniauswahlteam. Das ist alles Sport, der richtig Spaß macht! Tja, leider ging dann erst das Knie kaputt, dann der Rücken und schließlich die Schulter. Für so ein lädiertes Ding fallen dann die coolen Sportarten also leider weg. Und dieses bissl Gymnastik, was man immer macht, kann man ja nicht als Sport zählen.

Also, auf in die Muckibude

Tanzen macht mir ansonsten noch Spaß, schön zur Musik auspowern! Heftige Sprunggeschichten und so lässt man dann halt einfach weg. Leider sind solche Kurse oft etwas zu früh für im Einzelhandel arbeitende Menschen und als Selbstständige fehlt mir da auch einfach die benötigte terminliche Flexibilität.

Mir bleibt also nur das Hulken in der Muckibude.

Apropros -kennt Ihr das, wenn Ihr Euch zwischen all den gestylten, zwei Köpfen kleineren Trainingshäschen wie ein Fremdkörper vorkommt? Wie jemand, der verrückterweise wirklich nur zum Sport herkommt und nicht zum Flirten oder Muskelpakete aufreißen? Wie jemand, der aus diesem Grund auch ungeschminkt in Sportbuchse mit langem Schlabbershirt drüber erscheint? Ich kenne das nur zu gut! Und Mädels, macht mal Eure Haare zusammen! Sport mit offenen Haaren geht gar nicht. Das finde ich auch immer in Action-Filmen so witzig. Die Heldin turnt und kämpft da immer mit offenen Haaren und meistert alles perfekt. Dabei stören offene Haare total – sie schränken das Sichtfeld ein, sind immer im Weg und können leicht irgendwo hängenbleiben. Mal davon abgesehen, wie verdammt warm das mit offenen Haaren ist. Schwitz... Also wenn Ihr mal auf der Flucht seid, denkt immer an ein Haargummi.

Die Trainingshäschen-Ausrede kann ich auf jeden Fall nicht mehr verwenden, in meinem aktuellen Studio sind zu meinen Zeiten eher ältere Leute da. Herrlich, ich sage es Euch. Alles total entspannt. Da fallen mir meine Größe und meine unstylishe, etwas zu kurze Trainingshose gar nicht mehr so auf.

Ihr seht schon, ich kriege das hin. Anfang des Jahres bin ich wieder voll in Form. Und bis dahin tänzele ich einfach noch eine Runde weiter zu Mikas "Big girl, you are beautiful".

6'1 1/2" Sarah is the owner of Schuhe Grossartig, a German footwear company dedicated to women with larger feet.

Visit the Schuhe Grossartig website

"Helena has always avoid wearing high heels because everybody told her that she was too tall anyway. Then she tried on a pair of Louboutins and doesn't want to take them off". I found this quote on Facebook and shared it immediately because I could sympathise.

I know this from my youth

Somehow it reminds me of my past... and it reminds me of other tall gals und women I know. I noticed that I am not the only one because there was a lot of agreement. It's probably got something to do the fact that a lot of tall women were lacking self-confidence when they were young... and some are still lacking it today and are not at peace with their height. Why is that so? What can I say? When you as a child are approached aggressively by adults who claim you are too old to be in Mum's arms... or are generally treated like a much older child you suffer to a degree. It's not productive.

When you are taller than your teacher at elementary school and your feet are big enough for you to wear Mum's shoes it's party funny - but not all the time. Tall always meant that you had to behave "older", more sensible, more grown up. Teacher's treated what your achievements as not worth mentioning whereas the smaller, cuter kids enjoyed all kinds of protection and received a lot of praise.

Clothing - a pain in the backside

When you are tall you stand out. Especially when you are surrounded by short and tender people - and you feel it even more. Don't get me started on boys. They often just reached your belly button and because of societal norms you rarely felt at ease around shorter guys. Another important factor that makes life difficult for tall girls is the fashion industry. Every woman knows what it's like to wear something beautiful and sexy. She feels desirable, beautiful and, of course confident. I know it's not only tall women who have problems finding clothes that fit but pants that are too short can't be easily lengthened and the "I'm a little too cuddly here" or "too small there" problems others have just add to the dilemma.

I'm really pleased that tops have become longer (especially the sleeves). Even when shorter clothes were fashionable they were always a little too short on me. They weren't exactly comfortable and - considering my physique - they didn't look too good on me. Apart from the length of tops their cut often caused me problems as well. And when I was recently complimented on wearing a "great top" I had to laugh while thanking the person. It was - and many of you may know it - actually a dress... but short enough to fit like a top.

