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#1
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"Can you believe all these fat people?"
In another thread, JJ wrote:
"JJ" wrote in message news:hG%1c.465394$I06.5267624@attbi_s01... Finally, one event that felt good and made me quite angry at the same time; I was standing in line to purchase an item at the store and a slender stranger next to me, as he observed people walking through the store, said "can you believe all these fat people." The statement was presented in quite a derogatory fashion. On one hand it felt good to not be considered one of the fat people, but at the same time I know that I am one of these fat people. I never liked the ridicule (or my perception of ridicule) when I was very overweight, my tolerance for it now when I hear it directed at others is zero. What an experience that must have been. I imagine that formerly fat people can become particularly sensitive to the biases that currently fat people face. This gentleman (I use the term loosely) you encountered in the shop regarded you as a co-conspirator because you are not fat. It gives you a glimpse of how the "other side" lives. I find that very compelling to think about. It's similar to what might be faced by a person who listens uncomfortably to homophobic jokes around the water cooler because nobody knows he's gay. There are things that even civilized people will not say to someone's face but will gladly say behind his back. JJ, you got a firsthand glimpse of this phenomenon. Luna submitted a thoughtful post a few weeks ago contemplating the cognitive disconnect that occured as a result of the world accepting her in the "thin person" club while she still thought of herself as a fat person (though she clearly no longer is). I think JJ's experience is related. It is interesting to think about. I wonder how others will view me when I am thin. I wonder how I will view myself. And I wonder how I will view people who are (still) fat. carla |
#2
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"Can you believe all these fat people?"
carla wrote:
:: It is interesting to think about. I wonder how others will view me :: when I am thin. They'll see you as thin or at least not fat. :: I wonder how I will view myself. You'll see you as a fat person is a thin person's body. It won't seem real....and you'll worry about waking up... And I wonder how I :: will view people who are (still) fat. You'll see them as trapped (the really overweight people, anyway), not knowing what to do about it...and it won't feel good. Well, at least that's how it's working for me....maybe it'll change.... |
#3
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"Can you believe all these fat people?"
That happened to me the other day at the store too. A very heavy young
girl about 19 or so was buying several candy bars, and when she walked away, the clerk looked at her, then looked at me, and said "that should not be allowed" in a very hateful tone. I was too taken aback to even respond. I just looked at him and said nothing, but it hurt me for the girl, and I'm also amazed at how brazen people are becoming when making comments about overweight people. It's like it's the new pastime or something. Sad really. :-( -- Cheri Type 2, no meds for now. "JJ" wrote in message news:hG%1c.465394$I06.5267624@attbi_s01... Finally, one event that felt good and made me quite angry at the same time; I was standing in line to purchase an item at the store and a slender stranger next to me, as he observed people walking through the store, said "can you believe all these fat people." The statement was presented in quite a derogatory fashion. On one hand it felt good to not be considered one of the fat people, but at the same time I know that I am one of these fat people. I never liked the ridicule (or my perception of ridicule) when I was very overweight, my tolerance for it now when I hear it directed at others is zero. |
#4
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"Can you believe all these fat people?"
I see job discrimination all the time due to being fat.
I work as an independent contractor, so do a LOT of interviews. Very often, the people interviewing me get a disgusted look when they first see me, and I don't get the contract even though I impress the hell out of them with my experience and knowledge. Often the contract is lost because of that "first impression" of the fat, although well-dressed slob who "must be" lazy and incompetent. There is 100% as much job discrimination on basis of weight as there ever was on race or sex, I am convinced of that. Especially in Colorado, which has one of the lowest rates of obesity in the U.S. Mark. "carla" wrote in message m... In another thread, JJ wrote: "JJ" wrote in message news:hG%1c.465394$I06.5267624@attbi_s01... Finally, one event that felt good and made me quite angry at the same time; I was standing in line to purchase an item at the store and a slender stranger next to me, as he observed people walking through the store, said "can you believe all these fat people." The statement was presented in quite a derogatory fashion. On one hand it felt good to not be considered one of the fat people, but at the same time I know that I am one of these fat people. I never liked the ridicule (or my perception of ridicule) when I was very overweight, my tolerance for it now when I hear it directed at others is zero. What an experience that must have been. I imagine that formerly fat people can become particularly sensitive to the biases that currently fat people face. This gentleman (I use the term loosely) you encountered in the shop regarded you as a co-conspirator because you are not fat. It gives you a glimpse of how the "other side" lives. I find that very compelling to think about. It's similar to what might be faced by a person who listens uncomfortably to homophobic jokes around the water cooler because nobody knows he's gay. There are things that even civilized people will not say to someone's face but will gladly say behind his back. JJ, you got a firsthand glimpse of this phenomenon. Luna submitted a thoughtful post a few weeks ago contemplating the cognitive disconnect that occured as a result of the world accepting her in the "thin person" club while she still thought of herself as a fat person (though she clearly no longer is). I think JJ's experience is related. It is interesting to think about. I wonder how others will view me when I am thin. I wonder how I will view myself. And I wonder how I will view people who are (still) fat. carla |
#5
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"Can you believe all these fat people?"
