Does Height Matter?

Everybody lies.  Especially when it comes to filling out an online dating profile.  Women tend to shave off a few pounds and embellish their physical build– wouldn’t you? – while men overestimate their height and income.

It’s no big secret why we do this.  We want to appear as sexy and desirable as possible.  And since the majority of men say they want to date a woman who is slim while the bulk of women state they want to date a man who’s over 6 feet, might as well try to make the cut – online anyway.  Right?  So we lie and perpetuate these impossible standards.

Meanwhile, at 5’3” and 153 pounds, the average Canadian woman is definitely more curvy than slim and at 5’8 ½ and 180 lbs, the average male is no Adonis, either.  Oh, and in case you’re wondering, Mr. Average makes about $40,000 a year.  Not bad, but nothing to brag about and not exactly the Prince Charming we’ve been conditioned to hold up as the ‘desirable standard’.

So, why do we keep doing it?  Why hold ourselves and our potential mates to impossible standards?  We all know weight matters a hell of a lot more to us girls than it actually does to the guys we date.  They check the ‘slim build’ box because it’s what they think they should be looking for.  In reality, most guys would rather date a curvy girl than one that’s a walking coat rack.

Do you really need to date a guy who’s over 6 feet?  Come on.  If you’re approx 5’3” or 5’4” don’t you think you should give guys who are 5’5” and up a chance?  You’re missing out on at least half the male population by limiting yourself to some impossible ideal.

And, short guys are sexy!   Kanye West (5’8”) and Joaquin Phoenix (5’8”) both made Hollywood’s Top 50 sexiest Male Celebrities list last year while Eminem (also 5’8”) is at the top of the Top 10 Sexiest Male Rappers’ list every single year.

Not into rappers and moody actors?  How about whip smart, charming and funny guys like Jon Stewart (5’7”) and Ryan Seacrest (5’5”)?  Or sweet crooners like Nick Jonas (5’8”) and Justin Bieber (5’4”)? And finally, if it’s money you’re after don’t believe the old wives tale that says tall men make more money.  Just ask Tom Cruise (5’7”), Prince (5’4”) or Bill Gates (5’8”) if being under 5’9” ever stopped them from raking in the dough.

Take it from me.  A man’s height has nothing to do with his looks, charm, generosity and sense of humor.  Dating a ‘short’ guy is wonderful.  And not wearing heels all the time will let you say goodbye to sore feet, lower back pain and that kink in the neck you get from looking up all the time. 

Relationships are about equality. Wouldn’t you rather see eye to eye – literally –than spend your time looking up?

~ Meline

Meline Nadeau (5’6 ½ “) is Oh So Cosmo’s supervising producer.  When she’s not working she enjoys photography, yoga and hanging out with the love of her life (5’7”).