The topic: shoes

Even worse are the problems tall women encounter when looking for shoes that are large enough. Ever since I was a teenager I had a love-hate relationship with shoes. You wanted to love them but in fact you hated them since you couldn't find a nice pair that you really liked. I could never find a nice pair of shoes when I wanted to go dancing as a teen. Sure, you could find shoes in your size but they looked like your granny would wear them. And you would never feel comfortable when wearing them. My Mum once bought me a pair of shiny men's shoes with a buckle which I wore with my dress. You can imagine that I didn't enjoy putting them on. And I didn't wear them very often either.

You may say that is not really ideal but then tall women stand out positively... and are pretty much treated like goddesses. And how many short women would love to be tall and want to stand out from the crowd. Indeed, that is the case. But first you need to realize that there are positive aspects to being tall. After all you have mainly experienced the negatives. You need to enjoy standing out and not think "Oh no. Everyone is watching me because I'm not normal but trampling along like a giant."

We need to be comfortable in our skins

How does this work? When we feel good... when we wear the clothes we like. When we can find feminine shoes that are fitting for the occassion, suit our type and our mood. I often talk to women in my store who never wore a pair of beautiful women's shoes before. Their faces light up, they start smiling. They feel like a different person. Beautiful shoes are a symbol for femininity and add to your self-confidence. That way women can finally get past comments like "Wow, she is huge. Is that a guy?" and finally clearly hear compliments like "Wow, what a woman!".

So love yourselves the way you are... don't allow society or the fashion industry to bring you down. Embrace being different and make it a positive in your life. We are grand.

About the author: Sarah Brabender lives in Essen, Germany, is 6'1 1/2" and is the owner of the recommended footwear store Schuhe Grossartig

This one is from 2012 but still makes for an interesting read

Today show bosses have reportedly demanded that new host Savannah Guthrie wear smaller heels and lower her anchor chair so she does not tower over co-host Matt Lauer.

'Guthrie's height has become an issue,' sources told the New York Post.

Guthrie, who started hosting alongside Lauer in early July to replace the diminutive Ann Curry, admits she towers over 5ft 11 Lauer when she puts on heels.

Read the full article

In an essay for The Cut, Ann Friedman paints a pretty off-putting picture of what it’s like to be a 6'2" woman: fielding daily comments and personal questions (“How tall is your boyfriend?” “Do you ever wear heels?”), getting gawked at by strangers and children. “My height is something I discuss every day,” she writes. Sounds exhausting.

Being a very tall woman is assumed to be such an undesirable condition that one-third of pediatric endocrinologists in the U.S. offer growth-suppression treatments for girls on track to reach 6' or above. But are all tall women really dissatisfied with their height? In a 2007 paper for the Journal of Adolescent Health, a team of sociologists and psychologists, led by Janet Lever of California State University, explored women’s feelings about their height.

Lever and her colleagues conducted an online survey (on MSNBC.com and Elle.com) of over 30,000 women of varying heights, and found that the women who were happiest with their height were between 5'7" and 5'11": 80 percent of the women in this range said they were content with their stature. Even among women 6' tall, over three-quarters -77 percent - said they "felt okay about their height"; among women 6'1" to 6'3", that figure dropped to around 60 percent. Feeling too short was a far more common complaint: only 37 percent of 5'1" women reported feeling satisfied with their height, and even among women 5'6" to 5'8" - solidly above average - a large majority of those who are dissatisfied want to be taller, not shorter. “Our data indicate that dissatisfaction with tall stature is not nearly as widespread as is commonly assumed,” they conclude.

Read the original New Republic article

See Just How Drastically Women's Heights Differ Around the World

Where do you stand?

By Christina Heiser, February 11, 2016

Chances are, your girlfriends run the gamut of heights (we all have that barely 5' pal and also one who towers over everyone else). So what's the norm?

The average woman in the U.S. is 5'4", according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And heights totally vary around the globe, as you can see from the image above. The shortest ladies come from Bolivia — they stack up at just 4'8" on average — while the tallest hail from the Netherlands, at 5'7" on average.

Then there are the extremes.

Read the full article (incl. graphics and pictures)

Hi, my name is Allysun, I go by "Ally" for short.. Although there is nothing short about me. I am 23 years old and I am 6'1" and I wear a size 12 shoe. Not fun let me tell you.. I have never been able to find cute "girly" shoes in my size and I sure as hell won't find a pair of pants that's long enough.. Not with a 34in inseam.

