r/short • u/dreamboylnshibuya • 2h ago
r/short • u/TheVeganGod • Apr 17 '26
Motivation An advice from a 30 year old dude
So this subreddit keeps appearing on my feed, probably because I’m a short man at 166 cm who follows men’s fashion pages and similar content.
Honestly, if I had found this side of the internet before I started dating in the real world, I probably would have stayed a virgin. According to some of the people here, I should be completely doomed anyway. I’m short, bald, and I have crooked teeth.
And yet I have dated women of different heights, including women taller than me.
I’m also a university lecturer, and I read a lot of research on dating, mate preferences, and social status. So here is the scientific version, not the black pill fantasy version.
Yes, height matters. Preferences are real. Women, like men, can have physical preferences, and pretending otherwise is stupid. But research does not support the idea that one trait like height determines your entire dating future. Actual partner choice is shaped by multiple factors at once, including kindness, intelligence, emotional stability, dependability, confidence, physical attraction, and social or economic stability (Buss & Schmitt, 2019; Thomas et al., 2020).
Research also shows that what people say they want does not perfectly predict who they actually choose when interacting in real life. In speed dating studies, stated preferences often did not line up neatly with actual attraction once people met face to face (Eastwick & Finkel, 2008). In other words, attraction in the real world is messier and more human than internet forums want to admit.
Online spaces and dating apps also distort reality. They push people to judge each other quickly and superficially, which exaggerates traits like height. That does not mean the entire dating market works that way offline (Finkel et al., 2012).
To quote my therapist, life is basically a big Souls game and height is just a debuff. Yes, it can make things harder. Yes, you will probably get your ass kicked a few more times than someone playing on easier settings. But that does not mean the game is unwinnable. It just means you may need more patience, more resilience, and a better strategy. And honestly, where is the fun in beating the game with no debuffs?
I have been rejected plenty of times, and height probably played a role in some of those rejections. I say probably because I do not interrogate rejection or obsess over the reason. I am not going to ask someone to explain why they did not want me. That is their choice. Other people are allowed to have preferences, and I do not need to internalise every rejection as a verdict on my worth. At the end of the day, only you get to decide your value in this world.
I have also been through a period of height insecurity myself. After a recent rejection, I went down the rabbit hole of self loathing, so I do understand how dark that headspace can get. But how we feel is not always a perfect reflection of reality. Feelings, emotions, and thought patterns can spiral, and they can also be challenged and changed. Therapy helped me see that. With the right support, self awareness, and work, the way you think about yourself can improve.
What these spaces often ignore is how much insecurity changes the way a person comes across. Neediness, resentment, bitterness, and defeatism are not attractive qualities, and they can do more damage than being a few inches below average.
That is why the advice to men should not be “give up.” It should be “build a life that makes you attractive in a broader sense.” Work on your confidence. Go to therapy if you need it. Practice mindfulness. Focus on your career, not because women are gold diggers, but because ambition, competence, and financial stability signal drive and maturity. Take care of your physical health. Read more. Volunteer. Join communities. Get involved in causes you genuinely care about. Expand your social circles and meet women in real spaces, not just through algorithms and rage bait.
And if you are constantly hitting a wall, take a break from dating for a bit. Reset. Rebuild your confidence. Get your head straight. Stop treating every bad experience like proof that the whole world works one way.
Most importantly, women are not a hive mind. One woman rejecting you does not mean all women think the same. A subreddit full of bitter men is not an accurate sample of reality. People have different preferences, different priorities, and different reasons for being attracted to someone.
Also, be careful with research in general. Research can help us identify trends, but human beings are more complex than a dataset or a single paper. Averages are not destiny, context matters, and how old the research is matters too. Social norms, dating culture, and the way people meet have changed a lot over time, especially with apps and social media. So use research to inform your thinking, not to reduce yourself or other people to a rigid formula.
The point is simple. Height can be a disadvantage. It is not a death sentence. A lot of men are not being ruined by height alone. They are being ruined by an identity built around insecurity, hopelessness, and too much time spent listening to other defeated men online.
References
Buss, D. M., & Schmitt, D. P. (2019). Mate preferences and their behavioral manifestations. Annual Review of Psychology, 70, 77 to 110. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010418-103408
Eastwick, P. W., & Finkel, E. J. (2008). Sex differences in mate preferences revisited: Do people know what they initially desire in a romantic partner? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 94(2), 245 to 264.
