Do Women Prefer Taller Guys Over Better Looking Guys?

[Gza]

I was talking to one of my exes today and we ended up on the subject of her new boyfriend. I'm not really sure why I still talk to her, since we still aren't on the best of terms (typical I'm sure). Anyway, we ended up discussing the differences between the physical attributes of her new bf and me. She had said that I was more handsome, but he was taller, and therefore more attractive. I'm 6'0" even, and have never really been called short, so this struck me as puzzling. Not to say that I'm tall either, but I just wanted to know if this is really a general consensus among women. Do women generally prefer a taller guy over a better looking guy?

 

[mooberrymarz]

I like guyz that are tall, they don't have to be very good looking.. I am just not attracted to guyz that are shorter or the same height as me. can't explain why. Thats just me, most of my friends are the same, howvere my best friend likes guyz shorter than her coz she thinks she can "dominate" them more esily. go figure..

 

[Monique]

She might feel more protected with a taller person and thus finds it more attractive. I don't consider it an issue. Also: being on eye level can be good :)

 

[marlon]

Being a tall guy, let me give you some inside information on short guys...

It is a very well established fact that short guys are more likely to be frustrated because of their limited height. As a consequence of this they tend to become more and more difficult to live with when they age. this is the reason that most of the women are NOT attracted (I don't want to use the word repulsive,...) to them.

Trust me most of them shorties are very unhappy with their posture. Why do I know this? Both my parents work in psychiatric institutes and most of their patients are short guys...

regards
marlon

 

[Monique]

I don't agree, I dated guys that were shorter than me and they were the most self-secured people. Ofcourse there is short and short, but there is also tall and tall. I see someone much taller than me as unattractive: I'd rather date the same person an inch shorter than me (although an inch taller than me would be perfect).

 

[marlon]

I don't agree, I dated guys that were shorter than me and they were the most self-secured people. Ofcourse there is short and short, but there is also tall and tall. I see someone much taller than me as unattractive: I'd rather date the same person an inch shorter than me (although an inch taller than me would be perfect).

Yet you state that an inch taller then you would be perfect, right ?

If you really had the choise, you would go for one inch taller

regards
marlon

 

[Monique]

Sure, I rather have someone an inch taller than me than a head taller But as I said: I don't see it as an issue. If you really like someone that's the last thing you'd consider

 

[marlon]

Sure, I rather have someone an inch taller than me than a head taller too tall is not good either.

ok, got it...

 

[The Bob]

I woldn't worry about it too much. Height should mean nothing. I am 2 metres tall (or 6' 6") and my girl is about 5' 8" ish. Nothing wrong with us.

The Bob (2004 ©)

 

[marlon]

I woldn't worry about it too much. Height should mean nothing. I am 2 metres tall (or 6' 6") and my girl is about 5' 8" ish. Nothing wrong with us.

The Bob (2004 ©)

Quasi the same here. I am 1 meter 90 and my girl is 1 meter 70

 

[Moonbear]

Tall is not a substitute for attractiveness, though for some women it is part of what they consider attractive, so it all bundles together. Personally, I've ALWAYS been more attracted to shorter men. But for me, it's the whole package that matters most. Looks alone don't really get me all that interested in a man...I could look at a guy and say, "Ooh, hot body!" but wouldn't be the least bit interested in dating him for it...for me, it's all about attitude and intellect...I like the slightly geeky ones, and the geeks always seem to know how to treat their women well

 

[marlon]

Tall is not a substitute for attractiveness, though for some women it is part of what they consider attractive, so it all bundles together. Personally, I've ALWAYS been more attracted to shorter men. But for me, it's the whole package that matters most. Looks alone don't really get me all that interested in a man...I could look at a guy and say, "Ooh, hot body!" but wouldn't be the least bit interested in dating him for it...for me, it's all about attitude and intellect...I like the slightly geeky ones, and the geeks always seem to know how to treat their women well

Then the women should be really happy. It is raining geek-men inhere


regards
marlon

 

[The Bob]

Then the women should be really happy. It is raining geek-men inhere

Indeed it is.

The Bob (2004 ©)

 

[Dooga Blackrazor]

I prefer to be called a Nerd. If everyone would get out their PDA's and note that please... Thanks :)

I think height may seem more important to some women because they've been exposed the idea of good men being the stereotypical "tall dark and handsome" persona.

 

[Kerrie]

Being a tall guy, let me give you some inside information on short guys...

It is a very well established fact that short guys are more likely to be frustrated because of their limited height. As a consequence of this they tend to become more and more difficult to live with when they age. this is the reason that most of the women are NOT attracted (I don't want to use the word repulsive,...) to them.