Growing up I have always gotten made fun of for being tall, considering I was taller than most of the boys in my class until about my Jr. year of high school, I was a very large, and easy target. I got the "how's the weather up there" or the "did you play basketball?" along with many others. I was actually in choir for all of my going to school years which was humiliating in and of itself simply because I was always in the top row of risers and right in the middle, sticking out like a sore thumb.

Although it may have been slightly humiliating at times, I stuck with it because It was my passion. My senior year of high school they even did the "Choir Awards" they were supposed to be funny little jokes about each student.. Most of them were fairly clever and funny.. Except mine... I was deemed "The Human Skyscraper".... Quite often I got asked if my parents were tall, thing is they aren't. I honestly don't know where I get my height, or my red hair for that matter.

Over the years I have found ways to overcome my "Tall Struggles" I have avoided wearing pants. I usually wear shorts or leggings. I don't really pay attention to the ignorant comments anymore, and I have learned to actually love my life as a tall woman. I still wear heels and I have gotten pretty good at finding shoes that fit. The only struggle nowadays is finding a man taller than me, and of course the fact that my hips and knees make me feel like I'm 50 some days. Over all though, I have somehow learned to enjoy being tall. I guess I have just accepted myself the way that I am. Hopefully someday I will find a man that accepts me as well.

This is an article about my great friend Sharran from London

I can say that Sharran is one of the sweetest, most caring ladies out there. Don't treat her as a "novelty". She's so much better than that.

Fact is: even tall ladies come in all shapes and sizes (Joerg)

"... There aren't too many women who reach their sporting peak by eating takeaways and fried chicken – and tipping the scales at a mighty 32 stone. But then there aren't too many women who take up sumo wrestling. In fact, the British female 'team' currently has just one member – 6ft mother of three Sharran Alexander..."

Read the full article

Short Men Need Not Apply

By Brooke Bell, Staff Writer | February 5, 2019

When going to college, I thought about the location, school, volleyball team. But it went over my head to think about the average height of males where I was moving. But I should have taken note, because being a 6-foot-3 woman, I am most comfortable dating someone who is 6-foot-2 or taller. This, in the state with the shortest men in the country, is a challenge. 

I have tried being with a shorter guy, and it sank like the Titanic. He was a great guy. He had a nice smile, dressed well, had his life together, but he was a relatively short 5-11. At the time, I let it slide until he went to kiss me. He kissed my chin. At that moment I experienced feelings of laughter, humiliation, and manliness. I vowed that I would date someone above 6-foot. 

Reading this you may accuse me of being shallow. But after my experience of dating shorter, I finalized that I want a man taller than me. 

When I go to do the simplest of errands, like shopping for milk, it feels as if I am a walking exhibit at a museum. People are not nice, they stare, make comments, try to take a quick picture, or sometimes laugh. So, the last thing I want is to date someone who enhances the laughs, glares, and sly remarks.

Me, on the far right, crouching so I am not noticeably a foot taller than the rest of my classmates. (Photo courtesy of The Silversword)

Height is a blessing and a curse. When I go into crowds, I hunch so I don't block people's view, I say sorry uncontrollably when trying to find my seat at a game, when taking pictures I automatically go to the back so the height is even in the pictures, and when I am in a bar I find the nearest seat to sit down in so I am eye-level height with my friends.

My whole life I have been the "big girl," and the last feeling I want in a relationship with my significant other is to be the "bigger" one in the relationship. Being an above-average height gives off automatic masculinity, whereas, when dating a taller man, it gives the sense of safety, comfort, and normality. 

"I love your masculine body," I was once told by a 5-6 drunk girl.   

Some people can make height a sort of fetish. Many people stare or come up to me just to talk about my height. Shorter men will come up to me and say, "I just want to know what it's like to be with a tall girl." Height can be dehumanizing because that's all people see and automatically put stereotypes to it.

Don't get me wrong; I love my height and I am thankful for all it has given me, but it can lead to interesting and unwelcoming situations. I worked security at a bar in San Diego over this past Christmas break, and about every night a man would come up and tell me how fantasized he was with my height; the guy was always at least 5 inches shorter than me.

"Date shorter guys Brooke. He may be short but he could still be a good guy," says my Mom every time I bring up boy troubles. 

When people see a taller girl with a shorter guy, they typically point it out, laugh, and then comment on how unnatural that is. I stand there and laugh with them until I realize that one day that could be me. I tell myself love is love, no matter his height. As long as he's taller than me.

