Last Thursday, I posted about Reebok’s running shoe line. In that post, I mentioned that my feet had grown from a size 8 to a size 9 in the span of four weeks. And yes, I referred to myself as “Big Foot.” You see, I’ve been a size 8 in shoes ever since the 8th grade. I am now 30, so I have clearly experienced many years of size 8 shoe-dom. When my feet took such a dramatic size leap in such a short period of time, it caught me off guard. Additionally, I am only 5’4″. As per statistics, size 9 is above average for my height in females. Granted, my “scientific” stats are coming from Google, but whatever! My search showed the average American female height these days to be 5’4″ while the average shoe size is a 7. So you see? I perfectly fit into the average height bracket but my shoe size is substantially larger.
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| Contemplating my ever-expanding feet |
This doesn’t bother me in the least. I was merely making an observation and making fun of myself and the fact that I now have bigger feet. However, I have to say that I was absolutely shocked at the number of y’all who found my post to be offensive!
Only one reader left an anonymous comment, proclaiming how annoying my “Big Foot” statement was, but I did receive quite a few emails– far more than I have ever received from a single post! In summary, y’all were pissed. The emails informed me that I was crazy and insulting for referring to size 9 as a large foot. I was even told to “get a clue” a few times.
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| The feet that started all the drama! |
Guys, I swear, I have many clues….a whole brain full of them actually. I’m actually a pretty smart gal. However, I really don’t understand why saying I have big feet is insulting? From my perspective, I was just stating the obvious: for me, a size 9 is a large foot and my shoe size has dramatically increased. I’m fine with it. What is offensive about that?
The more I thought about this, I came to the conclusion that readers’ anger over this topic stems back to something more. Basically, I think there is a connotation that big = bad (unless you live in Texas!), especially when it comes to our physical appearance. If I said that my feet were tiny and mini-me sized, would y’all have gotten as offended? I hesitate to think that the reaction would be the same, but maybe I’m once again wrong here.
You tell me: what’s wrong with big feet?Â
Why is that offensive? Am I just way off base here?
51 Comments
I don’t find the comment offensive. But perhaps the people that did had feet sized 9 or larger and felt it was an insult to them. Or like you said people equate big with bad.
Oy vey! How someone can construe that as offensive is beyond me! And let me throw this in–my feet have grown since running, also (it happens) and I embrace my bigger sizes!
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I think it was definitely marathon training that did it! As soon as I started posting regular double digit runs, these feet just GREW!
How odd! You made just one comment in reference to yourself in that post. It wasn’t even like a “Those people with Size # and bigger are above average”. Just ignore the weirdos, naysayers, and all the pessimists. I have a 5’8 friend who wears size 12 shoes (she thinks it’s hilariously awesome), and my arms are abnormally long so sleeves are always short on me. I’m alright with not being average, and sounds like you’re alright with that too!
Yeah, I accepted my weird body abnormalities a long time ago 🙂 My quads and my waist are totally disproportionate as well, and that’s always made jean shopping a fun debacle. Can’t we just accept who we are….for who we are?
Seems like an interesting topic to get insulted about… like you said size 9 for 5’4” is big for you– which I’m sure just seems like a fact for you. For me, I’m 5’7” and only wear a 6.5-7.5 depending on the brand. I know I have small feet for my height and other people have even commented on my small feet… so why do people equal small or big feet as bad (maybe?) just seems, I dunno, odd to me.
I think some people are overly sensitive and need something to gripe about. they attacked you because, to them, you are an anonymous voice/face behind a screen. I have noticed that, depending on the shoes, I can wear an 8-9; but I am 5’7″. For me, I feel that’s average. I agree with the other comments saying you were making fun of you and instead of you getting a clue, they need to get a sense of humor and thicker skin.
I agree with the “face behind the screen” comment. What I got was very mild in comparison to what I’ve seen happen on other, larger blogs. Regardless, I do think people sometimes get a little more angry/wordy on blogs because it’s an easy place to take out some aggression.
This reminds me of that “Stuff White People Like” website, where #101 is ‘Being Offended.’ Folks will get offended about anything and everything that they can relate to, even though it’s not about them at all.
Not offensive at all! Fact: your feet were an 8. Now they’re a 9. Hence, bigger than what you’re used to. You’re just stating the obvious. Your blog, your opinions!