Trust me most of them shorties are very unhappy with their posture. Why do I know this? Both my parents work in psychiatric institutes and most of their patients are short guys...

regards
marlon

most short men i have known have what i call "little man syndrome"...they have bad attitudes and a temper (from what I have experienced)...my spouse is 6'1" which is 11 inches taller then me

 

[The Bob]

I don't think it affects most women too much. If a male is too much taller than I think, if it was me, that I would feel more insecure because they could do anything. A height difference at a young age is better as the children are more used to each other.

It shouldn't matter too much but that is me.

The Bob (2004 ©)

 

[gravenewworld]

LOL I must be in trouble then if what marlon said earlier is true. I'm a guy and I'm short, 5'5"-5'6". Stupid asian genes.

 

[marlon]

LOL I must be in trouble then if what marlon said earlier is true. I'm a guy and I'm short, 5'5"-5'6". Stupid asian genes.

gravenewworld, don't worry , you will be the exception that states the rule...

regards
marlon

pardon this poor black humour

 

[selfAdjoint]

I see nobody has mentioned an issue that used to be important. Maybe it no longer is. Heels. If the lady adds four inches to her height with spikes, she winds up towering over a guy who was her same height when she was in stocking feet. And this could cause tensions to build up. It was also worse in the old days because we danced face to face and holding each other. It turned out to be acceptable to both parties if the lady could nestle her head on the guy's shoulder, which required a certain height ratio.

 

[Evo]

I'm only 5'3", so everyone is taller than I am. Funny, my brother married a girl from Norway recently and she's several inches taller than he is.

Height is not that important to me in a man, actually a man can be too tall for my liking.

SelfAdjoint, girls still wear heels when they dress up, but the past few years also had those platform shoes back in fashion. I can be 5'10" in a pair of platform heels.

 

[Jin314159]

Gza,

Your predicament echos a similar situation that I was in a while back. This girl left me for another guy who was taller than me, but I was more handsome than he (this fact has been objectively confirmed by outside sources).

Wearing Doc Martin men's boots helps make you taller. It adds like 2 inches to your height.

 

[Entropy]

I'm 6'2" and 17. My little sister is 14 and 5'11", she hates being tall so much, she thinks it makes her look ugly.

 

[fisipavia]

LOL I must be in trouble then if what marlon said earlier is true. I'm a guy and I'm short, 5'5"-5'6". Stupid asian genes.

Don't worry. Tall or short...That's relative. It depends in which part of the world you are.
When I was in Europe everybody keep telling me that I was "soooo short", when in my country I was normal...in fact, I was the taller girl at work.
If it makes you fell better, you are taller than Kerrie, Evo and myself...ahhh...and my sister married a guy with those "stupid asian genes"

 

[The_Professional]

I'm 6'0" even, and have never really been called short, so this struck me as puzzling. Not to say that I'm tall either, but I just wanted to know if this is really a general consensus among women. Do women generally prefer a taller guy over a better looking guy?

Generally, yes they prefer a taller guy. But if you're short you have to make do with what is handed to you. Do people enjoy having you around? Are you outgoing and fun to be with? do you have a sense of humor?..etc
Height shouldn't concern you that much if you possesses a good personality

By the way, 6 feet is tall so don't buy what your ex is telling you. That's just her way of letting you down easy.

 

[Moonbear]

most short men i have known have what i call "little man syndrome"...they have bad attitudes and a temper (from what I have experienced)...my spouse is 6'1" which is 11 inches taller then me

I've run into plenty of tall men with bad attitudes and tempers. There's no height limit for that. Actually, most of the short men I've known don't have such tempers as the taller men...I think because they know they can't win in a fight with a bigger guy, so they learn to talk their way out of things, which I find much more desireable. But I'm short and spunky myself (I'm even shorter than Evo...I'm only 5' 2"), so if they try to have too much attitude around me, I'll put them in their place quickly enough

 

[Kerrie]

i am also 5'2" and i suppose i am just speaking from my own personal experiences with short guys...the tall ones don't seem to have a self worth issue...but in general, height is not an issue when i am getting to know someone...

 

[BoulderHead]

I wonder if male forum members tend toward above average height. From what I've read in these forums the men are quite often over 6'.

 

[Moonbear]

Or they're all exaggerating since we don't have a ruler around to check up on them

 

[Dagenais]

Is there a way to actually physically gain height (safely)?

I typed in, "How to get taller" on Google to see what would come up.

This did.

Basically, there is no other way aside from popping pills?

 

[The Bob]

Look, no one worry about your height. I am 6' 6" and 16 years old. I mean if that isn't pushing it I don't know what is. I still have a good 5 years of growth left.

