People come in all shapes and sizes, but unfortunately, that doesn’t stop others from judging them based on their appearance. In fact, one study found that 57% of adults had experienced some form of weight-related stigma, including discrimination or teasing.
One Threads user asked fat people to share the worst microaggressions they’ve faced, and they had plenty of stories to tell. From uncomfortable encounters at work to rude remarks at the grocery store or doctor’s office, their responses show just how insensitive others can be. Find them below.
#21
On Thanksgiving: "Are you sure you need seconds?" When they're on their third plate, but it's okay, because they're thin.
11points
#22
Someone was describing something and used the word fat, then rolled her eyes over to me and said, “Oh, I forgot you were here. Sorry I said fat.”. Zero expression on her face. Like, I know I’m fat. I’m not going to cry because you used the word. But that side comment had my hackles up.
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11points
#23
When someone sees you eating fruit or a vegetable, "Ooh are you being good?"
10points
#24
The nurse (male), taking my weight, said “looks like somebody ate a little too much pizza this weekend.”
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10points
#25
Walking Taco day at my job. I came back for sour cream because I forgot it. Boss puts in Teams to “Make sure everyone gets a serving before getting second.” I was coming to eat my actual lunch and my boss was like “Let everybody eat, please” the moment I came in when I was nowhere near the food.
9points
#26
Worked with a girl with the same name as me. She was much thinner. Found out everyone called her the “pretty” Rebecca while I was just Rebecca.
9points
#27
The look of shock when they see I have a partner that loves me; and they automatically think he is a saint to love a poor unfortunate fat soul.
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9points
#28
being told my weight was “unprofessional” and we’ll lose clients if i don’t work on myself.
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9points
#29
My doc assumed I had no idea what calories were, tried explaining it like I was 5, and then told me 1000kcal/day was healthy.
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9points
#30
Never finding a comfortable bra because if you’re fat you must have big cups.
8points
#31
LOTS of MACRO aggressions... micro.. maybe the Dr. who I went to for over 20 years NOT putting the bigger gown and the bigger BP cuff in the room before I got there.. but instead making me say "I think you need the bigger one" EVERY TIME (even after I said, this is humliating, maybe a note in the chart?) still did it.
8points
#33
Every "you'd be so much prettier if you lost weight" that I've heard since I was 5 years old?
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8points
#34
Any place that only has those industrial-style steel chairs with arms. They are hideously uncomfortable for anyone with even a slightly wider backside.
7points
#35
One time my boss emailed our office manager asking her to get my tshirt size from me bc I “may be uncomfortable putting it on the shared spreadsheet.” Plot twist: he sent ME the email on accident instead of her.
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7points
#36
I was sick with a severe infection, it caused me to lose ten pounds in a week, instead of being incredibly concerned my doctor congratulated me on my weight loss.
7points
#37
My grandmother talking up how great my sisters looked and then turning to me and saying “and you have such a pretty face”. She wasn’t a mean person and probably meant it, but whoa, knife to the heart.
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7points
#38
When my colleague always finds a way to refer to my weight. “Oh you remind me so much of my friend, she’s a big girl like you.” this has happened multiple times.
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7points
#39
Most annoying: When seeing a doc for something unrelated, he told me to “eat less fast food.” He did not ask about my diet and at the time I hadn’t eaten any fast food in months.
Most common: When I use “fat” as an objective descriptor, most recently during a blood draw when I said maybe the reason I’m a hard stick is because of the fat on my arm, the person replies “No! You’re beautiful!” Like, I did not say those were mutually exclusive! But you clearly think they are!
Most common: When I use “fat” as an objective descriptor, most recently during a blood draw when I said maybe the reason I’m a hard stick is because of the fat on my arm, the person replies “No! You’re beautiful!” Like, I did not say those were mutually exclusive! But you clearly think they are!
6points
#40
Airplanes. Those seats are tiny af and those seat belts are short. While I'm grateful for the extenders, I hate the idea of anyone, no matter their size, being stuffed into a tiny seat. Who wouldn't want a roomier seat?
6points