Finding Humor In Being Too Tall For Japan

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When Joe and I go to Japan, we get a lot of stares. When we go to the smaller towns, it’s undoubtedly because we’re American. When we go to larger cities where they’re more used to seeing people who are not Asian, it’s undoubtedly because of something else.

See, Joe and I are the Mutt and Jeff of couples. I am a bit over a whopping 4’6″ tall and he is just shy 6′ tall. To put that into perspective of the real world, I come up to roughly his nipples ;-). But really, it’s fine. I came to terms with my height a long, long time ago and heck, I married someone who can easily reach the top shelf and even change a ceiling lightbulb without a step ladder, so it’s all good.

But back to Japan…

The average height for a woman in the U.S. is about 5’4″. In Japan it’s about 5’2″. So when I go to Japan, I’m still short; I’m just not AS short.

The average height for a man in the U.S. is 5’9″. In Japan it’s about 5’7″. So when Joe goes to Japan, he’s not just his typical tall, he is TALL.

Joe bumped his head on the top of more than one doorway in Japan; eventually he just learned to duck. And he’s just tall. So when you happen to be, let’s say, as tall as I am short, can you imagine what you might have to deal with in a country where most people aren’t super tall?

The topic came up on Reddit a while back and people included pictures. They’re pretty funny…

 

And finally, there’s this guy. He’s 6’3″ and wound up making an entire album of his “too tall for Japan” adventures.

*** Feature Photo: pakupakupaku/IMGUR

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary