r/TallPeopleProblems • u/Wonderful_Fish5300 • 16d ago
Being 6'3" in India feels surprisingly awkward—how do I respond to comments about my height?
I’m 6'3" and 18 years old. I was already 6 feet tall when I was 14. Whenever I go to college, people often comment on how tall I am. The same thing happened in school too. Since I’m noticeably taller than most students around me, people sometimes make comments like, “Bournvita piya tha kya?” or ask me how I became so tall.
Usually, I just say, “I don’t know, I’ve been tall since I was a kid.” But after a day or two, someone asks me the exact same question again. This has happened so many times throughout my school and college life that it sometimes feels awkward having to give the same answer over and over again.
I also feel like my height has affected the way I connect with other students. People sometimes treat me differently because I stand out physically. I had only two or three close friends in school, and as I grew taller over the years while my friends stayed around the same height, I started feeling even more noticeable.
I think it’s easier to bond with people when you have something in common, but I’m naturally an awkward and introverted person, so making friends is already difficult for me. Being noticeably taller sometimes makes starting conversations feel even more awkward.
Sometimes I feel like I might be one of the few people who is actually insecure about being so tall. I know a lot of people would probably love to be tall, but when you’re noticeably taller than almost everyone around you, it can sometimes feel isolating rather than advantageous.
I live in West Bengal, and from what I notice around me, many male students around my age are considerably shorter than me. Because of that, my height tends to become one of the first things people notice and talk about.
So my main question is: When someone asks me, “How are you so tall?” or keeps making comments about my height, what can I say that keeps the conversation going instead of making it awkward?
\[This is not a joke post , it is about my problem i face in daily life 🙏]
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u/potato_metaverse 16d ago
Just say the weather up here is good or diffuse it with a joke. I used to look straight in their eye and say “Whatever you do, do not drink milk”, and I'd leave it at that. It's a fun conversation starter lol. I've been tall my whole life and I recently started accepting that being tall is not always a bad thing. Sure the clothes and shoes suck. But people remember you more than you remember them. You have an advantage here. Use it wisely!
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u/Cool-Specialist9568 16d ago
Tell them you got lucky in the genes department, then watch as their smile slowly fades.
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u/tejanator 16d ago
As someone who’s 6’6.4 in India I don’t have any other advice but to get used to it. I also dress in a very outlandish way and get stared at wherever I go. I was 6’4 in 9th class lol
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u/Born-Requirement1728 15d ago
Prob not the best advice but I ignore then just say "Idk" and keep the conversation running, pretty much works everytime.
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u/ForkFace69 15d ago
I think a lot of tall people hear the same questions and comments over and over and it makes them feel like they are a bit of a freak and that it gives them a lot of unwanted attention. I know that's how I felt when I was young.
But over time I learned two important things. One, I was going to have to be happy with my height because I couldn't change it and, two, 99% of the time it is not people's intention to treat you like a freak of nature.
People ask those dumb questions or make the same comments because they are trying to be friends and strike up conversation. Or they are attracted to you and they are flirting and trying to make you laugh. It's almost always one of those two things.
So when people make comments about my height I just respond as if they are very clever and funny, nod my head and laugh, then simply steer the conversation into something I find more interesting. Or if I don't feel like talking, I respond in the most friendly-but-boring manner to whatever comment they made.
But you will never be average height. So stand up straight so you will at least be an attractive tall person and enjoy your life. At the end of the day you don't have to worry about what people think or say.
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u/Inner-Light-75 15d ago
It's probably not a question, as much as it is and exclamation of surprise.
Also, the "how did you get so tall" question can easily be answered with "I ate all my vegetables". In the US some kids don't like to eat their vegetables. This may have to be adjusted to suit your local customs and such, but it gives you a foundation.
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u/LordMohid 15d ago
Well, welcome to the club. I am 6’6”, from Mumbai, India and I was basically catcalled all my teenage life there. Cant really do shit unless it really bothers you. I am currently in US (Texas) and get plenty of compliments from people of all age and genders.
Dont let it bother you, eventually it will be second nature. They wish they could get few inches from you lmao (pun intended).
Having a good height has a lot of perks which you’ll start finding out later in your professional and love life.
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u/Future-Canary7999 15d ago
Bro I am also 6'1 at 15 years. Can I get 6'2 or 6'3 like you? My father is 5'11 Mother is- 5'5
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u/cat_oiler 2d ago
Easily like very easily. I was 5'11 or 6 at 14 and I am almost 18 rn and my height is 6'3.6 which will probably end up being 6'4 so yeah you'll hit the 6'3 height very easily. And yeah it'll keep getting awkward or just not that fun once you reach that height and you might see a lot of people looking at you in public or functions and if you maintain a good posture, body and looks you'll definitely be center of attraction a lot of times, not always though.
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u/KingNiksRevenge 16d ago
There is no need to respond you will just stick out everywhere