Of all the things to get worked up over! I wish that were my only concern. I’m 5’1 and I wear a 7.5 in normal shoes and 8.5 in running shoes. Oh yeah, and that’s a WIDE. I know my feet are large for my height. So be it. I am hardly insulted by someone saying their feet are big. Who cares?! 🙂
I have a bunion on my right foot too, so I often refer to myself as a troll. I haven’t put that on the blog, but I daresay that might ignite a fire 🙂
You know what they say about those with big feet! Big hands too…and can play basketball
A twitter follower did observe that the angry readers must have been female because men would never be upset about having large feet. After all, large feet always equals…. 🙂
Definitely NOT offended! I am only 5’0, and wear a 9.5 in running shoes! People are crazy.
Hilarious. So dumb what people want to get upset over. I cannot imagine that being offensive, especially since you were talking about YOURSELF.
i can’t relate – I have size 5 feet – people kid me about being able to hang my shoes from their rear view mirror. I would think a size 9 is average and mention is not offensive…but what do i know?
Haha, I’m sorry but that made me laugh 🙂 My best friend’s sister is only 4’10” and her feet are like the size of my hand, and I always say I want to put her in my pocket. Kinda similar!
I didn’t find the comment offensive at all. In fact I remember laughing when you said that. Besides, you weren’t pointing any one out…just making an observation about yourself. Don’t worry about it girl!
Really? Some people have wayyyyy too much time on their hands. My feet have grown since running long distances. I was a 7 forever now I’m an 8. Hence, my feet have gotten bigger!
Omg…. U were so totally not offensive! I swear u could call yourself tiny foot and someone would still complain! It’s the way of the world! Ppl love to whine and find things to make a stink over regardless of what it is! I’m sorry ppl are so ridiculous! Don’t let it bother u!!! Spa love!!!
That’s a little funny really. I have recently grown into size 9s also and do consider them big, but not at all bad. Of course since I am 5’8″ maybe I fit my shoe size more than you do. I love the things people get all worked up about, embrace your feet, love them, it’s not like you can change it the way you can your waist line!
Perhaps my feet need to do some more cardio? 😉
Perhaps you touched on a sensitive topic for those with size 9 feet and greater? If it makes you feel any better I think that size 9 is pretty big, not in a bad way of course. (For reference I’m 5′ 2.5″ and wear a size 7 shoe.)
First time commenter… just wanted to chime in. I’m almost 5’6 and wear a 9 in normal shoes and 10 in running shoes. I used to get offended when someone made a comment about my large feet, but I don’t let it bother me anymore. Maybe, at 27, I’m a little less self-conscious than I was when I was 20. However, I’ve learned to embrace my large feet because they carry me everywhere I want to go. I didn’t even think twice about your “large feet” comment. Don’t let haters get to you! 🙂
Thanks for commenting! I just figure that larger feet keep me from sinking into the sand and mud when I’m out playing in the mountains. I mean, it’s all about surface area.. right?! 😉
Hahahahaha…..Oh my! I actually just wrote a post about how over sensitive our society is compared to other cultures (will post next week), mine related to several comments I’ve gotten since I’ve been pregnant!
I actually had a sympathy chuckle at “your big feet comment”, since I was wearing my mom’s shoes in 3rd grade, out grew her shoes by 5th grade to a size 9, grew after high school to a size 10, and since becoming a runner, now wear a size 11!!!
P.S. Your hair looks really pretty! We don’t get to see it fixed very often!! 🙂
Ha, that’s true– blog land rarely sees me with hair done or makeup on 🙂 Thanks!
If someone is offended by your view of yourself it says more about them than it does about you. What a silly thing to draw attention. Good thing you didn’t make any grammar or spelling errors of you might have made the nightly news! haha
Lol! If people are hating, at least you’re getting a reaction! Human beings are sensitive soles (see what I did there? Sorry!). Let ’em be sensitive.
Ahhh, I see what you did there! Sneaky commenter, you are 😉
You’re WAY more popular than me. I never get emails let alone emails about topics like this bothering people. As always, you provided me a chuckle. =) I’m 5’5 and have worn shoes anywhere from 8-9.5 in my life. Guess we’re average, but I too think I have big feet. I would love little tiny ones to wear cute shoes. Oh well. Guess we have some solid feet to stand on…or trip over!