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Sigourney Weaver has been luckier than most Hollywood stars - because no one wanted to work with a six-foot tall woman at the beginning of her career. The Aliens star admits she'll always be grateful to the directors who cast her despite fears she'd tower over her leading men. She explains, "When I started, hardly anybody wanted to hire a woman who was six feet tall. "Which man wants to spend their shooting days on the set on an apple box just to be able to look into my eyes?" Weaver had another disadvantage - she was a woman who wanted a family. She adds, "I feel sorry for women like Katharine Hepburn. She might have won four Academy Awards, but she never got to enjoy what it means to be a mother. I find that very sad."

That's the full article... I found it here.

Single women ask: "Am I too tall to date?"

By Elizabeth Roehrig

There I was, sitting with a friend on a Friday night, when we noticed a couple of hip and handsome guys sitting next to us. Witty banter ensued between me and the Casey Affleck-alike and things were looking promising... that is, until we both stood up to pick a few songs from the jukebox. It was the moment of truth, and yep, at almost 5'10", I was a couple of inches taller than him. I could feel him sizing me up, and our sizzle from a moment ago beginning to fizzle.

If you're in the "tall woman" club like me, you've probably experienced a similar scenario. And while dating for women like us may have its own inherent set of challenges, they're hardly the type that we can't overcome. Let the pros, cons and advice listed below serve as a little inspiration for all you vertically blessed beauties out there... it's not nearly as bad as you might think!

Fewer men tend to approach tall women for dates

Many of my tall friends (myself included) are very open to dating shorter men — the problem is often that they steer clear of us, thinking that we're "too tall" given the expectation that guys must loom over their dates. Patricia Barba, 34, of Greenwich, CT, who's just shy of six feet, had a male coworker spell out to her why she's so often left on the sidelines. "We were at our holiday party, and a coworker who's around my height asked if I'd like to dance. I said yes and mentioned that not many men ask me to dance, and he said it's because men must find my height imposing. That was hard to hear!" Other times, men aren't so straightforward and their preferences come across in the form of a subtler snub. "When I'm out on weekends, I'm the one who talks to all the guys and gets the conversation going," says Richelle, 27, who's six feet tall and from Boston. "But usually at the end of the evening, the guy I've been talking to will say, 'Who's your friend?' And inevitably the girl he's interested in is one of my shorter pals."

The men who do hit on us tend to be great catches

While being overlooked as dating material due to our height can be frustrating, there is a benefit to this situation as well. Because, you see, the shorter men who do hit on us are definitely worth their salt. "I recently dated a guy who is an inch shorter than me, but his personality and confidence made him seem taller," says Patricia. "He seemed really self-assured, which put me at ease and made our height difference seem like a non-issue. I think generally that guys who go for taller women are pretty dynamic individuals." In other words, look at your height as a gatekeeper that only allows the truly worthy shorter men into your inner circle. Mary, 27, from Woodbridge, NJ, is 5'8" and has dated a handful of shorter men, including her current boyfriend. "Since they don't have the height that a lot of girls look for, these guys develop other, more meaningful qualities, such as kindness, humor, and consideration," she says... which ultimately makes for a better boyfriend. "While a shorter man might not be my first choice, if he's much more interested in me and attentive to my needs, who can say no to that?" Mary asks.

Few men meet our own preferred height requirements

While many tall women are perfectly happy to date shorter guys, some of us, I admit, aren't always so thrilled about it. And as a result, we often limit our own prospects and have no one to blame but ourselves for long dry spells between dates. "I would go out all the time and find only one or two guys that I considered to be good prospects because of my 'height restriction,'" says Sarah, 5'10", of Reading, MA. "I was only looking for guys 6'1" and over, because it just seems more natural for the man to be taller than the woman." Of course, we know we should give shorter guys a chance, but it's tough to change your own perception (let alone society's) that the guy should tower over his gal. "You grow up with this notion that the man should be bigger than the woman so he can protect her," explains Erin, 26, 6'2", of Richmond, VA.

Tall women eventually learn to recognize what really makes a relationship work

While tastes and attraction are hard to change, sooner or later, many tall women are forced to accept a valuable truth that often eludes other daters: that they should jettison the more superficial traits on their "wish list" for a partner — whether that's being 6'2", having a full head of hair or possessing six-pack abs. "While I used to believe that a man needed to be taller than me for me to feel safe, I know now that isn't true," says Erin, who ultimately fell for a man three inches shorter. "When I first met my now-husband, I thought he was cute, but I never thought we'd end up together due to the height difference. But we had a real connection and I know now that's what counts."