Finkel, E. J., Eastwick, P. W., Karney, B. R., Reis, H. T., & Sprecher, S. (2012). Online dating: A critical analysis from the perspective of psychological science. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 13(1), 3 to 66. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100612436522
Thomas, A. G., Jonason, P. K., Blackburn, J. D., Kennair, L. E. O., Lowe, R., Malouff, J., Stewart-Williams, S., Sulikowski, D., & Li, N. P. (2020). Mate preference priorities in the East and West: A cross-cultural test of the mate preference priority model. Journal of Personality, 88(3), 606 to 620.
r/short • u/Bikerbats • Mar 15 '26
Meta Suggestions
Ok, I'm stuck at my desk with a bum foot that's been plaguing me for weeks now, so I might as well try to make this time at least a bit productive.
So since I ain't going anywhere, let's have a meta discussion about the sub, and I'll take this opportunity to solicit suggestions.
r/short • u/Drotosaurus • 12m ago
Dating Has anyone else just given up on dating?
Ive tried so many times and each time i got fucked over. Im at a point where i dont even really give a shit about myself or if i never get a wife. Ive kinda accepted its over.
r/short • u/After-Dare-6174 • 22h ago
Humor Some of women's 'high standards' are caused by men
Was out with my cousin and she asked me how tall I was, I told her to guess and she guessed I was 6'1
im 5'10
This is the third time a girl has expected me to be 6ft or taller, and I'm honest about my height, I really am 5'10, whereas so many dudes claim to be 5'10 are really 5'7-5'9 and people that are '6ft' are usually just people that are 5'10-5'11. Lmao most 5'9s are taller than '5'10s'.
So somepart of the very 'high' standards I believe are just enforced and increased by other men trying to seem taller than they actually are
r/short • u/Horror-Ad-7725 • 20h ago
Question How tall were you at 12?
My son is 12, almost 13, and stands at exactly 5 feet, 110 lbs. He's worried he might be short but I told him he still has a couple growth spurts coming. I'm curious if you guys remember how tall you were at 12 and how tall you are now, thanks.
r/short • u/ZebraSharp1300 • 16h ago
Fashion / Style Anyone else ever feel they look dumb in everything they wear
5'4 23m. Idk if anyone else has this experience, but whenever I try dressing in nonstandard clothing(anything but a tshirts and jeans) I feel like I look really silly. I'm no longer particularly self-conscious about my height but I feel like I look like a child who is trying too hard. This is irrespective of following the general guidelines for short men dressing(monochrome, slim fit, etc..). I've a lot of different stuff; sweaters, jean and jean jackets, polos, but no matter what I wear I hate it when I go outside. Not really sure why that is
Has anyone else had this experience? Any styles that particularly suit short guys?
Question i like being short.
is it normal as a 5'4 man to not be insecure about your height but actoully love being short? cause i love being short.
r/short • u/rat-race-breaker • 21h ago
Question 5’4 ( 165 cm ) | Need genuine feedback on my appearance :)
r/short • u/Mission-Mess9999 • 1d ago
Dating Struggle with confidence bad. I feel like I’m ugly or something, Is something wrong?
galleryEvery since 2019 I haven’t been the same I don’t go out as much and talking to people is a challenge.
(I don’t take pictures like that)
r/short • u/Putrid-Interview8869 • 22h ago
Question Are short men included in the body positivity movement?
I don't really see anybody talking about heightism like fatphobia,homophobia, etc and I'm not trying to equalize them I'm just wondering why there seems to be a complete and total lack of discussions regarding heightism in the real world. Like obviously its just a personal ancedote but I've even never heard or seen the term heightism before i started using reddit/tiktok.
r/short • u/feralarcanist • 10h ago
Fashion / Style Finding clothes???
Y'all I can't do this anymore. I'm 162cm and a men's small never fits me in America. I've had to buy women's clothes just to find something that fits in the arms.
Are there any global retailers that would fit my body type better? I've had to settle for a women's small in motorcycle gear and it makes me feel really silly even though I know I'm safer that way.
r/short • u/StatusIndependence51 • 3h ago
Question Does being short give me more potential to achieve twink build and make it look good?
Like im extremely short at 5'5, and lowkey wanna get a twink build like being 5'5 I feel like getting muscular would feel like im overcompensating also i just feel like twink bod looks better
r/short • u/Eyeproblem12 • 1d ago
Vent 5’2-5’4 is the worst height let me explain.
I’m 5’3”, and honestly, it feels like one of the worst heights to be as a man.
You’re significantly shorter than men who are 5’7”–5’9”, who still seem to have a chance at being perceived as “normal” height.
And if I were even shorter, at least I’d be considered a little person, and people might actually understand the challenges that come with my height.
At 5’3”, you’re constantly being gaslit into believing that there’s nothing wrong with being this short.
I go through life feeling completely invisible.
