My husband needed slacks so we went to a department store. As we shopped, we bumped into a couple we know. They were amazed at Kurt's thinness.
The guy asked Kurt, "What size waist do you wear now?"
Kurt: "38."
Guy: "Be sure to call me when you start wearing a 36."
Kurt: "Why?"
Guy: "So I can shoot myself."
ME: "Why on earth would you shoot yourself if Kurt starts wearing a 36?"
Guy: "Because then he would be smaller than I am... I wear a 38."
I had to bite my tongue at that point because I wanted so badly to point out that if his pants were a size 38, then that was his hip size, not his waist, since his pants were worn way down low, with his bulging belly hanging over the "waist" of his slacks.
The encounter made me think about a previous post (see: The Fat Standard). Why do we do that? Why do we fall into comparing ourselves to others, and perhaps thinking as long as we are smaller than so-and-so, then we are okay? I admit... I've caught myself in that mindset on occasion.
Let's celebrate the success of others, and only compare ourselves to ourselves. How am I doing now compared to a month ago...a year ago...yesterday?
If the salesman had said that to a woman, he might have gotten slapped. I can't even imagine saying anything to anyone about their body size, whether it is plump or how about those who are far too thin? When I have friends who lose or gain weight, I bite my tongue to comment. I think commenting just perpetuates the whole need for others' approval of my body size.
ReplyDeleteGreat observation!