JN

I'm with TexasAggie on this one: the intolerance shown here is amazing. Substitute a racial group or, god forbid, negative comments about Paris, and the poster would be immediately reviled. Yet kicking fat folks is ok.

I don't have a weight problem and I often held similar views--until someone I cared about contracted a condition requiring medication that gave way to immediate and large weight gains. Nothing she could do, and she tried everything, resulted in weight loss. As I understand it, many people are in a similar situation. Frankly, even if they aren't, who am I to spew mean-spirited bile their way? It seems to me that both in general, and when we don't know a person's situation, we'd be a better place if we held our negative stereotypes and spiteful comments to ourselves.

Robespierre

1 percent = 1/100
.1 percent = 1/1000
.19 percent = 19/10,000

FlyFish

Robes - you are absolutely correct. Does that make my argument 10 times better?

GreenDragon

Just curious, margy, and not meaning to hijack the thread -- how did you lose the weight, and how long have you kept it off, if you don't mind me asking? That's how much I weigh and need to weigh - 300 to 150!

flanneruk

FlyFish:

When did Yahoo get bought by a British company?

The story you're getting so excited about comes from a US-owned site. I've no idea what nationality the editor is: you're coming out with the racist stereotyping.

TexasAggie

Hi GreenDragon,

I'm not margyb, but my DH's aunt recently went from 321 pounds to about 175 pounds via gastric bypass surgery. Since then her diabetes symptoms have completely disappeared. It is pretty serious surgery though.

By the way, I am a huge fan of your website. Your beadwork is exquisite!

Underhill

Fine. I hate smokers. I hate people who run red lights. I hate people who don't look both ways before crossing the street while holding a child's hand. I hate people for the evil things they do, but not for the way they are.

BayouGal

OMG, I didn't give them permission to use that photo of me??!!!

Madison

GreenDragon - I know we aren't suppose to advertise on Fodors but what is your website, I would love to look at it.

Also, it's true the most discriminated people in the US are those with a weight problem. I have never known anyone to get down on their knees and pray and say "Thank you God for making me fat." No one wants to be that way. There are other issues involved. It can stem from being unhappy, feelings of being unloved, feeling unworthy, etc. I have been down that road myself. I have battled weight for as long as I can remember. Some years back I lost a lot of weight and have kept it off, but it's a constant battle. We all have something we have to deal with on a daily basis.

If an overweight person eats a piece of cake it isn't going to jeopardize anyone else's health. If a person lights up a cigarette they certainly are jeopardizing other people's lives.

TexasAggie

Hi Madison,

www.greendragonartist.com

Check out the beaded halter top... just amazing!

GreenDragon

Thanks Texas -- both for the info and the website plug (my fans!)

And it has a travel portion too, so it's on topic

Carrybean

I can't own a scale because I was severely anorexic to the point that my earlobes even got too thin to have clip-on earrings stay on. (Yes, you actually can lose weight in your earlobes.)

I could stand to lose about 15 lbs now but I have to be careful. I must say though, that I would much rather be around a decent obese person than any who make nasty cracks about anyone's weight or physical appearance.

Everyone's got something with which they're dealing but cruelty has never helped anyone. And it's never a synonym for wit or irony.

wren

Obese and overweight people wear their problems on the outside...their problem is more obvious to the casual observer than the alcoholic, pedofile, adulterer, bipolar, depressed, etc. If I had not had a friend who was always feeling "less than" because of her size, I would probably not have known what it feels like to go through life discriminated against because of the way you look. Think, before you point the finger at someone. Is there something negative about yourself that you hide? An obese person does not have that luxury. Their problems are much deeper than overeating.

parisonmymind2

I am American and overweight and manage to fit in the enclosed MRI (better resolution) for an annual picture of my brain tumor. I walk, exercise, work, travel and do not consider myself handicapped. Other than a brain tumor and Mysthenia Gravis, I am healthy. Care to walk a mile in my shoes? Probably not. Would I like to be thinner? Yes. Do I appreciate the intolerant people who show such prejudice against the chubby to obese? No.

I guess, to some, I'm a Florida fattie - though I have never used a scooter to get around.

I'm sure that a lot of people who are so rude to the overweight insist that they are not prejudiced. "Oh no, not me."

I'll probably regret posting this, but I can't help myself (my apologies in advance). I usually do not reply to this kind of thread, but there's always a first time.

Neil_Oz

During my long-ago schooldays fat children were ridiculed, tormented, invariably nicknamed "Fatty" and never picked to join any sporting team, not even cricket. This treatment was cruel and no doubt scarred the fat kids for life, but it provided an admirable and effective incentive for the rest of us to avoid becoming little porkers ourselves (not that there was much likelihood of that, given that walking and biking were almost universal modes of transport and few parents could afford what junk food there was. There seems to be a disturbing trend towards treating obese people as just another minority group, almost as though they've made a valid life choice. I feel for them (and I confess to now being overweight myself), but I doubt that these tender expressions of support are sending the right message.

Guenmai

I'm so sick and tired of this weight bashing of Americans. I've been traveling/vacationing around the world, annually, for over three decades and there are a lot of overweight/obese people in a LOT of countries.. I hear this weight bashing a lot, especially in Europe...as I lived in a certain country...of which I won't name...part of the year for over 20 years of whole summer stays...All of this talk...talk...talk...about the overweight/unhealthy Americans as they puff away on their cigarettes...even in hospitals. I couldn't even get away from it...the smoke... while visiting a very sick friend in the hospital. So,I guess excessive cigarette smoking is healthy? Please...give me a break....Happy Travels!

massagediva

Greendragon,your work is gorgeous!