To me, heterosexual dating culture’s obsession with height has always been one of its most baffling features (among many).
In general and thus normally men are taller than women. So, a few hundred thousand years of humanity have got used to that idea. This is then reflected in cultural norms.
It’s as if the bird has never heard of path dependence.
I can’t expect society to stop rewarding tall men for being tall, but I do think women (and everyone) can make a difference by interrogating their own desires and expanding their stringent boundaries. It not only opens up your dating pool, it opens you up to different kinds of people and experiences. It’s time for tall men to have to prove themselves like everyone else, and it’s time for the rest of us to be more like Zendaya.
Ah, yes, she really does believe that society is born anew in each generation, the tabula rasa.
Apparently Tom doesn’t find it an issue that Zandaya is taller than him. And neither would I, funnily enough. Or, on the other hand if he is anything like me, he will quietly find it an issue but be keeping his mouth shut about it because he knows which side his bread is buttered.
How exactly does society ‘reward tall men for being tall!?
American politicians in particular seem fond of the phrase “It’s time for …”
But I’ve never heard one explain why it wasn’t timely before.
“How exactly does society ‘reward tall men for being tall!?”
It hires them to be lighthouses.
Does Tom need a box?
Same way it “rewards white men for being white!”, i.e. not much if anything.
They get a statistical advantage in the use of Internet Dating Apps because of an apparent propensity for women to use the height filters to exclude men below 6 feet tall.
Whether this is actually true or just apocryphal is unclear.
..,,,,and it’s time for the rest of us to be more like Zendaya.
Judging by the authors profile photo I’d need some convincing she’s even the same species as Zendaya.
Tom Cruise never had any problems and he’s only four foot three !
I actually think this article should be lauded. For once a Guardian article actually said that women are to blame and should change how they behave towards men!
Cue loads of women nodding vigorously in agreement, while explaining that the fact they are married to a 6’0+ man is entirely a coincidence……
“ They get a statistical advantage in the use of Internet Dating Apps because of an apparent propensity for women to use the height filters to exclude men below 6 feet tall.
Whether this is actually true or just apocryphal is unclear.”
It’s true. The Studies Show podcast use it as an example of spotting errors in self reported data as you can see a kink in the Bell curve of height distribution. There’s a flattening just below 6’ and then a spike at 6’.
I did read many years ago that CEOs of major companies were often of above average height. If true maybe there is something in it.
Perhaps Rebecca Shaw is really a short-arsed bloke who decided to try his luck as an ugly bird. Triple-bagger, the camera does not lie.
The author says she’s a lesbian; so like most Guardianistas she’s complaining about other people’s behavior in a domain she’s not active in.
They must be really desperate for articles…
I think the meaning here is that since by inclination you’re obviously promiscuous why not try out the occasional runt for a change?
*Jedi Hand Wave* : “This is not the diversity I’m looking for. Move along.”
Even though this is a lesbian writing about heterosexual relationships I feel Sailor’s Law of Female Journalism applies….
Personally I think women are stupid for rejecting men under 6ft.
As I personally am over 6ft I wish dating apps had been around when I was single.
It’s true. The Studies Show podcast use it as an example of spotting errors in self reported data as you can see a kink in the Bell curve of height distribution. There’s a flattening just below 6’ and then a spike at 6’.
I would imagine there’s a similar statistical anomaly around 28 year old women
Yet Another Chris
asks,
Does Tom need a box?
I guess that depends on the line and length of the other side’s bowlers.
I’m 5’3.
I feel one of my immutable characteristics is being impugned.
NOW KNEEL BEFORE ME AND BEG FORGIVENESS.
Reparations shall be calculated later.
“Zendaya” is ugly and has a stupid name and I would not have sex with her.
Tall straight white men especially are given broad advantages in social situations, careers, salaries and pretty much every other scenario – besides seats on flights
Yes, because we’re great.
Would you swipe past Mark Ruffalo because he can look you directly in the eyes?
I would run him over in my big car. Out of my way, munchkins!
It’s probably because I am a fat woman that I think it’s important to interrogate all of these desires and dealbreakers we think we have.
And a bucket of fried chicken, for the lady.
I give thanks every day that I am a lesbian, because women and queer people are much more likely to push back at what society says is acceptable hotness
She’s pushing back with that 65 inch gunt.
Even if a man towers over you it doesn’t mean he will protect you.