"Roger Zoul" wrote in message
... carla wrote: :: It is interesting to think about. I wonder how others will view me :: when I am thin. They'll see you as thin or at least not fat. :: I wonder how I will view myself. You'll see you as a fat person is a thin person's body. It won't seem real....and you'll worry about waking up... And I wonder how I :: will view people who are (still) fat. You'll see them as trapped (the really overweight people, anyway), not knowing what to do about it...and it won't feel good. Well, at least that's how it's working for me....maybe it'll change.... You just described it perfectly, Roger. |
#6
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"Can you believe all these fat people?"
Well, I can speak from experience there's another side of that coin. As
a "thin" person (low carbing) in an office of predominantly overweight people, my diet was ridiculed, I was told I wasn't eating enough, why can't I have a donut, etc. etc. and my diet was mocked. And yes, I have heard the same mocking comments made by thin people regarding overweight people so I know it goes both ways. And no, I did not parade around rejoicing in my "thiness" --- my diet was simply not accepted and my simple response became "you eat what you want to eat and I'll eat what I want to eat". Andrea |
#7
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"Can you believe all these fat people?"
I'm also amazed at how brazen people are becoming when making
comments about overweight people. It's like it's the new pastime or something. Sad really. :-( -- Cheri It's not new. Sizeism (fat discrimination) has been around for a very long time. It's just gotten uglier. Yvonne |
#8
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"Can you believe..." RANT LONG
"Marcusj" wrote in message ... I see job discrimination all the time due to being fat. I work as an independent contractor, so do a LOT of interviews. Very often, the people interviewing me get a disgusted look when they first see me, and I don't get the contract even though I impress the hell out of them with my experience and knowledge. Often the contract is lost because of that "first impression" of the fat, although well-dressed slob who "must be" lazy and incompetent. There is 100% as much job discrimination on basis of weight as there ever was on race or sex, I am convinced of that. Especially in Colorado, which has one of the lowest rates of obesity in the U.S. Mark. Mark et. al., I'm new to this group, having just started this new lifestyle. I began the South Beach Diet on Monday and have lost 7 lbs so far in the past 5 days. Hooray for me!!! I chose this thread to get in on, because it (weight discrimination) has happened to me. I was in the restaurant business for several years, and at one time was between jobs due to a restaurant closing. I went to a new restaurant opening up and applied for a job. I spoke the first day with the owner, a very nice gentleman who visited with me, and after hearing my credentials told me: "I think you will be a benefit to our team. I'm not doing the hiring myself, however. I'll have a team in next week who will do the interviews and hiring for me. Be sure you get your application and resume in by Monday." ... which I did. I got called in for the interview right away.... Me, the 35 year old, short, heavy female... in a room full of 19 and 20-something kids with firm butts and ponytails and no previous work experience looking for a job. Never mind that my restaurant training and experience was far above the others in the group (based on their ages if nothing else). When I was called in for the one-on-one interview, the interviewer, a never-been-fat-a-day-in-her-life woman never even looked at my resume or application - just my name on the outside of the folder. She took one look at me, frowned, and asked me exactly two questions: 1. How long have you lived in El Dorado? (which she would have known had she read my resume); and 2. Do you find it a nice place to live? Whereupon she then proceded to give me the company spiel about not hiring everyone who applies, and taking a few days getting through the hiring process, and said she'd notify me one way or the other by the end of the week. I never heard from them. When I called the next week, I was told by someone else whose job it obviously was to field these kinds of calls, that I "didn't fit the company profile." Meaning I was fat. Never mind the fact that I'd worked in that SAME building for the previous restaurant owner before she retired and sold her business. Anyway, I've rambled on about this, but it struck a nerve with me. I will tell you that I got another job almost immediately. How I got that one is another weight-related story, but at least it had a happy ending. I believe weight discrimination sucks. It is no less vile than any other form of discrimination. And when I get thin and fit, I WILL call down anyone I hear making derogatory comments about large people. The fact that we are fat does not negate the good things we are. It's just something each person must deal with on their own. We in this group have chosen to deal with it by fixing it. That does not mean we should be disrespectful to others who aren't on the same path. Had I heard the comment heard by the OP, I swear I'd have told him that what "shouldn't be allowed" are rude comments by ignorant people. But then, I wouldn't have heard it, because he wouldn't have said it to me. I'm still fat. But I'm getting there. Jean Intelligent in Arkansas 182/175/140 5'3", 38 years old I have not had a cigarette in Eleven months, 19 hours, 42 minutes and 26 seconds. That's 6716 cigarettes not smoked, saving $685.07. But who's counting? |
#9
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"Can you believe all these fat people?"
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#10
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"Can you believe all these fat people?"
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