I recently spent 9 weeks in Thailand. My size was an article of amazement for many Thais, and, being honest types (mostly), they made comments. They were being observant, NOT judgmental.
And of course, in Thailand I was waaaaaaaaaaaaaay larger than the norm. Especially in contrast to the delightfully beautiful Thai women.
First, Thai ladies are universally petite... slim, trim, curved...extremely so. At pedestrian stop lights, in the blazing sun, three of them would line up (shoulder to shoulder) behind me and shade themselves from the sun, using the shadow from my width and height. Several would get into fisticuffs to earn a place in the shelter of my penumbra. It was a bit disconcerting.
At the massage spa I frequented, 3 of the ladies would greet me as follows:
And of course, in Thailand I was waaaaaaaaaaaaaay larger than the norm. Especially in contrast to the delightfully beautiful Thai women.
First, Thai ladies are universally petite... slim, trim, curved...extremely so. At pedestrian stop lights, in the blazing sun, three of them would line up (shoulder to shoulder) behind me and shade themselves from the sun, using the shadow from my width and height. Several would get into fisticuffs to earn a place in the shelter of my penumbra. It was a bit disconcerting.
At the massage spa I frequented, 3 of the ladies would greet me as follows:
- 1 patted my tummy and laughed
- 1 hugged me and kissed my tummy
- 1 said I looked like a teddy bear and she wanted to snuggle with me
I was getting MORE reasonably pleasant attention... but although the hugs were quite nice, the whole thing really embarrassed me. But I kept going back!
The bottom line? I felt very conscious of my size all the time I was in Thailand.
I was also wondering just why I felt uncomfortable there... but not so much back in Canada.
The answer came whilst I was in the Seattle airport awaiting my final plane ride back to Canada. I am larger than many North Americans, but not unusually so. Lots of people my size and a significant minority dwarf me.
So it was easy to not notice my obesity back home.
But not in South East Asia.
The self-consciousness, plus a firm desire to spend 4 - 6 winter months in Thailand, henceforth, was another motivational factor in my choice to reduce my weight, and keep myself accountable through this Blog.
If I'm going to be in Thailand, I will be OK with being taller than most of the Thais, but not obscenely larger than they.