I have to catch a plane on Tuesaday and I have to ask for a Bulk Head Seat for my legs.

The Bob (2004 ©)

 

[Monique]

Is there a way to actually physically gain height (safely)?

They can add an inch or so to someone by surgically breaking their legs, holding them apart until new bone grows in between. It's extremely painful since every day or so they stretch it a little further

I guess growth hormones in food unknowingly has been making people larger.

 

[cragwolf]

most short men i have known have what i call "little man syndrome"...they have bad attitudes and a temper

I take such perceptions of attitude with a grain of salt (and that includes my own perceptions). Is it a bad attitude or a realistic take on life? Is it a temper or is it natural frustration? Well, if it's a short guy, then it's a bad attitude and a temper. If it's a tall guy, then it's a realistic take on life and natural frustration. That sort of (il)logic is more common then you think, and happens to a varying extent to everyone. If, for instinctual or irrational reasons, you prefer tall men, you are going to see them in a nicer light. You aren't going to judge short men fairly. The same thing happens to men when it comes to "beautiful" women. Just ask an "ugly" woman how unfair men can be.

I think it's bleedingly obvious that short men are at a disadvantage in the mating game. So are fat men and fat women. So are "ugly" men and "ugly" women. The point is, how are you going to alter your instinctually and culturally derived behaviour to take these obvious facts into account? Are you just going to ignore them, and act like there's a level playing field for everyone? Then you're one insensitive and/or deluded b@stard/b1tch. Or are you going to try and be fair, give everyone a chance, or at least show some sympathy for those who have a difficult time finding partners in the genetic disco. There's too many people wearing blinkers! They need to .

 

[Dooga Blackrazor]

I'm was either 5'8 or 5'9 last time I checked. I'm currently 16. I'm hoping to be at least 5'10.

 

[Moonbear]

Is there a way to actually physically gain height (safely)?

I typed in, "How to get taller" on Google to see what would come up.

This did.

Basically, there is no other way aside from popping pills?

You could walk on stilts, stand on a ladder, always make sure taller people were standing downhill from you...

There's a fair bit of controversy in the scientific community, even about the efficacy of growth hormone for peripubertal children. (peripubertal = around the time of puberty) It seems some parents really get worried if it looks like their children might be short. The problem is, at best, these children might gain an inch or two more than if they did nothing, but since everything is based on a prediction of how tall they might grow, and it could just be that they are those people who would go through that late growth spurt around 19 or 20 rather than at 15 or 16, it's really hard to know for certain the growth hormone has done anything at all. And I have serious doubts of the safety of manipulating hormones to that extent in young person during puberty. If you manipulate one hormone, it can act on so many systems and down-regulate other hormones. Keep in mind, you have to give whopping doses of growth hormone to get any effect. If you give a low dose of any hormone, you really don't get any overall change because your own production will slow down (negative feedback) to accommodate that dose, and maintains homeostasis. So, any external dose that actually increases a hormone concentration is usually high enough to actually shut down your own production of the hormone and then replace back everything you normally produce and then some. To do that to a teenager just to help them grow an extra inch or two seems barbaric.

But, yes, unfortunately height seems to matter that much in our society to make this acceptable. Being a short woman, I know I am conscious of this. If I have an important meeting where I need to be seen as authoritative, I will wear shoes with thicker soles and a little bit of a heel to add a bit of height. I'll stand and sit straighter, and stand at a distance that I can look directly at them without having to tilt my head up. I've known people who have power control issues to do things like keep their desk chair higher than all the other chairs in their office, so anyone coming into sit down is automatically on a lower level than they are (the wise people prefer to stand when dealing with someone like that). Even in US Presidential elections, the winner is almost always the taller of the two candidates. Something about height seems to register as equivalent to authority.

 

[Kerrie]

The point is, how are you going to alter your instinctually and culturally derived behaviour to take these obvious facts into account? Are you just going to ignore them, and act like there's a level playing field for everyone? Then you're one insensitive and/or deluded b@stard/b1tch. Or are you going to try and be fair, give everyone a chance, or at least show some sympathy for those who have a difficult time finding partners in the genetic disco. There's too many people wearing blinkers! They need to .

as i mentioned before, i am speaking from my own personal experience, and calling names really isn't convincing me that your point is a rational one either by the way, how tall are you ?

 

[Gza]

most short men i have known have what i call "little man syndrome"...they have bad attitudes and a temper

I've noticed this mostly from shorter men in positions of authority. My current boss is around 5'5", and he seems to obtain pleasure from making my life hell . I know that he is also very insecure about his height, since I always see him wearing shoes with these crazy "man-heels" that make him almost my height. So I guess the "little man syndrome" you mentioned really comes from the insecurity of the individual being projected as anger toward everyone else.

