The average male height in Singapore is apparently 173cm tall. I’m around 182cm tall, which is taller than ~85% of Singaporeans. Plus, I’m only 19, so there’s a possibility that I have a couple of years left to grow even taller when I become a full-fledged adult. The problem is, I don’t really want to get taller, as I’m already facing these everyday struggles of being a tall guy in Singapore with my current height, though it does come with some perks too.
*Disclaimer: This is for comedic purposes only and not to shame anyone, tall or short.
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Ironically, back in secondary school, I was one of the shortest guys in my class and only slightly taller than the girls, which made me feel inferior. Hence, I decided to undertake a mini training routine. This included jumping 30 times every day before my meals, and a lot of stretching on pull-up bars, as I heard that could elongate your spine and “lengthen your frame.”
In just 2 months, to my delight, I grew by more than 15cm. But, as I soon found out, maybe that wasn’t such a good decision after all. Being a tall guy in Singapore comes with its own set of struggles.
Image adapted from: Khoo Yong Hao
Most people are familiar with walking with their heads on a swivel to be aware of their surroundings. For me, I have to do that plus always crane or jut out my neck down to avoid hitting things like the roof of buses and MRTs, which has happened several times. I also get hit by the swinging MRT or bus handlebars in the eyes when walking, making me look like an idiot.
Solution: Wear a cap so that you have a layer of protection when hitting your head.
Image adapted from: Syahiran Sean
Another problem while being on the move is the lack of legroom in any sort of transportation. Usually, my knees will be stabbing at the back of the seats even when I lean as far back as I can to create “more room”. I also can’t cross my legs or move them around much in general, so more often than not, I end up staying rigid.
Solution: Sit at the back of the bus or at the elderly-friendly seats during off-peak hours, as those have more legroom. Or, you can also just stand during the commute, which will force you to improve your posture by standing upright. You can also opt for the emergency row seats instead of paying for business class when booking flights.
What I didn’t realise before I underwent my training arc was that every body is different and in my case, it will only elongate my already thin body. Even when I was short, I was quite a skinny guy, so forcing myself to be taller just exacerbated my thin frame further. I do get teased quite a lot, even in poly, with names like “slenderman” or “stickman” being common calls.
Image adapted from: Brad Lee, Syahiran Sean
During NDP in primary 5 my English teacher even said I looked like a coolie, but looking at it now, I have built up quite an immunity to being the butt of jokes. I realised that if you let their words affect you, people will just taunt you further, so the solution is to just ignore or go along with it.
Solution: It takes two to tango, and you can’t expect to fill out your shirt without working out. If you’re a broke student like me, hit up any ActiveSG gyms for free or sign up for cheap gym packages. You can also build your own home gym if you can afford it. Read our article on how this writer used weightlifting to beat anorexia for some inspo.
Image adapted from: Syahiran Sean
As a result of my tall and slender frame, most people will assume that I have a big appetite, which I do. I love to eat, and will literally stuff myself with anything if it means putting on some weight, even edible insects. The slightly annoying thing with that is that I’m always being told and almost expected to eat more, whether it’s at Hari Raya gatherings or meetups with friends.
If I don’t eat, it will lead to them making remarks that a thin guy must eat more, and if I’m already full, I must continue to take more servings to get bigger.
Solution: Eating non-stop isn’t fun, but there are better ways to get your calories in. Take protein powders to “drink the calories” and make gains without feeling like you’re going to vomit every time.
Image credit: @singaporeslingers via Instagram
Every time I meet someone for the first time, they tend to ask me irritating stereotypical questions like if I spent my free time at basketball courts. I actually spend my weekends playing in futsal courts, but even then, I’m pressured to play as a goalie or defender just because of my long arms or legs, although I really hate those field positions.
Another fan favourite question: “Is the air different any up there?” Usually, these questions are harmless, but I do get tired of them, as it will usually lead to people making remarks about how for a “sporty person”, I don’t look very fit since I’m quite skinny. Ouch.
Solution: If someone asks you if you play basketball, try asking them if they play miniature golf; that will usually get them to stop talking about your height.
Here, my legs were spread out super wide and I was slouching, yet there was still a noticeable height difference.
While I don’t absolutely tower over people, the difference is still clear to see. I like to make eye contact when talking to someone, but if I talk over them, it may seem like I’m “looking down” on them. I am quite an introverted person too, and the feeling that I’m imposing myself over others with my so-called “vertical superiority” makes me want to avoid talking to the person.
What I usually do is spread my legs out wide to appear shorter. If there is something to lean on, I will just lean on the MRT or bus stop poles so my friend and I can be on an even level while talking. My desk is beside my supervisor’s, so I set my chair to the lowest setting, so it doesn’t make it look like I’m too dominant when beside her.
Solution: Just accept that you are taller than most, and instead use that to boost your confidence when conversing with others, instead of overplaying these situations in your head. Read our article on conversation tips so you can be confident whenever, wherever, and with whoever.
Taller peeps have longer limbs, which means our bodies must put in more effort to perform any movement, as they “travel” a longer distance. This makes exercises like push-ups or sit-ups harder for me to do, as I take a longer time to do them. So, I don’t do as well in my IPPT test for those stations as compared to my shorter peers, who can pump out endless reps while I’m there struggling for dear life.
