Why do some people inform an adult person who is tall of the fact that he or she is tall?

I vividly remember a visit to high school from primary and one teacher saying "oh, look at you. We'll have you on the netball team".

I was the tallest person in a year group of 300+ until 5th form when some of the lads overtook me. It didn't help that the uniform was bottle green so I was called The Jolly Green Giant.

I'm re-reading Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time published in 1951. Sizeist clichés abound. The nurses caring for detective Alan Grant he dubs The Midget (5'2") and the Amazon (six-feet-odd). Mary Queen of Scots is described as six feet tall. Nearly all out-size women are cold. Ask any doctor, Grant says.

At just over 5ft people comment on my height, but the one that used to upset me was "you are very thin, are you not well". I was fine then and since the menopause I have filled out now anyway lol
I don't know why people feel the need to state the obvious at times.

Talk about First world problems! As my mother used to say, if that’s the worst that happens you, you’re doing well.

Making a comment on someone’s ‘tallness’ is seen more of a compliment that’s why some people feel ok to say it. Being tall is considered a blessing especially for a man. Shortness isn’t so desirable so it’s an insult if you say it to someone, again especially to a man. The attached article of the OP’s is interesting.

Tall and handsome was the request for a husband when I was a girl.

The difficulty of designing houses for taller or shorter people would bring some negative connotations.
Although not always true-as children we were not at all well off, but my brother is 6’ 7”, according to statistics, wealthier people tend to be taller because their diets are better and poverty adversely affects height.

It's like when people knew you when you were thin, and they say "My, but you've grown so fat..." as if it's something you don't know.

When my Grandmother was an 11 year old in the 19th century, her Headmaster said to her “My goodness, you’re going to be a tall young Lady”. She didn’t grow any more and remained at 4 feet eleven inches for the rest of her life.
Both my parents were small, yet I’m 5 feet 10 inches. People often ask me in supermarkets to reach items for them.
Hated being tall at School but love it now.

M0nica

grandetante the best taugh,t most superior person can now and again be taken by surprise and say something that sullies their impeccable upbringing and antecedents.

Yes, Monica, I am sure you are right, but I read OP's post as a comment on the fact that some people choose deliberately to comment on other people's physical appearance.

This is quite a timely thread for me, as my young grandson has suddenly shot up and is head and shoulders above his classmates. I have commented admiringly, I thought, on his height, as do others, but I feel that we should just let it go now. Another problem is that people think he’s much older than he is because of his height.
I’m not very tall and neither are most members of the family and this is a source of amusement for some! His father is tall and, to be honest, I’d rather he was on the tall side than small.

AMF123

It also works the other way. My husband and I are short. When meeting the new in laws for the first time they said..aren't you short!

I don't think of it as the other way round. It is ... er ... topologically? ... the same thing!

One of the many similar experiences that tall people and short people have in common.

Another one being living in a built environment not designed with people their size being considered.

Ah, this thread has got top spot in Gransnet daily today, though with the following link text.

> Why do people tell other people this?

I was careful when I started the thread to include the word 'some' in the question.

Oh those syllogisms!

Media headlines often do not use 'some' when they should.

My mother repeatedly makes comments about people's features in a loud voice. I cringe at her remarks. She has no intention of marginalising them but just can't seem to see that her comments could be hurtful or anger provoking. She just thinks people are too sensitive. ?

Jillybird

Probably not really relevant, but my younger son is 6'4 without his shoes on.

He says he gets annoyed when he meets people taller than himself! He's so used to being the tallest in any gathering and looking down, he feels demeaned when he has to look up...
interesting...

Yes, that is interesting and might well be very relevant in providing an insight towards the answer to the question asked in this thread. Thank you.

One of our daughters friends bump into us in the supermarket and said “ Oh how are you two, I must admit you are starting to look your ages now” My husband replied “ well if you are normal we are well pleased with ourselves”. She with a red face said “how rude” and stormed off.

People don’t say aren’t you an average sized person ??

M0nica

My 6 foot DDiL is married to my 5 foot 8 inch son. I do not think anyone has ever commented on this. We certainly haven't. She is a lovely lovely person, and not at all masculine, whatever that might mean.

The only time we joke about her height - and it is mutual, is when she visits, as we live in a medieval timber framed house with lots of beams and low ceilings, which is fine for us, we are not a tall family, at least not in our generation, but she does have to do a lot of ducking and avoiding in some places in the house.

We thought DGC might be tall, but DGD seems to be settling at 5 foot 7 inches, DGS is just on the cusp of the great growth spurt that boys have once they reach about 11, we think he may turn out tall and thin like his other grandfather, He is certainly very thin with a light frame, we wait to see what height he reaches.

Whilst I have certainly not read every thread on Gransnet, that is the first time I have ever known anyone use the abbreviation DDiL.

Gold stars to both you M0nica and to your DDiL.

It also works the other way. My husband and I are short. When meeting the new in laws for the first time they said..aren't you short!

Brilliant!

A funny comment my four year old grandson made this week. He's a bit on the short side but I said he'd got taller since starting school. I asked "who is the tallest in your class"? "The teacher" he replied. Well ask a silly question!

My friend was tallish. I’m on the short side. At dances we both knew which of the males walking towards us as we sat near the dance floor, would end up dancing with which one of us!

I will probably think it to myself but wouldn’t say it out loud. I would think that the person is probably fed up or hearing it.

Yes that’s ppl for you always trying to point out to us what we already know. Guess it’s what we call has human nature. Think we should all wear a T-shirt saying yes I know I’ve lovely hair yes I know I’m short etc but ppl would still say it.

6ft 6 my oldest grandson, and the little one is 5ft 11 now (the one with the ever growing feet!)