Tall Tea: What You Didn't Know About Being Tall.

    Being tall can often feel like walking a tightrope—balancing occasional admiration with a mix of awkward and unique experiences. People usually approach me, eager to express their fascination with my height and share what they would do if they were as tall as I am. I sometimes think, "Ma'am, you know that's illegal, right?" But I keep my two cents in my pocket when people fantasize about being taller.

        As a woman standing at an impressive 6'7, I've learned to appreciate the quirks my height brings to my daily life. Being what society calls "tall" has its advantages, especially when I'm shopping. I can quickly grab items or groceries from the top shelves without assistance. Flight attendants usually feel compelled on airplanes to offer me exit seats, empty rows, or even first-class seating to accommodate my longer legs. And the most significant perk is the natural respect my stature commands from the general public.

      While society often celebrates the advantages of being tall—rightfully so—there's a hidden side filled with humorous and relatable moments that taller individuals encounter daily. This blog post will explore the overlooked experiences and unexpected challenges of having a vertical advantage.

        Without any supporting data, I can assure you that taller individuals must look up more than down for their safety. Why is that? Let's consider a simple morning walk, which I do almost daily. I specifically aim to avoid collisions with irritating threads or insects that can end up on my face. What should be a straightforward morning walk or jog often turns into a Jui Jitsu match with nature, especially in wooded areas filled with trees and vegetation. Thankfully, I've learned to navigate around trees or bend low when walking underneath them.

      Doorway entrances can also be a hassle, not to mention the moments leading up to entering a room full of people. Everyone seems to be quietly watching to see if you'll hit your head or need to duck. Countless times, I've entered rooms where choir voices appear out of thin air to harmonize "WATCH YOUR HEAD!" Despite the extra attention, I'm flattered about the collective concern for my safety, so I don't get overexcited about the extra attention my presence brings.   

      Short doorways and spider webs are just the beginning; low ceilings and hanging decorations can be frustrating. For the record, any ceiling lower than six feet should be considered a cardinal sin. Just imagine the neck massage you'll need later to relieve the knots from constantly bending down for extended periods. But between hitting my head on doorway entrances and numerous faceplants with ceiling decorations, I've developed the instinct to be aware of anything overhead because there is nothing attractive about running into signs in public.  

      Most taller women can relate to and agree with the lack of privacy in most public restrooms and dressing rooms. Sometimes, the stall doors in public restrooms are so short that I don't even bother closing them. What sort of privacy can a person have when the door is below their chest? That's my logic, anyway. At least it sometimes feels like walking into the gates of paradise when I find a fitting room or public bathroom with doors that cover my head.

      Believe it or not, the steps we use daily are sometimes tricky to navigate, depending on your shoe size. I am a proud 13 in men and a 15 in women, and I promise almost every step I encounter is half the size of my foot. What's my trick to minimize tripping up or falling down the steps? If you were wondering, I turn my foot sideways and take my time—a simple fix for a primary concern.

      In a perfect world, SUVs would be the new punch buggy, and restaurants would serve me portion sizes according to my standards. I invite every Titan and Amazon out there to embrace your unique features because humans constantly adapt, adjust, and, more importantly, evolve to the uncontrollable facets of life. No matter your size or shape, accepting exactly who you are is inevitable. My journey as a taller woman is just a tiny piece of truth that many people endure, unique to their lives. If it were up to me, toilet seats, kitchen countertops, doorway entrances, steps, sinks, appliances, vehicles, furniture, and the measurements for an average family-size home would all double in size. However, customizing my home, accommodating my needs, and having a reliable shoe company will suffice.