 

[Gza]

I think it's bleedingly obvious that short men are at a disadvantage in the mating game. So are fat men and fat women. So are "ugly" men and "ugly" women. The point is, how are you going to alter your instinctually and culturally derived behaviour to take these obvious facts into account? Are you just going to ignore them, and act like there's a level playing field for everyone? Then you're one insensitive and/or deluded b@stard/b1tch.

Why would you alter your "instinctually and culturally derived behaviour" to prefer an undesirable mate? The phrase it truly played out by now, but why not; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I see skinny women as unattractive, which tends to go against the cultural definition of feminine beauty. So does that make me a deluded "b@stard" since I choose to prefer females who fit my instinctually derived preference?

 

[Dagenais]

Look, no one worry about your height. I am 6' 6" and 16 years old. I mean if that isn't pushing it I don't know what is. I still have a good 5 years of growth left.

If you get to 6'9, and you work on a good jump shot you can join the NBA!

I've noticed this mostly from shorter men in positions of authority. My current boss is around 5'5", and he seems to obtain pleasure from making my life hell .

Call him Thumbelina, and tell him you'll shove his heels about his ass if he continues bothering you.

He'll be so surprised he'll have a new found respect for you!

Or, he'll fire you.

Worth the chance.

 

[gravenewworld]

If you are born short than so be it, I would not want to alter my height at all. If you did you would look like a freak, your arms, and torso would be out of proportion to your legs.

 

[Kerrie]

I've noticed this mostly from shorter men in positions of authority. My current boss is around 5'5", and he seems to obtain pleasure from making my life hell . I know that he is also very insecure about his height, since I always see him wearing shoes with these crazy "man-heels" that make him almost my height. So I guess the "little man syndrome" you mentioned really comes from the insecurity of the individual being projected as anger toward everyone else.

exactly! but to be fair, not all short people have this attitude, it just seems i have encountered several in my experience...

 

[cragwolf]

Why would you alter your "instinctually and culturally derived behaviour" to prefer an undesirable mate? The phrase it truly played out by now, but why not; beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I see skinny women as unattractive, which tends to go against the cultural definition of feminine beauty. So does that make me a deluded "b@stard" since I choose to prefer females who fit my instinctually derived preference?

Nowhere in what I wrote do I see a call for people to change their preferences. What I do see is a plea for people to try and be fairer, give everyone a chance, or if that's not possible, just show some sympathy for those who tend to get left behind (and alone).

 

[cragwolf]

as i mentioned before, i am speaking from my own personal experience...

I would hope so! But it seems my point was lost on you. I simply do not trust perceptions of character, particularly when sexual attraction (and repulsion) is in the air.

and calling names really isn't convincing me that your point is a rational one either

Read more carefully, I wasn't calling you any names.

by the way, how tall are you ?

Depends how fast I'm traveling with respect to you.

 

[cragwolf]

I've noticed this mostly from shorter men in positions of authority. My current boss is around 5'5", and he seems to obtain pleasure from making my life hell . I know that he is also very insecure about his height, since I always see him wearing shoes with these crazy "man-heels" that make him almost my height. So I guess the "little man syndrome" you mentioned really comes from the insecurity of the individual being projected as anger toward everyone else.

Oh, please, spare us the pop-psychology! OK, so your boss is a b@stard. What do his physical characteristics have to do with it? If I said the same thing but focused on skin colour instead of height, I would rightly be branded a racist. And what's wrong with wearing "man-heels"? So that automatically makes him have the "little man syndrome"? So, I suppose all women who wear high heels have the "little woman syndrome"? Or all women who wear makeup have the "ugly woman syndrome"? Or all men who grow a beard have the "something-to-hide man syndrome"? What utter b0llocks!

 

[BoulderHead]

Hi, I'm new here and have SPD (Short Person's Disease)

At first I wanted only to own a wheelbarrow or other piece of machinery

Now I won't be content until all your base are belong to us!

 

[Gza]

And what's wrong with wearing "man-heels"? So that automatically makes him have the "little man syndrome"? So, I suppose all women who wear high heels have the "little woman syndrome"?

You can't really compare the two situations. Women wear high heeled shoes because they look attractive in them. Society is really the reason why men don't wear heels and women do; or women being allowed to wear skirts, and men not having this privilege. I'm not really sure why this is all new to you.

Nowhere in what I wrote do I see a call for people to change their preferences. What I do see is a plea for people to try and be fairer, give everyone a chance, or if that's not possible, just show some sympathy for those who tend to get left behind (and alone).