Solution: Tweak your mindset from “it’s too hard for someone like me” to “if it’s harder, then it will only make me stronger and strengthen my fortitude”. Furthermore, think of how attractive a tall guy will look if he is also muscular and use that as motivation to jumpstart your fitness transformation.
Right before this picture was taken, my photographer told me to sit up straight, although I’m still slouching a bit here. Old habits die hard I guess.
As my spine is longer than most, I often fall into the mistake of slouching, which over time leads to poor posture. In my defence, I think it’s because standing up straight requires a lot of effort for the back muscles to work together, so people like me just take the easy way out and slouch, not knowing of the consequences.
Why isn’t this machine any taller sia? Oh right, it’s for kids.
It doesn’t help that I’m always hunched over typing away at my phone too, which exacerbates the issue and gives me a protruding neck. I also tend to accommodate and bend down slightly to reach for things like a control panel in arcade games. I actually had scoliosis for a while because of this, although fortunately, that issue is now gone.
Solution: There are many back pain remedies out there, as well as common back pain causes to take note of. Plus, there are many easy exercise stretches you can start doing from the comfort of your own home to avoid back pain from constantly slouching.
Due to our longer strides, we tall folks cover a longer distance than shorter peeps in just a single step. Now, this may seem like a perk, and it is when you’re trying to rush somewhere. But when casually walking with friends, I often have to walk super slowly so that I don’t have a sudden 50m lead and they say, “Why you always walk so fast one ah, relax man.”
Solution: Use the slow walking pace to instead focus on standing up straight and maintaining a good posture while you walk, taking your attention away from the walking pace.
Image credit: TheRufmeisterGeneral via Reddit
When I’m in crowded areas like Orchard Road or even on the MRT, I have no problems looking at the signs. When watching the latest flick at movie theatres or attending concerts in Singapore, I don’t have to deal with people’s silhouettes blocking my view, although people behind me may have to deal with that. Too bad, so sad.
Another useful trait is that I’m able to help others reach for things in high places. Whether it’s books on library bookshelves or groceries at supermarkets, I am able to lend a helping hand to any auntie or uncle out there. I also know when the top of the fridge needs some dusting, which leads to less nagging from my mom.
Although being tall makes me feel slightly awkward around shorter strangers, it makes me feel more confident around people I know. Back in secondary school, where there was the annual height-taking test, the boys would compare their heights, and in sec 3 I was one of the tallest – another boost of confidence.
Image credit: Syahiran Sean
Likewise, when talking to other tall people, I’m confident as I can see eye to eye with them, or don’t have to crane my neck just to get in their frame. I had the chance to meet some football legends a while back, and I did not feel nervous despite their status. If anything, I felt quite empowered and was able to shake their hand with a firm grip and engage in some small talk.
When you eat enough food to feed a whole village but your body just
burns it all off anyway.
Image credit: Raewyn Koh
My fast metabolism and frame make it almost impossible for me to gain a lot of weight at once, let alone get fat. A doctor even once told me it’s medically impossible for me to be overweight. So, in social situations with friends, I will order around 3 meals for myself, and they will remark “I wish I could eat this much but I’ll get fat.”
So, I do feel somewhat grateful that I can fulfil my hedonistic eating desires with no consequence, while others have to embark on bland diets.
When girls are short, there are elegant terms like petite to describe them. But when guys are short, their confidence and aura immediately drop. I have had short friends look at me and wish they were my height, because apparently just being 6 foot tall is the key to finding love on dating apps.
The stigma is so widespread that the term “short king” was coined by the internet, a backhanded compliment. If you ask me, I’d rather be tall than short, although, upon further reflection, beyond height, it’s really the personality of the person people seek; height is just the first impression. And if someone doesn’t like you just because you are short, then it shows you how superficial they are.
While there may be fewer pros than cons, I realised that there are many ways to overcome these struggles, especially relating to my weight. The fact that I felt inferior and insecure when I was short and tall shows that it’s more in my head.
Image credit: Campaign to Stop Tom Cruise from playing Jack Reacher via Facebook
After all, Tom Cruise is only 172cm tall, yet portrayed Jack Reacher, who is 196cm tall in the source material, showing how height isn’t the be-all and end-all.
Even in Singapore, you’ll find cases where a 1.46m-tall army officer gets awarded the sword of honour – another testament that height isn’t allat.
Image credit: r/tall via Reddit
I’ve tweaked my mindset to be more grateful, seeing that some men will go so far as to splurge money to forcefully break apart and lengthen their limbs to grow taller. They then take months to recover to even walk again- all just to be taller. That seems quite ridiculous to me, and if anything, just magnifies your own insecurities.
After all, it’s only in your head and most people are too busy caring about themselves to pay attention to your “flaws” anyway.
There is good and bad for everything, whether you’re tall or short, but what matters most is how you respond to it, which is why for the most part, we have provided solutions to these so-called “problems”. Would you rather be tall or short?
For other perspectives, check out:
Cover Image adapted from: Em Loza, Khoo Yong Hao
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