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The Not So Little Problems of a Short Girl

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at URI chapter.

Height is deceiving. Never underestimate the length of a woman’s legs. We vertically challenged women go through the plenty aspects of our day differently than tall people that benefit us and annoy us. Here’s to the petite ladies out there who are reading this. Us “fun sized” ladies must stick together. Here’s to the life of a short girl.

You are the default description of “cuteness.”

Nope, not sexy…. cute. You’re the one known as “adorable” or a “munchkin.” It’s only good when a hot guy says it.

You are forever looking up. 

A crowd of people is not a place for short girls. Staring straight ahead is a problem for most because they are asking to loose sight of their friends. Also, they are most likely staring at your lower backside, so instead of face planting there, short girls save the two of you the embarrassment.

When it comes to reaching stuff, you always fall just a tad short. (Pun completely intended)  

Reaching the handrails on the bus, the storage for your luggage on Amtrack, the top shelves at the grocery store, the showerhead and plenty of others tall areas always challenged due to your height. Countertops become “counterbottoms.” 

Sitting behind ANYONE is a pain.

Your school notes lack certain words due to the 6 ft. basketball player that occasionally sits in front of you. Your neck muscles are always strained.

You are the masters of the grand art of cuffing.

The petite section of the clothing store is a hit or miss. Buying the “regular” sized jeans are bound to be cuffed within hours of wearing them.

Maxi skirts become maxi dresses.

Nothing fits right. Tall people are stared at enviously by short women because they could pull off trends that most girls couldn’t dream of trying. Short girls find their way and make the most of the styles offered. That cute maxi skirt became your next backyard BBQ dress. You could also play the “sweatshirt of dress?” game.  At the end of the day, no matter what you wear, you feel fabulous. 

The 5ft side of the pool is the literal deep end.

What is a shallow end? You can’t help but hangout in the low end because it’s the only part of the pool they could comfortably stand in. While other friends are lounging, you manage to keep airways above water. At least calories are burned when you’re tread water.

When it comes to games, you’re the limbo and hide and seek queens.

It comes naturally to fit into smaller spaces and swiftly glide underneath a descending stick. Short girls are always winning.

You look younger when you’re older.

Some might be complaining about getting their fake ID and turned away at bar doors, but will find it extremely flattering in the future. Who wants to look old when they’re old anyway?

People question your driving. 

Just because they are extremely close to the wheel doesn’t make them any less of a driver! Of course we can see over the wheel; what kind of question is that? Yes, we can reach the pedals. IT IS possible.

Your concert experience is just …. different. 

You’re blocked no matter what. SOMETIMES taller people will let you go in front of them so you can get a better view. 

You gave up dreams of being a model at a young age. 

We are always realistic and practical. At least you were always seen in the front line of elementary school pictures. Your height pulled through when it came to pictures then!

You always feel like you’re sitting in a high chair. 

No matter what seat it is, your feet NEVER touch the ground and winds up being a fail.

You can wear the tallest heels and never be tallest person in the room.

Go for the stilettos ladies! Enjoy the few hours of being an inch taller.

You’re perfect height for people to lean on you.

You’re literally that friend others can lean on, on a bad day.

Your tippy toe game is strong. 

Reaching height needs to be achieved somehow. Tiptoes are your personal heels. Kissing is done while on your toes almost always.

You constantly imagine what the world looks like from a taller perspective. 

You accepted the fact that you will never know the answer to your imagination.

Remember girls, you’re not short.. you’re fun sized! 

I'm willing to make anybody smile. I write to show how I chase happiness, contain & maintain positivity, express love and thought, and pursue strength and stability.