Once you're dating a partner who is shorter than you are, there's a whole new host of problems to deal with

OK, so you've gotten over your own "He's got to be taller than me" hangups and have hit it off with a guy who's largely fine with the fact that you've got some inches over him. But even then, you're not in the clear. For starters, try walking into a room together; you're bound to get some odd looks. "I once dated someone shorter. He said it didn't matter to him, but people couldn't help but comment on it and make some pretty embarrassing jokes," says Richelle. "Once we were asked if he stood on the curb to kiss me!" To keep the wisecracks to a minimum, many women abandon their heels in favor of flats. But even then, the undue attention can sometimes be unbearable.

Eventually, you learn to stop caring what other people think

Know that phrase, "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger?" That also applies in this scenario: sooner or later, most tall women who date shorter men develop a Teflon coating. They stop caring if people point at them walking down the street together or if friends and family members make height jokes. They learn that all that really matters is whether you like the guy and whether he likes you. Six-foot-tall Ciana Clarke, 40, of Tallahassee, FL, may have felt awkward when she first began dating her shorter husband, but that soon changed. "His family and friends would tease him about his height rather than mine and say that he was lucky to land me, but he never let their cracks bother him," she recalls. "He made me feel like a treasure and celebrated my difference more than anything else. I was proud of my height before we met, but his love and acceptance have made me feel more comfortable with our four-inch height difference." And there's no reason to relegate your high heels to the back of the closet when you have a self-confident guy in your corner. "My husband is really the one that made me start to embrace my height," says Erin. "Before I met him, I don't think I owned one pair of heels — now I can't get enough of them. My man loves me for all that I am, height included!"

Elizabeth Roehrig has written for Redbook and other publications.

Six-foot tall woman tired of people 'pointing and staring' at her hit with death threats

Jade Egemonye, 23, started the "Tall Girl Brunch Club" in London which attracts hundreds of women who attend to share the united struggle of clothes not fitting and being gawked at in public

A six-foot tall woman who started a "Tall Girl Brunch Club" says she received death threats from height-conscious men.

Jade Egemonye, 23, started the group in London where taller women could bond over their united struggle of poorly fitting clothes and being stared at in public.

The boozy banquets usually see 10-18 taller women attending - and Jade says she's been inundated with messages from women looking to join.

But the 23-year-old has to hide the location after getting threatening messages which tell her they will "die" or that someone's "coming to get them".

Jade says these hateful messages are blokes projecting their own height issues onto her gang of larger ladies.

However, it's not the aggressive men that irk Jade most - but short girls repeatedly asking to come along.

So Jade set a firm rule that attendees at the Tall Girl Brunch Club have to be at least 5ft9in tall.

Jade, from Greenwich, Greater London, said it all kicked off in November last year after she received a deluge of responses after tweeting that she didn't have any tall female friends.

The responses flooded in and Jade decided to a create a space for them to talk about "shared experiences" - which include being unable to fit into clothing and being stared at on the tube or at the gym.

She admits that she never expected the brunches to be such a big hit but the events soon snowballed and were selling out within 'hours'.

Despite her good intentions, Jade has faced some online backlash from trolls.

Jade said: "We have some men project their issues with their height onto us. It's ironic because comments about men's heights almost never come from tall women - they come from other men.

"That's why I don't put restaurants down on the events page. We've had some hate messages, horrible stuff like 'You shall die', 'I'm gonna come get you', etc.

"From that point on, I made sure that only the girls who have booked a ticket know where we're meeting. I want to try and protect women as much as possible.

"I would categorise a tall girl as somebody who is 5ft 9in and higher - 5ft 9in is the average height for a man in the UK. This was a big cause of contention, as I'd have people in the comments saying 'I'm 5ft 6in and I feel like I'm tall.'

"There's always a girl who will comment 'Imagine if I came along, I'm 5ft 3in'. On every damn TikTok.

"I can bet my life that there will be some girls saying 'What about the short girls?' or 'I'm five foot'. I want to say 'You're not as original as you think'.

"It ticks me off. Girls will also ask me if they can come and they'll be 5ft 4in. What am I meant to say? Those are the comments that annoy me the most.

"I've not had anybody lie about their height and show up yet. I'm banking on the power of shame. I've been lucky so far."

One TikTok user said: "I need some tall friends, I'm tired of being the tallest," whilst another commented: "As a fellow 5ft 11er..I would love to be about my tall kin."

Other commenters lamented that their lack of stature would prevent them from attending.

One commenter said: "What about us short girls?", whilst another asked: "Is it okay if I come? I'm not exactly tall but I don't mind wearing heels that are really high so I can be included."

Another user asked: "Are 5ft 8in babes allowed?"

One TikTok commenter said: "You're gonna find a 5ft 3in babe hiding under the table."

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