“I’m not fat, I’m thick;” “I don’t have a big stomach, it’s just chubby;” “I’m not thin, I only slimmed down;” are some of the statements I’ve made, in defense of how I look, just because I love to argue, not cos I really meant any.
While I may have made those statements playfully, there are people who actually get offended when called fat or thin. And I honestly can’t blame them; “fat” and “thin” when used, are usually condescending or meant to be shameful. Hence, most people no longer see them as just adjectives but insults. And now, poor people like me find it hard to describe a person as fat, or short, or thin, or even black, without it coming off as body shaming. But then, it is what it is. Cos how else do I give a clear picture of a person?
Now, there’s this trend of people getting offended when others make comments on how they look. Comments like “Sade, you’re looking good. See your cheeks, you’ve added weight o,” “Guy, are you dieting? You are lean, see your neck,” and a thousand other similar comments. I said it’s a trend now cos everywhere on social media, I see people warning friends, families, acquaintances and enemies, in advance, to mind their business and not make any comment on their ‘newly acquired look,’ when next they see. I don’t know if it’s them just being ‘woke,’ or catching cruise, or being really offended, cos such comments get to them.
Well, there are different strokes for different folks. I personally have no problem with people telling me I’ve lost or added weight, gotten shorter or taller, gotten lighter or darker. Really. This is because sometimes, my eyes and judgement aren’t enough. Some of these observations serve as eye openers for me. Well, depending on how you say it sha. Some will embarrass you, all in the name of being concerned…
I’m the kind who wouldn’t notice I’ve lost weight until I become a bag of dried bones, or add about two extra holes to my belt, or until my clavicles are deep enough to hold a litre of water.
Also, I do not want to look like a sack of fufu, before I realize I’ve become fat, and now start to drink garlic and ginger, boiled in Pigeon saliva, just to burn stubborn fat. So you see why I appreciate such observations and comments from people?
Most importantly, I appreciate it when people observe that my water bumbum is evaporating, before it totally disappears (only when it truly is. I hate false observations concerning my past), cos how else would I remain a destiny changer without my juicy past?
So yes, keep them comments coming. Go ahead and tell me how I look, my mirror may not be doing its work well enough. Just make sure you process carefully, whatever you think your eyes have seen, before opening your mouth gbagada to say what is not; I’m sure you don’t want to attlact curses to yourself. So shine your eyes well, before you tell me my bumbum has reduced or that I’m lean, when you’ve only seen my upper body. Wait to see my “lower body” fess, before you conclude than I’m now lean. My wells of salvation have come to stay; so without seeing my “lower body,” you’d be tricked to believe I’m lean. So my dears, let’s be careful, and not cause unnecessary commotion.
Tell me, what are your thoughts on unsolicited observations? Do they offend you or you’re open to them?
Are you one to give unsolicited observations?