Father and son are tired of hearing about their height

Dear Abby: My husband is 6 feet, 6 inches tall. My 19-year-old son is taller, at 6 feet, 7 inches. They loathe being asked how tall they are. There are times when they are proud of their height and times when they feel self-conscious to “tower” over others.

Often, the question is asked in a tone that conveys they are some kind of “freak of nature.” They have been told they “must have been really well-fed growing up,” or the commenters are “so glad they never had to pay their food bills.” And, of course, the assumption is that they played basketball — which they both did. But imagine if they didn’t or hated the game.

They have had it with these insensitive, intrusive comments. While I, someone of average height, think a commenter may just be trying to make conversation — and height is a respected attribute — it’s nonetheless offensive. My son or husband would never ask anyone in retort, “How short are you?” or “How much do you weigh?”

Why do people think that questions about how tall someone is don’t fall into the same category? What’s an appropriate response when the person asking makes you out to be some kind of freak? —

Tall Person Sympathizer Dear Sympathizer:

Sometimes people, without intending to be rude, blurt out the first thing that comes into their heads, and height is hard to miss. This isn’t the first time I have been told that some tall individuals are self-conscious about it.

A social group called Tall Clubs International was formed many years ago so they could socialize without feeling self-conscious. (Today’s generations are taller by several inches than they were 100 years ago, and tourists visiting European museums have been shocked at the small size of the suits of armor.)

While all of us can have a bad day, I think the best way for your son and husband to handle these questions would be to hang onto their sense of humor and answer honestly.

Dear Abby: My man and I have been together for two years. He has his own place, and I have mine. While we really enjoy each other’s company, we haven’t been out on a date since we’ve been together. (I understand that the pandemic had an impact on this.) At some point, something’s got to give. What’s a woman like me to do? —

Homebound In Upstate New York

Dear Homebound: If you want a mate who is a self-starter, this person isn’t it. A woman “like you” should make the plans, tell her man where they are going and what they’ll be doing and what time to pick her up. If, after two years of expressing what you want, your message still hasn’t gotten through, please understand this will probably be the pattern for the rest of your relationship.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother,Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069 or visit www.DearAbby.com