Ha, it doesn’t happen often but when it does, people sure mean business! Another post that really got people fired up was about size 6 being plus sized– if you wanna check it out: https://www.justacoloradogal.com/2012/01/size-6-plus-sized.html
Once again, another post about body size/issue/image. Sensing a trend here?
I’m 5′ tall and weigh 90lbs. I have size 8.5 dress shoes and 9.5 running shoes. I’m proud of my big feet. I can find amazing couture shoes in my size (typically on sale!!!) long after the 7’s are gone. Love it.
Girl, you bring up a valid point! Now I won’t be in the super common, always sold out size 8! WINNING!
I don’t understand why people would be offended…Albeit I’m a guy 6’2″ I wear anywhere between a 12-14 depending on the brand…I’m fine with my foot size…honestly I really never even think about it. Be proud of your foot size! 🙂
I don’t understand why people would be offended…Albeit I’m a guy 6’2″ I wear anywhere between a 12-14 depending on the brand…I’m fine with my foot size…honestly I really never even think about it. Be proud of your foot size! 🙂
I don’t understand why people would be offended…Albeit I’m a guy 6’2″ I wear anywhere between a 12-14 depending on the brand…I’m fine with my foot size…honestly I really never even think about it. Be proud of your foot size! 🙂
I certainly wouldn’t be offended. I wear a size 10 in normal shoes and an 11 (11! talk about big feet! lol) in running shoes!
you can’t please everyone girl! someone is always bound to be offended.
I have big feet too. Size 9. only 5’6″ I’m totally ok with this and I embrace it!
i am sorry but this made me LAUGH MY FACE OFF. are people really being THAT sensitive or are they really THAT insecure about themselves. THEY ARE JUST FEET!!! who cares what someone might consider “big” or “small”
okay.. i’m still laughing..
also, 5’8 size 10.5 running shoe over here.
BAM.
BIG FEET FOR THE WIN!!!!!
Haha glad I made your day a little smilier! 🙂
Bahaha this post seriously made me crack up. You are awesome. And who knew foot size could cause such controversy?! On a less joking note, I do think it’s interesting how chicks tend to equate big with bad when it comes to appearance. Meanwhile, it’s the opposite with dudes. What’s up with that?!
Fact. I’m embracing the male perspective I think. I mean, I apparently have big feet, and I’ve always had a large forehead 😉
I’d be willing to bet the people that were so offended by “big feet” comment in that post have probably been called big by someone in their life and it hurt their feelings. I wear anywhere from an 8-10 (I’ve got over 100 pairs of shoes and sizes vary widely across brands and styles) and have always been referred to as a “big girl” on the volleyball and basketball courts. I never associated big with fat because I was tall and I knew in their mind big meant tall NOT fat. Perhaps for these people big means fat…
That’s my two cents!
Hi. Just came across this blog. Def dont find what you aaid offesnsive. Youre not referencing anyone but yourself. I actually saw it as humor abbout the situation. I can def relate to you bout your foot size. Im 27, 5’4, 130ish lbs and am a size 9 foot. Ive hated my feet for as long as i can rem and get very anxious around summertime just at the thought of my feet being exposed. Im happy with my body but my feet are my weak trigger point because they are not proprtioned to my height. My feet size literally affect my outfit planning (lame, i know). Im trying to learn to acknowledge theyre just feet but because ive been teased bout them wen i was younger, it left a traumatic feeling bout a bigger size foot being ugly. also if im barefoot, Im afraid ppl would judge and i cant handle judgement bout my feet. I just have big ugly feet for a girl. Also something heavy fell on my 2nd toe slightly elongating it. For those who have big feet, do you guys get anxious bout exposing them? Whats a guys take on a women with unattractive feet?
PS. Im only this anxious bout my feet. Ahhh!
Hi Heather I must say from a male point of view there is nothing wrong with a lady having big feet .So as long as there are fashionable shoes you enjoy wearing in your size range there should be no problem.I for one find large female feet very attractive especially the soles the bigger the better and the more pretty they look.It can only be the world that we live in seems to put demand on woman to look a certain way how annoying that is when us men find the most special things about woman attractive ..
You think size 9 is bad? Try being 5’4 and size 10! I sometimes ask God “why” because of this.
Big feet are sexy