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Well, if this is a little person, then she was little, and if the OP thought she was cute, what's wrong with that? I see plenty of...uh....big people..whatever, other adults who are cute. In your world, that makes me a bigot because I might think someone is cute. And yes, I've even said that some grown adults are little and cute because they ARE, and I'm not talking about this "little people" business.
You're making this in to something it's not. So was the OP in her original posting. You saw someone you thought was little and cute, you smiled. Big deal.
You should find that person and apologize for your Micro Aggressive behavior. I would recommend sensitivity training given by a cultural specialist. Preferably a Little person. You did nothing wrong, it was a reflex reaction and you probably made the person smile a little.
I was out today and saw a Little Person, and I smiled at her. Not a huge, toothy smile but just a little smile like I do when I walk past a cute kid. The problem is that this was an adult, and I probably wouldn't have smiled at her had she been normal sized. Not to say that I don't ever smile at other adult strangers, but I know that I just naturally smiled at her because she was cute and small. I did catch myself and stop smiling because I didn't want to offend her. Do you think it's rude to smile at Little People? Is it better to keep a neutral expression so that they won't be offended? I don't run into Little People very often, but it'd just be good to know for next time.
Smiling at children is one thing. And yes. The problem is that this was an adult.
I would suggest that you do what ever you do when an adult passes you on the street. Because that is what this person was and is - and adult.
I was out today and saw a Little Person, and I smiled at her. Not a huge, toothy smile but just a little smile like I do when I walk past a cute kid. The problem is that this was an adult, and I probably wouldn't have smiled at her had she been normal sized. Not to say that I don't ever smile at other adult strangers, but I know that I just naturally smiled at her because she was cute and small. I did catch myself and stop smiling because I didn't want to offend her. Do you think it's rude to smile at Little People? Is it better to keep a neutral expression so that they won't be offended? I don't run into Little People very often, but it'd just be good to know for next time.
You questioned yourself for your actions. So...that tells you something. If your reaction hadn't bothered you in some way you would not have posted this. So somewhere inside you, you know maybe it wasn't correct.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweet Like Sugar
Do you think it's rude to smile at Little People?
If you smiled at her because you were being friendly--that is good.
If you smiled at her because she was cute and small---that part makes me cringe.
You asked...I am just telling you my opinion. You might not like my answer, but you asked the question . Yes, it is rude if you are doing it because they are "cute and small" <---your words.
My mother is 89 and is very cute. People often smile at us when we are out running errands and will sometimes speak to us. It is all wonderful and we both appreciate friendly people. However there is a grocery store I take her to and a few of the cashiers make a big deal out of her gushing "look at her, Linda isn't she so adorable did you see her earring and necklace? So cute!!" It kind of annoys me it's how I would act around a cute baby, but it doesn't seem to bother her, her hearing is not great so I think she just sees their smiling faces and the attention but doesn't hear the actual comments.
Yeah, well lots of people have ingrained bigotry. It's common.
That sounds unnecessarily judgmental. To assume, at first glance, that a person under 4 ft tall is a child, is a reasonable assumption that has nothing to do with bigotry. I'd say that 99,999 out of 100,000 times that I've seen someone of that size, it was indeed a child, so OF COURSE that is how my brain will interpret an extremely short person AT FIRST GLANCE. And that's what happened with OP.
BTW, I don't live in Po-Dunk, in fact I've lived in lots of cities large and small, but I've only personally known one Little Person, and I don't recall ever seeing any other.
OP, I don't see that you did anything wrong. Not sure why it's bothering you.
That sounds unnecessarily judgmental. To assume, at first glance, that a person under 4 ft tall is a child, is a reasonable assumption that has nothing to do with bigotry. I'd say that 99,999 out of 100,000 times that I've seen someone of that size, it was indeed a child, so OF COURSE that is how my brain will interpret an extremely short person AT FIRST GLANCE. And that's what happened with OP.
BTW, I don't live in Po-Dunk, in fact I've lived in lots of cities large and small, but I've only personally known one Little Person, and I don't recall ever seeing any other.
OP, I don't see that you did anything wrong. Not sure why it's bothering you.
Thanks, it's not really bothering me. She smiled back so she didn't seem offended, but I'm sure she's gotten reactions and stares during her lifetime, so I just didn't want to make her feel self-conscious.
Little and cute doesn't equal thinking of anything as a child :/ That's like saying an adult 4'11'' is thought of as a child if they are called little and cute.
Little and cute doesn't equal thinking of anything as a child :/ That's like saying an adult 4'11'' is thought of as a child if they are called little and cute.
She said she thought of her as a child. Little and cute just like a child. Ummmm. The woman was grown and deserves respect and dignity. I don't think smiling at someone is so bad. But her rational that she was little and cute is offensive.
Does she look at pity at all people who use wheelchairs too. Because sweet as sugar thinks their lives must be sooooooo hard.
It's just not ok.
Smiling is fine. Holding on to "i am right for doing it because was is little and cute" isn't.
One of my kids is below average height. People always notice her because of how well spoken she is compared to the age she appears to be. She's gotten extra attention because of her tiny size ever since she was old enough to walk. By now she's used to the people who smile at her...she prefers that to the ones who want to pat her or the ones who just stare at her.
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