Being sympathetic for the groups of people we've been discussing (mainly short men) seems to imply there is a problem with them, and we must shower them with artificial sympathy to level the field. I see this as more disrespectful than simply treating them equally as human beings. There have been numerous successful shorter men that have overpowered their physical shortcomings (no pun intended, really) with talent and personality. Every human being alive has some sort of aspect of themself that would seem disadvantageous, and it is truly up to them to make the best of it, instead of seeking external artificial sympathy from other people for what they lack.

People even tend to hold those who overcome their physical disadvantages in greater esteem than someone who had the advantage in the first place. Just ask Muggsy Bogues, Tyus Edney, Spud Webb, Damon Stoudamire, and Dana Barros, along with the multitude of sub 6'0" tall NBA players who have made, and are still making a huge impact on the game today. Spud Webb in fact at 5'7", won a dunk contest over the contest favorite Domnique Wilkins at 6'8". He didn't whine about having everyone treat him equally, he damn well ripped the approval from all his doubters.

 

[cragwolf]

You can't really compare the two situations. Women wear high heeled shoes because they look attractive in them. Society is really the reason why men don't wear heels and women do; or women being allowed to wear skirts, and men not having this privilege.

I certainly can compare the two situations. They don't have to be absolutely identical to be comparable. Why do you think some short men wear heels? To be ridiculed? Because they're insane? No, they wear heels because in a society where male attractiveness is correlated with height, they believe that it makes them more attractive. Simple as that.

Being sympathetic for the groups of people we've been discussing (mainly short men) seems to imply there is a problem with them...

Stop right there. See, whenever you perceive an implication in what someone is saying or writing, you are treading on unstable ground; it's best to focus on what someone has actually said, rather than treat what they've said as some secret code to be cracked. There is no problem with short men (I never said that, so forget the seeming implication). The problem lies in how society perceives and treats them, especially relative to non-short men.

...and we must shower them with artificial sympathy to level the field. I see this as more disrespectful than simply treating them equally as human beings.

But that's just it. They're not treated equally as human beings. There is no level playing field. Notice in my posts that I don't actually say that we should ignore height considerations in choosing partners, and treat people equally in that respect. I know very well that instinct and culture and conditioning make it very difficult (maybe impossible) for us to be fair when we choose our partners. Given that fact, I simply suggest that we should try to be fairer. Don't automatically rule someone out because they're below a certain height. Give them a slight chance to win you over with, oh, say, their personality!

The rest of what you wrote has very little do with the specific topic of height in the game of love, so I'll ignore it, but I will say one thing. The idea that sympathy is disrespectful is laughable, and is possibly an idea that salves the conscience of unsympathetic and insensitive people. We humans love and crave sympathy, especially during difficult times. Life is very tough, and sympathy is very hard to come by. It's one of the reasons we seek soulmates. If we were all more sympathetic, this world would be a much better place. Of course, there's always a danger that sympathising can turn into patronising, but that's an overstated problem, and the warm and healing effect of sympathy is worth that small risk.

 

[jimmy p]

OK the Bob had now scared me... jeez that is tall.

I'm never going to be 6' because of my heritage... the average height of men in Gibraltar is about 5'5". I'm about 5'9-5'10. It sucks, all of my friends are taller than me. I'm always on tiptoes to see things that they can see. And of course, they are noticed first

 

[The Bob]

OK the Bob had now scared me... jeez that is tall.

Hehe. I still have about 5 years of growing to do. Did mean to scare you but no one has tried to bully me in years. It is great.

I'm never going to be 6' because of my heritage... the average height of men in Gibraltar is about 5'5". I'm about 5'9-5'10. It sucks, all of my friends are taller than me. I'm always on tiptoes to see things that they can see. And of course, they are noticed first

I wouldn't worry about it. Short people are just as fun and wanted. Just imagine me (6' 6") and my girlfriend (5' 8") together. That is quite funny but I start to feel more like a father than a boyfriend. , which isn't fair.

The Bob (2004 ©)

 

[Kerrie]

I would hope so! But it seems my point was lost on you. I simply do not trust perceptions of character, particularly when sexual attraction (and repulsion) is in the air...
Read more carefully, I wasn't calling you any names...
Depends how fast I'm traveling with respect to you.

not going to give your height? mine is 5'2", and considered short for a woman i would love to know yours, or would it prove my conclusion of short men?

 

[Jeebus]

SelfAdjoint, girls still wear heels when they dress up, but the past few years also had those platform shoes back in fashion. I can be 5'10" in a pair of platform heels.

They have heels that go up to 7 inches? Woah! I didn't know that.