Is being called "skinny" as bad as being called "fat?"

[disenchant]

It's obviously rude to go up to someone and say "Oh my God, you're so FAT! You should stop eating cake!"

But people seem to think it's OK to come up to me and say "Oh my God, you're so skinny! Go eat some cake!"

My guess is that in this society, being skinny is looked upon as being good while being fat is not. But I think most guys would prefer a girl with some curves over one that is a sack of bones. So while I am not completely offended that people call me "skinny" I do think it's just as rude as calling someone fat.

What do you think?

[Sonic_Death]

I am 5'11" and weigh 118lbs, so I am pretty skinny as you can imagine. People comment about it all the time, sometimes just in jest and good faith, other times it can be annoying and not welcome.

Being called skinny a lot can have consequences just as an overweight person may be called "fat". There are troubles from being skinny too.

[jsbass]

Originally Posted by disenchant

It's obviously rude to go up to someone and say "Oh my God, you're so FAT! You should stop eating cake!"

But people seem to think it's OK to come up to me and say "Oh my God, you're so skinny! Go eat some cake!"

My guess is that in this society, being skinny is looked upon as being good while being fat is not. But I think most guys would prefer a girl with some curves over one that is a sack of bones. So while I am not completely offended that people call me "skinny" I do think it's just as rude as calling someone fat.

What do you think?

Skinny is usually used as a compliment. I don't think you would really prefer to be called fat over skinny, so why complain?

[KeithBMI]

I like being called skinny.

*edit* I voted for the heroin model.

[jomahu]

no. it's not.

look at any tv show/magazine/internet bass forum . everyone viewed as hot is always skinny.
i mean, everyone jumped on the carrots thread yesterday, calling this woman all sorts of hurtful names (you included) simply because she was overweight. there's your answer.

[Baryonyx]

It's just as rude, I guess.

[bryan bailey]

I think it is unfair that people can be called skinny and its okay, or even a complement, yet if you call someone fat you're an a-hole, that just bugs me, I hate it when people go on about how skinny I am, I know.

btw I'm 6'8" and weigh about 160, I am the definition of skinny.

[disenchant]

Originally Posted by jomahu

no. it's not.

look at any tv show/magazine/internet bass forum . everyone viewed as hot is always skinny.
i mean, everyone jumped on the carrots thread yesterday, calling this woman all sorts of hurtful names (you included) simply because she was overweight. there's your answer.

I think hot people aren't skinny OR fat. Usually hot models have curves, and hot male models have muscles. They aren't "skinny." And a skinny person can also get all sorts of jokes their way, such as anorexic or bulimic sack of bones.

I make fun of everyone, I don't discriminate.

[mattofash]

Its just as bad nowadays theres a huge obsession with being skinny so if you call someone skinny and then they put on the slightest bit of weight theres a real possibility of them thinking that they are now fat and starving themselves, or worst case possiblly anorexic or another disease

[Big Hungry]

I think what people say about you is more a reflection of the person saying it than a reflection of yourself. I am a very large man and many people balk at the prospect of me going on a diet because they say they like me the way I am. Also I work with a man who is married to a Brazilian woman. One day she commented on my size and even though I have come to terms with it, what she said still offended me. Untill my manager (who is Columbian) explained to me that in some south american cultures what she said is not an insult. more of a compliment becaue that meant that she was noticing me. People more or less point out traits in others that they wish they had themselves. I don't think the answer is as simple as "yes it is also offensive".

I think the fact that you are a woman disqualifies you from making statements or asking questions about image.

[jomahu]

not to state the obvious, but i must remain true to form

a dude getting judged on his weight is different from a chick getting judged.

[Big Hungry]

Originally Posted by jomahu

not to state the obvious, but i must remain true to form

a dude getting judged on his weight is different from a chick getting judged.

Why?

[Bryan316]

There's a difference here in percieved ranges, I think. What's considered a healthy range, and what's considered an unhealthy range, and then what's considered a FREAKISH range.

Examples, Nicole Ritchie and Chris Farley. Both in the freakish, extreme ranges.

I'm not fit. I'll tell ya flat out. I need to drop 20 pounds. Neither is my friend Dave. He needs to gain 20 pounds. But neither of us are in the freakish range. His bones don't stick out his skin and I don't have seven chins.


I dunno. Sometimes, everyone sees a person who just needs to put down the 5th cheeseburger or eat five cheeseburgers. Yes, it's rude to say so, either way. But once people get into the freakish range, they just gotta get some help. Some intervention. Some outside opinions to counteract their flawed self-images. Somebody has to be that rude, to make them see that they need help. Cuz no matter what you think, THAT person thinks you're rude for mentioning it, even when their own health is at stake. I know people who think anorexia or bulemia can't possibly be a disease, or extreme obesity can't be genetic, it's all just in their head. EXACTLY. In their head. A psychological issue. And they CAN be helped.

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by disenchant

It's obviously rude to go up to someone and say "Oh my God, you're so FAT! You should stop eating cake!"

But people seem to think it's OK to come up to me and say "Oh my God, you're so skinny! Go eat some cake!"

My guess is that in this society, being skinny is looked upon as being good while being fat is not. But I think most guys would prefer a girl with some curves over one that is a sack of bones. So while I am not completely offended that people call me "skinny" I do think it's just as rude as calling someone fat.

What do you think?

Yes, you getting called skinny is just as rude as people getting called fat. Hell, I'm sure there are 100's of fat chicks out there who have spent their whole lives getting teased and made fun of about their weight and have had to look at magazine after magazine wondering why the "nice clothes" arn't made for them, who are ready to sympathise with you about the hard life you must have being "skinny". You guys should form a club together.

[jomahu]

Originally Posted by Big Hungry

Why?

i wish i knew.

[KeithBMI]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Yes, you getting called skinny is just as rude as people getting called fat. Hell, I'm sure there are 100's of fat chicks out there who have spent their whole lives getting teased and made fun of about their weight and have had to look at magazine after magazine wondering why the "nice clothes" arn't made for them, who are ready to sympathise with you about the hard life you must have being "skinny". You guys should form a club together.

That's my 5th sarcasm meter this month that you just broke.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Yes, you getting called skinny is just as rude as people getting called fat. Hell, I'm sure there are 100's of fat chicks out there who have spent their whole lives getting teased and made fun of about their weight and have had to look at magazine after magazine wondering why the "nice clothes" arn't made for them, who are ready to sympathise with you about the hard life you must have being "skinny". You guys should form a club together.

Captain, we've got some movement on the sarcasm detector. What are your orders?

EDIT: Keith beat me to it.

[KeithBMI]

Haha. Weird.

[casualmadness]

I think it's probably equally offensive.

[RED5]

I was skinny once, no one said a word, I'm sorta fat now and no one says a word, I was in between once too, and no one noticed. I gotta get out more often.....