Have someone recently commented about your height? Tall, short, or average height? Sometimes height is the first thing we can see when we see someone new. I for one, am always getting comments (I am not sure if I should call them compliments) on my height. I have always been very tall. In fact, from pre-school up until grade 4, I have been the tallest in the class. In grade five and six, I have been second tallest in my class. Anyway, I think that people can guess your age by judging your height. It is not exactly a bad thing to do because we all do it. But I know someone in my grade that is the average height of a grade 2, but he still runs faster than me. You would not guess he is in Grade 6. That guy is also better at basketball than the tallest girl in my class Isabella. People often say that Isabella would be great at basketball, but she always says it is not about the height, it’s about the skill! I agree (though I am pretty good at this sport myself). The point is, our judgemental selves sometimes look at someone’s height, or physical appearance, and decide right away their age or maturity. I bet everyone is guilty of this.

There are a lot of advantages of being tall. The one I think is great is that you can reach things easily and do not need to use so much effort to look at or reach things taller than you. Also, when I go to see someone who I haven’t seen in a while, the first thing they say is “oh dear you’ve grown so much”. Then they guess my age and are one or two years off. It is fun to watch them think I am older than I am. Some tall people find they are respected and taken more seriously because they are towering over someone. This is not officially true but it works sometimes. This does not mean we should only respect those that are tall. We should show equal respect and care to everyone. We need to take people’s feelings in to consideration. These are my main 3 reasons of loving being tall.

I don’t find many disadvantages of being tall, but I happen to know some cons that do not bother me! First, if you grow quick, or are very tall, it can be hard to find clothes that are good especially if you are growing super-fast. You may be buying new things every month. Some people may feel self-conscious or left out about their height towards friends because they find it weird to be having to look down. Many people don’t feel this but there are a lot of people who do. Another thing is that you can actually get pain in your long legs. This happens to me.

One thing that is really an advantage and disadvantage is that you stand out. The advantage to that is that it means that you are noticed in a good, unique way. But, sometimes you just want to blend in and it can be hard to do. Also, sometimes it takes a lot of effort to bend down; it is probably the taller ones who get back pain. In my opinion it is better to take standing out more has an advantage.

The last observation I made, is that you stop growing after a certain age. Some people say you stop at 20, 18, 16 or 13 years old. Whatever it is, one day you will stop and the shorter ones may catch up or even over take you! A person I met was once a very tall person. Then she stopped growing taller and now she would be considered short. Some people believe coffee stops or slow your growth. I don’t know if it’s true, but I’ll stay away from it just in case. People around the world are of different shapes and sizes, and this is an example: height! I love how on picture day they arrange us in sizes. But I do wish they could switch it up from time to time. The main point I would like to tell you is that no one should be respected or cared for less or more for because they are small or tall. I enjoyed sharing my ideas about height to you.

Maxine Mutasingwa