How To Deal When Your Girlfriend Is Taller Than You

She's 6'1" and you're 5'5". Guys, listen up!

By howaboutwe — Written on Jun 27, 2013

How To Deal: Your Girlfriend Is Taller Than You

So you're into a lady who happens to be a few inches taller than you are. No big! Here’s how to be chill about the height difference, with as little awkwardness/self-consciousness as possible from both parties.

1. Don't Make a Big Deal Out of It.

Emily Altman had a thing against dating someone shorter than she is ... until she started dating someone shorter than she is. How'd her current beau sneak in, despite the height requirement?

"He like, doesn't notice it or even care about it and he’s certainly not threatened by it. He's completely comfortable in his skin so the fact that he’s shorter than me never bothers him, so that helps."

When approaching a girl who's taller, don't mention the height difference, don't point out how tall she is (she knows), don't make a self-deprecating joke about your own height. Just ... be normal.

Tekoa Smith, who at 5'10 is a veteran at dating shorter men, adds, "If a guy's opening line is about our height difference then he comes off as corny with low self-esteem. A short guy who approaches me just to get to know me and NEVER mentions height I'll be more inclined to date him because to me he doesn't go through life worried about his height, and that shows that his priorities are pretty straight."

2. Avoid Doing Sneaky Things to Make Yourself Look Taller

Even if you don't say anything outright about her height, you can still project discomfort with it by doing sneaky, height-increasing things, like standing in front of her on an escalator. As if she isn't going to notice that that's what you're doing! "As a girl, I have a thousand things to be self-conscious about without adding a guy who feels the need to always stand on the higher step or puffs out his chest," advises Christine, who is 6'.

3. Tall Still Means Feminine, Ladylike

Most women want to feel feminine, regardless of their height and their partner's proportion to it. Sure, you may not be able to sweep her off her feet (physically), but there are other things you can do. Guiding her through a room. Putting your arm around her waist. Helping her step out of a car. "Short men can still be the big spoon; you just have to measure and adjust accordingly," Tekoa adds.