My feelings about a previous hot thread (the one that caused so many to lash out at fat people) is that it really deserved some new focus; thus a new thread.
The REAL losers are the bigoted, self-righteous, cynical fools that have nothing better to do than denounce fat people! YOU are the real trash... Try looking in the mirror at YOURSELF... beyond your own physical reflection, and then you will hopefully see somebody who is far less than perfect!! Still have trouble seeing the real you? Well, you are MUCH more of a sad by-product of today's society than are overweight people. While most of you undoubtedly learned your rude ways from your parents, I'm sure your values are re-enforced by Howard Stern, MTV, etc. Such redeeming lives all of you must lead. So now you spread your trash-talking on a travel forum, no less. And spare me the bullshit of "why did you post then, if it's irrelevant"? YOur callous remarks at least deserve a response.

Dear Dave...FYI
I just wanted to remind you this is a travel forum about TRAVEL not insecurities...(yes, I am overweight also but who cares!)......Peace.

Dave,

I agree wholeheartedly. Kindness costs nothing, and I'm always amazed at how little compassion some human beings have. I've been a size 22 and I've been a size 12, and people definitely treat you differently when you look the way they think you shuld.

I'm not saying obesity is a good thing, but meanness is worse! People shouldn't overeat but they should also not drive drunk or fast, snort coke, smoke cigarettes, do dangerous sports - but they choose to anyway, so think of that before we all get on our high horses about somebody else's "sins," like eating too much.

Yawn.
Let this thread die as it is. An uninteresting, pointless diatribe on hang-ups, insecurities and pet peeves.

Yes, some people are cruel. Yes, some people are nice. That will never change.

Now, can we get on to travel? Please?

Dave, you must separate out the subject from the meanness. Yes, some people can't discuss weight without being mean. But if you look at it objectively, many of the posts on teh thread you are talking about were well-reasoned and intriguinng, so maybe you'd best focus on those. Oh, and you don't make a good impression by calling people "losers", "fools", "trash", "bullshit." The pot must be careful in how it addresses the kettle, no?

You know what they say, "Takes one to know one." Lashing out at people whom you feel are "lashing out" has a strange air of ridiculous hypocrisy about it. You can't control people, you never will, ignore what you don't like, post travel-related questions and answers, or hey, here's a thought, LEAVE if it's all too much for you, buddy.

people... Dave & Ellie have hit it right on the head. You all should come off your high horses. Give obese people a break and start to look at the real issues. Look at the real cause/effect situations in America today. Does '10 Billion served' ring a bell? Doesn't a big part of the reason lay in the fact that kids today are being brought up on McD's and other fast food crap as a staple part of their diet? It all starts at the top, my friends. We're talking millions of $ in advertising and marketing specifically aimed towards kids. Kids are eating this crap at record levels today. The little toys that they give out are nothing more than junk bait to get the little- kid- herds to head for the Golden Arches. Given enough of this type of psychological conditioning will get the little ones hooked in no time.
Sadly, high rate obesity is the result of all of this.

Feel better Dave??? Was it really necessary to lash out??? IMO, you are a type A personality waiting for a heart attack to happen. Chill out Dave and don't sweat the small stuff. Who cares what others think of you on a travel forum? You do not even know these people! Is is worth it to get yourself all in an uproar????

Well, Im standing so what's next. Is there some kinda prize. Do I have to stand here for very long. OK will sombody please tell that fat guy to sit down because I can't see.

Being extremely fat and travel DO have something in common--the fact that space is limited on trains, heavy people move more slowly, tend to sweat more profusely, eat most of the time, and usually don't fit properly in their seats, when they walk by, they bump you, step on your feet (owch!) etc. In theatres, their arms lap over your arm rest, thighs in you lap at the opera, and they take up the entire isle at the supermarket. I am sincerely sorry for people with this disability, but it is theirs to deal with. If two seats are required to fill the bill, then two should be purchased. It is not the public's problem to support and yield to everyone's extra need. The world is build around the "average" person--schools, playgrounds, airplanes, trains, sidewalks, theatre seats, etc. A case in point is the seats in theatres in London, old theatres that is. One of average size can barely squeeze in, as these were built over 100 years ago when people were smaller. Should we insist that they tear down the theatre then, or should we cope--try to keep our bodies as "together"as we can and get used to it.

Bingo, Sandi, what an extraordinary piece of self-parody! Let's see, shall we speculate about how "average" you are and whether you'll stay that way? Or shall we question what's "average" in a world where there are more women, more Asians, more non-Christians (Buddhists, Muslims, etc.), and more people in poverty than the "average" 6-foot wealthy white male WASPS who define "average" in advertising, travel, hospitality, and commerce.

Or shall we discuss the role of charity and compassion in a democracy?

No, too much fun watching you stamp your pretty little foot and shake your empty little spoiled head. Thanks for another QED!

And isn't this the same Sandi the felt compelled to post a topic saying there should be only 7 categories for discussion? (All others without the Sandi seal of approval are deemed rubbish). So why is she answering here at all?