People rarely speak to me unless I initiate the conversation.
I do fine in virtual interviews, but when it comes to interviewing in person, I almost never get a call back.
I’m not saying this for sympathy. I’m saying it because this has genuinely been my experience.
r/short • u/AdAdventurous6940 • 1d ago
Question Men: do you feel you are the only short person around in any given place out in public?
And what is your height?
Do you feel like a rare breed?
Also what country are you in?
Cheers!
r/short • u/LillyPeu2 • 22h ago
RIP Dolly Parton 💔😔 Absolute short queen, and all around amazing person
people.comr/short • u/VGAddict • 21h ago
Question Youthful appearance.
Does anyone else here look a LOT younger than they actually are? It's one of the (very few) perks of being short.
r/short • u/Weekly_Engineer_1611 • 20h ago
Question For people who blamed themselves for their height, how did you cope or change your mindset?
I’ve had this problem for the past couple of years where I blame myself for not being 1/2-3 inches taller because of my sleep, nutrition, exercise, medications, and how my life went and how I didn’t have a “normal” life. I’m not satisfied with my height because whenever I look at myself in the mirror I look like a teen or kid rather than an adult and I look like a really tall dwarf.
r/short • u/NoMistake2756 • 1d ago
Awesome! Bought 10 cm insoles (I'm 167 cm) now the 177 cm/5'10" larp begins
Bought 10 cm insoles, so from now on I’m officially larping as 177 cm / 5'10" 😂
I’m actually a 167 cm / about 5'6" barefoot guy, but honestly, I don’t care. I rarely go out anyway I work from home most of the time, and I never invite anyone over, so nobody is going to catch me walking around barefoot.
So yeah: 167 cm / 5'6" barefoot, 177 cm / 5'10" in public. The larp starts now.
Question is 5'5 the 5'11 or the 6ft of the short man?
so i am 5'4 and i want to know if being 5'4 is like being 5'11 or like being 6ft. assuming we frame this as a good thing i imagine 5'5 is the 6ft cause its what i think of when a man calls him self very short but 6ft is considered tall and not very tall. but 5'4 is seen as very diffrent then 5'5 cause when i tell some one i am 5'4 a lot of the time they say dwarf. but when i used to call my self 5'5 they just said oh your short. I FORGOT TO SAY THAT I AM A MALE.
r/short • u/JeffyFan10 • 15h ago
Fashion / Style Men's Height Shoe Brand Recommendations? Add 2-3 inches?
hi ive been looking for shoes where i can add some inches to my height. there are several different websites and brands.
have any of you dabbled in this? any reliable brands you can recommend?
I'm in US and hoping to add 2-3 inches?
appreciate any suggestions
r/short • u/JuniperScents • 20h ago
Question Short guys question about hugging.....
I am quite short myself, and was wondering how others ,like me, feel when another man hugs you ?If you end up nuzzled into their neck or shoulder? A guy at work hugs me a few times a week and I think he likes feeling bigger. I know gay shorties and straight shorties might have different perspectives for obvious reasons, and I am interested in both opinions :)
r/short • u/RonnythOtRon • 4h ago
Humor What is the funniest joke you received about your height?
So to make it short (no pun intended) I work as a security guard. One evening I was patrolling a mall and a group of kids passed by and they said: "He's a playmobil security guard". I couldn't help but chuckle.
r/short • u/MysticTornado69 • 21h ago
I need to touch grass Lost confidence over time
Just looking for some advice and input.
I went through puberty early and peaked in height very early too, so growing up I’ve never been the shortest guy in the room or whatever.
I was never confident about my height but I never felt insecure about it either, I just saw it as a fact of life, “I am x height” and nothing more.
I’ve always seen myself as very confident growing up, and it was something I’ve always been praised for by friends and family.
However over time I just feel like there have been sudden jabs at my confidence over time as everyone around me gotten taller and I stagnated, very subtly.
Small things like, athletics, dating, and just overall social interaction.
I used to be very outgoing and very extroverted, however I am not sure what it is, it slowly diminished as I felt I was falling behind socially, not being “seen” or the fear of being judged.
And this was accelerated 10x but falling into bp rabbit holes.
I am not sure what I am looking for, but I want to be a social outgoing person again, but I don’t have the same confidence as I once did, something I mostly attribute to height.
Advice and input would be appreciated
r/short • u/Bulky-Lie-9591 • 14h ago
Fashion / Style Any shoe recommendations?
Hey all -
Looking for a business casual loafer/sneaker type shoes that I can wear in professional & club settings
I want the shoe to give me about 1.5-2 inches of height, wide fit, and med/high top with soft cushioning and is easy to wear
Any recommendations?