NewJeffCT
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Wed Oct-12-11 09:38 AM
Original message |
Does height affect your career? |
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One of my wife's best friends has been pretty successful in her career so far - she has an MBA and landed a good job out of college in the late 90s when the Clinton boom was still in full swing. She has also done well for herself at her two companies - both are very large, well known corporations - and has a great work ethic.
However, she's gotten concerned lately that her lack of height is holding her back - she claims to be 5'2", but is more likely closer to 5'0" to 5'1" - but, I think she's wrong in that regards. She's an attractive, personable woman.
I think it's somewhat cultural, as she's Chinese, like my wife, and in China, somebody that is tall is usually considered more attractive and successful based on height alone. However, in the US, women of a more petite stature are often considered more attractive because they're smaller, and I've known some pretty high level women in the various places I've worked that are pretty short.
I did a google search and came up with a mixed bag of answers - some say "yes" and some say "no" and others say "yes" for men, but not so much for women.
What do people think here in the Lounge?
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abq e streeter
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Wed Oct-12-11 09:57 AM
Response to Original message |
1. Not just career; many aspects of life. |
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Definitely affects men . Everything from short men making significantly less money in their lifetimes to lower rates of marriage. All the way to the taller presidential candidate winning most of the time. Even the old cliche of women looking for Mr. "tall, dark and handsome". Note which one of those is listed first. Short men are often seen and treated, even if just subconsciously, as lesser beings than their taller counterparts.
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Tuesday Afternoon
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Wed Oct-12-11 11:23 AM
Response to Original message |
2. more than likely it is her age moreso than her height at this point. |
NewJeffCT
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Wed Oct-12-11 02:50 PM
Response to Reply #2 |
12. she did make a comment before |
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because she travels an ungodly amount for her job that she's noticed that men don't offer to help her as much with her luggage in the airport anymore.
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dawg
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Wed Oct-12-11 11:35 AM
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3. I don't think it matters much for women. |
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With men, it's a much bigger deal. (Much to my chagrin)
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raccoon
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Wed Oct-12-11 12:25 PM
Response to Reply #3 |
4. Disagree with what you said about women, Dawg--my new boss (woman) is about 5-7. |
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I know, anecdotal, but IMO it is generally true. DOesn't matter AS MUCH for women, but IMO it does matter.
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dawg
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Wed Oct-12-11 01:16 PM
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7. Oh, I'm sure it affects women, too. |
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My thoughts are that height and physical attractiveness affect both sexes in the workplace. But I suspect it is better to be a tall, ugly man, whereas it would be better to be a short, pretty woman. In other words, I think people key on attractiveness more with women and height more with men.
Of course, YMMV.
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NewJeffCT
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Wed Oct-12-11 02:49 PM
Response to Reply #4 |
11. my first boss out of college |
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Edited on Wed Oct-12-11 02:49 PM by NewJeffCT
was a woman that was 5'2" or 5'3" and in her early 30s at the time - she went on to a pretty successful career from what I remember. (wow, she's in her mid 50s now, I just realized)
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NV Whino
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Wed Oct-12-11 01:05 PM
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5. Let's just say being short is hard |
NewJeffCT
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Wed Oct-12-11 02:48 PM
Response to Reply #5 |
10. she works in a corporate/business environment |
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for a very well known company. It's not like she's in modeling or the WNBA.
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Bake
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Wed Oct-12-11 01:15 PM
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6. Career-wise, taller is better (up to a point, of course). |
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Tell your friend to get some stilettos.
:hi:
Bake
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KamaAina
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Wed Oct-12-11 01:16 PM
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8. Well, so far my 3'8" friend is doing all right |
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Edited on Wed Oct-12-11 01:17 PM by KamaAina
she's a university professor.
As a matter of fact, today's her birthday! :party:
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NewJeffCT
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Wed Oct-12-11 02:44 PM
Response to Reply #8 |
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and glad she is doing well.
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RedCloud
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Wed Oct-12-11 03:42 PM
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13. Yes. 50 ft. tall people are invariably attacked by our military. |
applegrove
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Wed Oct-12-11 05:22 PM
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14. Malcolm Gladwell wrote about this. I think he said it is true for men. |
RebelOne
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Wed Oct-12-11 05:26 PM
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15. Not working now. I am retired, but height was never a problem |
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in my working years. I am 5'3", but I always wore 3-inch heels.
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Lady President
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Wed Oct-12-11 05:38 PM
Response to Original message |
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Just what I've seen out in the world without scientific proof...
I work at a big company, and we jokingly call senior leadership the "44 Long Club". All the execs are taller than average, but not super tall.
As 5'10" woman, I don't think it works the same for us. I think there are men who are still intimidated by tall women. I can't change it (and wouldn't if I could).
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NewJeffCT
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Wed Oct-12-11 05:44 PM
Response to Reply #16 |
17. how about other women, though? |
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My wife's friend's boss is a woman, and the CEO of the company is also a woman.
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Shagbark Hickory
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Wed Oct-12-11 07:28 PM
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18. Deleted message. Name removed. |
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Edited on Wed Oct-12-11 07:29 PM by Shagbark Hickory
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Nikia
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Thu Oct-13-11 08:44 PM
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19. I think that short people aren't taken as seriously |
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It really isn't about being attractive. Many people think of short people as more childlike, regardless of age, or as weaker. I don't think that she is completely out of luck, but she might have to work harder to prove herself.
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dimbear
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Fri Oct-14-11 12:53 AM
Response to Original message |
20. If you stay high all the time you're prolly OK. It's going up and down that gets you fired. |
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Mostly for routine type jobs, tho. Not the neurosurgeon types.
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cherokeeprogressive
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Fri Oct-14-11 01:07 AM
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21. Short people got... no reason... |
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Short People got no reason Short People got no reason Short People got no reason To live
They got little hands And little eyes And they walk around Tellin' great big lies They got little noses And tiny little teeth They wear platform shoes On their nasty little fett
Well, I don't want no Short People Don't want no Short People Don't want no Short People Round here ----------
Nope.
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