Last week while at work my feelings were hurt due to some comments a girl had made regarding my weight and yes these are adults! My two assistance's and I were in my office talking about buying new uniforms for work. At my lunch time I had went out and bought some new uniforms, so I decided to show the girls. While I was holding a pair of uniform pants up another employee approached my office door and said, "Who's big pants are those." I didn't know what to say, I just looked at her and put my pants back in the bag. I just thought to myself, when did a size medium become big. This is an example of micro-insult. She intentionally approached me and put me down. This gave her power because she is smaller than me and she made me feel so bad about myself. This really hurt me because I have battled with weight my whole life and she has know idea what I have been through. My first reaction was thinking of things to say back to her, but that would only make me as low as her and I don't want that.
I have seen this week that people at times really don't realize how their words and actions hurt people. Words have so much power and they can destroy people's self-esteem and dignity. Hurtful comments and actions are hard to forget and they stay in the back of people's minds causing them to constantly judge themselves. I have also noticed that a lot of people do and say things to make themselves look and feel better. The truth is that they are jealous or have low self esteem themselves. I try to see the good in all people and try to treat people the way I would like to be treated.
Britanie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your example of a microinsult that you have experienced. I bet it was not easy to share with others. I agree with you that people can be quiet insensitive when it comes to things like weight. I never really been overweight and would not claim that I know what it is like to struggle with something like weight. However, I also do not commment on others cloths sizes. I hate when people say things like "oh, you look thin today" or "oh, you look nice today." Don't these statements imply that we usually don't care what we look like?
Hi, Britanie,
ReplyDeleteNot only was your co-worker flinging a hurtful microinsult but she was passive aggressive with intent to be hurtful. I would think she is being a bully in your work environment. I had bariatric surgery a year ago and used to wear a 2x, your medium size is below the national average of a size 14 which usually runs large!