True. You ideally want a man big enough to drive a big car that can take out Hollywood manlets, but also mentally ill enough to keep a car hammer under the driver’s seat like Ryan Gosling in Drive. But also with hair like Ryan Gosling in Drive.
but I do think women (and everyone) can make a difference by interrogating their own desires and expanding their stringent boundaries. It not only opens up your dating pool, it opens you up to different kinds of people and experiences
Dwarf rape is an experience.
“How exactly does society ‘reward tall men for being tall!?”
Beats me. I’m 5’7.
I think. Honestly, I haven’t checked in years. Might be 5’8, for all I know. Why do people want to know? I mean, these days nobody even asks your collar size or inside leg any more; it’s all “S, M, L, XL…”.
And I’m emphatically an “M”, so there. 😛
“Tom Cruise never had any problems and he’s only four foot three !”
Actually, he’s 5’7 too. Allegedly, although I’m not buying it unless everyone else in showbiz, including the women, is 6’4.
BiP: If your entire position rests on, “It’s time for x” or “Y is outdated”, you’ve lost the argument. I’m not saying those statements are never true, but if you can’t tell me why, I’m not listening.
I saw Tom Holland and “Zendaya” in a Spider Man film.
Tom Holland looks like a geriatric twink unsuccessfully disguising himself as a high school child.
Zendaya should be cleaning out the toilets at a Burger King somewhere. No major Hollywood movie would have have cast a dog like her in 2002, when good king Harvey Weinstein used to exercise quality control on starlets.
Spider-Man’s girlfriends used to be Kirsten Dunst and Bryce Dallas Howard, now he’s slumming it with a lanky brown tranny with a name like a pretentious 70’s prog rock band you never cared for.
Did Stan Lee die for nothing? Not even with Doc Ock’s twanger, Spidey.
Also, no offence to men under 6 feet tall, but technically you are primordial dwarves.
Stop being midgets, you little bastards.
Why do the frogs like midgets? Buonaparte, Mitterrand, Macron…
Women are picky and discriminating, who knew!
lesbian dating culture’s obsession with fat women with short hair (and dungarees) has always puzzled me
Is there some kind of evolutionary advantage?
I actually think Zendaya’s quite tasty. Although could benefit from a tad more rack. But I’m heavily recalibrated towards latina mulatas. A process I’ve thoroughly enjoyed.
Would you swipe past Mark Ruffalo because he can look you directly in the eyes?
Is the person who wrote this actually human?
You see, as a human being, I have this amazing thing called a neck. It allows me to tilt my head and look anyone directly in the eyes, no matter how tall they are.
At least short men don’t get nagged about trimming their nasal hair.
BiS – I am not in the slightest bit racist where it matters (my willy), but the unfortunately named Zebediah or whatever has the dull flat face of a borderline Mongoloid, the body of a 13 year old boy, and tits like a pair of old windsocks.
Hollywood’s new obsession with pretending ugly people are movie stars will be to its detriment. But adverts are going the same way, too. I don’t mean to be shallow, I just think physically unattractive people shouldn’t be showing me their fat rolls on billboards. As if they’ve achieved something in life, by being fat bastards with no shame. On the other hand, I appreciated the Wonderbra billboards.
The average barista in Venezuela or Alicante or even Hull would be a goddess compared to Current Year celebrities.
This young lady sounds like she was named after a Police LP.
She’s not Sting’s daughter or anything strange, is she ?
“ Why do the frogs like midgets? Buonaparte, Mitterrand, Macron…”
Bonaparte was average or a tad above average for the time at what was believed to be 5’ 6”. His personal guard were all massive for that period which is why he looks small but it was mostly British propaganda that put him at 5’ 2”.
1. Its not heterosexual dating culture, Francis. Its a limited selection of bitches on dating sites that are just looking for hookups. Sure, they *think* they’re gonna snag Mr Tall Dark And Handsome – what they’re really doing is being a cumdumpster. And not even getting paid for it.
2. Its not like gay guys don’t like tall men either.
*Straight Men* aren’t obsessed with height and neither are most normal women.
>and it’s time for the rest of us to be more like Zendaya.
Kinda airheaded?
D.I.E. – “Didn’t Earn It”.
Oh, I don’t know. I’m quite partial to a bit of genuine twink. Being tall in and of itself does nothing for me. That’s a female trait that goes with the whole “Muh protector” schtick. Not a gay trait, particularly.
@JuliaM – “How exactly does society ‘reward tall men for being tall!?|
By looking up to them.