Tall people consistently have an advantage over short people in many societies. There are times when society overlooks the needs of short people. Despite what many people believe, there are benefits to being short. People who are short should be aware of their disadvantages. But they alter their personalities in order to appeal to others. The majority of short people are enjoyable to be around because of their exceptional personalities. If you’re tall, learning how to communicate with people who are shorter will help you understand them better.
Essentially, there is no set way to communicate with short people. The best way to communicate with short people is to treat them the same way you would any other person. Since you two are people, you should show each other respect. When conversing with short people, there are some things you can and cannot do.
Talking to people who are short
Here are some guidelines to remember when conversing with people who are considerably shorter than you:
1. Move a few steps back
When conversing with short people, moving back one or two steps will help you make eye contact. Maintaining eye contact is simpler at a greater distance. In addition, it ensures that the shorter person won’t strain their neck when speaking with you.
2. Avoid squatting
You shouldn’t crouch, bend over, or kneel down to talk to someone who is short. Ideally, you should stand straight when speaking to someone who is short. They will feel equally as a result. You might find that bending, kneeling, or squatting is appropriate. In a public setting, it makes them feel more conspicuous, which alienates them. Additionally, it might make them feel insulted and like a child.
3. Avoid bringing up their structure/ Reminding them they are short
People who are short are aware of their height disadvantage. Because of this, they will always be the first to move forward in a group photo, even if no one explicitly instructs them to do so. Therefore, do not bring up their height when speaking with them. They’ll feel insulted by it, and some might respond with more insults. You two might not end up talking about anything helpful.
4. Avoid assuming anything.
Some people frequently believe that shorter people cannot or cannot perform certain tasks as well as taller people. Think about a basketball court as an example. It would be incorrect to assume that this person can only play football because of their height but cannot play basketball.
5. Avoid using slurs. Avoid calling short people names that will make them feel denigrated when you first meet them. Stay away from names like teeny, tiny temper, babydoll, midget, munchkin, mini-me, and munchkin. Use their first or last names when addressing short people if you want to treat them with respect. That will start the discussion. Additionally, it will stop you from wasting time berating one another.
6. Listen.
Tall people sometimes have a tendency to think of themselves as superior to those who are shorter. They will often dominate conversations, which is one reason why. Nevertheless, pay more attention if you don’t want to offend a person who is short. A simple but effective method of connecting is by listening to someone else speak. A two-way street is required for communication. Listen more than you talk.
7. Feel their pain.
When others express sympathy for them, short people are delighted. They feel more at ease in your presence. If you have empathy, you will be able to relate to their struggles and how they are attempting to overcome them. You can communicate with a short person on their level if you can empathize with them. It provides them with a setting where they can express their ideas without fear of judgment or criticism.
8. Be watchful of your nonverbal signals.
Body language will always play a role in interactions between two or more people. Make sure your nonverbal cues don’t insult a short person when you’re speaking to them. Additionally, keep an eye out for nonverbal cues from them that suggest they are uncomfortable with the subject you have brought up.
You might unintentionally bring up a subject about short or tiny things, for instance. You’ll start speaking out of turn as a result. But no matter what subjects you cover, always learn how to gauge the impact of your words.
9. Permit them to discuss themselves.
When conversing with short people, it is best to remain non-judgmental by provoking them to talk about themselves. When someone is prepared to listen to them speak, it helps them feel at ease and valued. It keeps you from passing judgment on them when you ask for their thoughts and opinions. You can also comprehend their needs and desires by doing this.
You can see questions and answers on quora also to find out how can you talk with short people
Shortness’s psychological effects
In essence, size is very important. Being short can have a variety of negative effects on a person’s mental health. For instance, being short can have psychological effects such as paranoia, distress, and sacredness. A person who is shorter than average may also feel unworthy. It is one of the causes of their short stature, which gives them an inferiority complex. That may result in aggressive behavior to make up for a person’s diminutive stature. Therefore, always speak to young children in a way that makes them feel at ease in your presence. They will become hostile and disrespect you in unthinkable ways if you show them that you don’t respect them.
Respect is the best way to communicate with short people. When speaking to them, avoid using terms like midget, mini-me, or smalls. Instead, call them by their proper names. Additionally, it will be rude to bring up their height in conversation. Ask them first before making an assessment of their skills based solely on their height.