Comments on: A Fat Girl’s Rhapsody

By: Mddh

Mddh — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 17:25:07 +0000

I know, I know it’s 2 years later but just couldn’t help commenting.

I also do see that piece as wallowing in self pity.

Yes, such mental states happen, and are understandable in general (because we live in a culture obessesed with looks and youth) and in particular (because the current cultural ideal is so thin that it’s hard to attain for majority of women post 25, and thus being noticeably fat is this big (!) horrid transgression). But at the end of the day I have to agree with Carly (and mainja) here.

Soon we won’t be able to laugh at anybody for fear of being offensive (luckily we can still laugh at ourselves: the last time I had a chance to do that was when my 6 year old daughter told me ‘mummy, your are so fat you look like a whole field of flowers in this’ when she saw me trying something on).

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 13 Apr 2005 16:54:00 +0000

I’m at the opposite end of the writer’s body spectrum; I’m short and thin, but damn if I haven’t had similar issues. My wardrobe mostly consists of women’s clothes, as it seems all men these days are at least 5′9″.

I sneak food, eschew mirrors, and assume all physical compliments are lies.

Thanks, Damien & Julie. I entirely echo your statements.

By: Colin J.

Colin J. — Wed, 30 Mar 2005 13:23:00 +0000

Simply put, I think this is a great piece.

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 28 Mar 2005 13:32:00 +0000

I can see the point that it perpetuates stereotypes…but the piece also speaks so powerfully to the emotions of feeling lonely and of feeling as if you are looked upon as different or ugly–and most of us feel that way at some point in our lives.

By: Damien Ryan

Damien Ryan — Mon, 28 Mar 2005 11:24:00 +0000

It’s not just ‘fat chicks’… Skinny boys have the same thoughts at times too.

Powerful piece of writing Nonetheless

By: mainja

mainja — Mon, 28 Mar 2005 11:18:00 +0000

wow, that was kind of heart wrenching. i have to say, it sounded a lot like she was brutally depressed when it was taking place, which surely to go doesn’t help.

i’m a fat chick and i can totally relate to the worrying about chairs and all the other stuff that goes with that, but my concern with stuff like this, well, no, the way it gets distributed, since it wasn’t written as a manifesto or anything, but rather simply as something the author wanted to write, which is an excellent piece of writing and is much appreciated as that. but… my concern is just that people will look at this as how all fat people feel.

it kind of perpetuates some stereotypes about fat people, the secret compulsive eating, the self-loathing, the sloth behaviour. i have to say, i don’t have any of those things. i do enjoy going out dancing. i go to the gym during the day. i eat healthy food in appropriate amounts. i have great friends. i have a good ‘professional’ job.

all of this, even though i’m a fat chick. although, i’m not sure that the fat chick thing plays in, except for how people percieve me…

By: Carly

Carly — Mon, 28 Mar 2005 07:51:00 +0000

I have to totally agree with Mainja on this one, who said that this piece of writing only supports the stereotypes of fat chicks. Don’t get me wrong, I have an extreme amount of sympathy for the writer, and I was nearly crying by the time I reached the ending. However, I am too, a fat chick. I go swimming–yes, swimming–because I love it, regardless of how I may look in a suit. I have a healthy social life, wonderful family and friends, and a sucessful career. While I understand the woman’s pain, I think that worst thing for anyone–no matter their weight–is to wallow in unescapable self-pity.

By: fianna

fianna — Mon, 28 Mar 2005 07:26:00 +0000

that was soooo very sad. I hope she finds a way to feel better soon, and she’s an excellent writer.