Why is it acceptable to call someone skinny or bony but rude to call someone fat

1. 64

   woahthereposted 10 years ago

   Why is it acceptable to call someone skinny or bony but rude to call someone fat?
   
   Hypocrisy at its finest,  what's your take?

   replyreport
2. 73

   Aime Fposted 10 years ago

   I think because skinny is generally seen as the "ideal," at least at this point in time. It's probably assumed to be a compliment if someone calls another person skinny.
   
   But, I agree that commenting on someone's weight either way is probably not a great idea unless you're saying something broad like "you look amazing!" and leaving size out of it.
   
   I have a friend who is extremely thin and she gets comments on it all the time and it really upsets her. People of all different shapes and sizes have insecurities about their bodies.

   replyreport
   1. 64

      woahthereposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Good point , just compliment the person not their weight because weight doesn't define beauty.

      replyreport
3. 99

   Gabriel Wilsonposted 10 years ago

   The individual being called skinny might not find it acceptable at all. My sister is very thin and she hates people calling her skinny. In fact she gets rather upset. And I have a chubby friend that doesn't bat an eyelid at being called fat. She says herself what is the point of being upset, she's fat and she knows it and she's happy. Perhaps we are all a bit fickle minded at times, however having said that I don't think it's necessary to make comments about the size or shape of other people's bodies, we're better off just looking after our own.

   replyreport
   1. 64

      woahthereposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      It depends on the person but what most people seem to ignore is , everyone isn't  thick skinned and it can follow that person for life resulting in eating disorders.

      replyreport
4. 85

   M. T. Dremerposted 10 years ago

   I have to agree that I don't think it's acceptable to call someone skinny or bony. It's just as likely for a thin child to get a complex about size, as a fat child, because both are rude comments about one's appearance that can quickly escalate to bullying. As Aime said, the best response is to say someone looks good, rather than labeling specific sizes. And I think we should all teach our children that as well.

   replyreport
   1. 64

      woahthereposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Respect starts at home and if it's not taught it will definately show. That is why most of the time people look at the parents for wrongdoings of the child.

      replyreport
5. 72

   dashingscorpioposted 10 years ago

   
   
   You've made an excellent point! It is hypocrisy to say calling someone fat is rude but calling someone skinny/bony is not.
   There are lots of people who have problems trying to gain weight. There are products geared towards them and they don't consider being skinny to be wonderful. No one wants to be called bony!
   It's also insulting to say "Real women have curves." Just because a woman is thin doesn't mean she's not a "real woman". I'm not sure when the size of woman determined whether or not she is "real".
   Our society has swung the pendulum so far back in an attempt to build one group of women's self-esteem we're trashing another group. You shouldn't need to insult others in order feel good.
   We also see similar examples of this when it comes to beautiful women as well. Many folks will see such a woman at the gym or wherever and call her a "bimbo" or "airhead" without having met!

   replyreport
   1. 64

      woahthereposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I have actually seen that statement thrown around on social media and it gets to me as a petite woman. I agree with you , it's like the crabs in a barrel effect trying to reach the top while stepping on someone else.

      replyreport