Slog - Comments on Big Trouble http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble Does this line by Daniel Gross, from a story posted today on Slate, make him look fat phobic? The chances of being stuck in a middle seat, sandwiched between frequent visitors to the Golden Corral all-you-can-eat buffet, in a row opposite the bathroom, have vastly increased. (In my case, they seem to be about 84 percent.)... Copyright 2008 Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:05:03 -0800 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:48:01 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by monkey I'm fat phobic. There, I said it.

]]> monkey http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775936 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775936 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:10:47 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Sure, if you're afraid of being smothered by some mountain of flesh, it's phobic. Justifiably so.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775943 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775943 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:17:45 -0800 Comment by Thom Just a realist.

]]> Thom http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775945 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775945 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:18:16 -0800 Comment by Shaniqua Jackson Hell, this happens to me all the time at MacDonalds

]]> Shaniqua Jackson http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775961 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775961 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:32:56 -0800 Comment by Dianna Well, I also pray that I don't have to sit near a baby or small child on a plane. Doesn't mean I'm "kid phobic."

]]> Dianna http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775966 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775966 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:36:15 -0800 Comment by NapoleonXIV Just because you're fat-phobic doesn't mean some 350 passenger isn't gonna sit next to you, flob over the armrest into your seat, and smother you against the cabin bulkhead while the flight attendants resolutely refuse to acknowledge your helplessness and distress.

]]> NapoleonXIV http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775968 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775968 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:37:30 -0800 Comment by Lloyd Clydesdale Or crochet, Napoleon.

]]> Lloyd Clydesdale http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775975 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775975 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:45:35 -0800 Comment by Kate Jesus Christ Dan, stop clogging my feed reader.

]]> Kate http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775987 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775987 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:55:10 -0800 Comment by infrequent i'm not homophobic. i just don't want to have to sit next to some perfumey gay lisping to me about shoes while hoping to get some.

]]> infrequent http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775993 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775993 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:00:55 -0800 Comment by infrequent i take it back. nevermind. sorry. not a good comparison.

]]> infrequent http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775996 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c775996 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:03:14 -0800 Comment by Dan Savage Neither do I, Infrequent.

]]> Dan Savage http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776004 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776004 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:09:06 -0800 Comment by tsm Yes. A fear of having a portion of the already-small airplane seat you paid for occupied by the ass flab of the person next to you is a kind of phobia. But not a particularly irrational one.

]]> tsm http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776032 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776032 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:40:44 -0800 Comment by fun shaped @9

"lisping to me"

Lolol

]]> fun shaped http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776041 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776041 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:48:56 -0800 Comment by infrequent but it felt wrong to even say it.

]]> infrequent http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776043 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776043 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:50:13 -0800 Comment by Laurel New journalism rule: everyone already knows that flying on airplanes sucks. The following statments are now declared boring:

1. there might be someone fat and/or crying
2. you might have to sit in the middle seat
3. there is no leg room
4. it is crowded
5. security rules are inconvenient
6. the food is bad and it's not free anymore

]]> Laurel http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776049 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776049 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:56:34 -0800 Comment by Bauhaus Ok - so some of us are too fat to travel, and we all have to have someone to whom we can feel superior, right? I mean Paris Hilton is the perfect body size and we should all aim for that - or at least starve ourselves down to where we fit in an airline seat, right?

It's not just the size of the passenger, you know. Know how wide a coach seat is on British Airways? 17 inches. I defy anyone to be comfortable in that for 10 hours.

Europeans consider all Americans huge.

]]> Bauhaus http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776069 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776069 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 17:22:02 -0800 Comment by Dianna Bauhaus-you don't need to starve yourself in order to fit in an airplane seat. You just need to not be obese.

The average size for a woman in the US is a size 12 (my size), which is a bit on the fat side, we are big by normal standards.

And god, I'd never want to look like Paris Hilton. Face, body, anything.

]]> Dianna http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776077 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776077 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 17:34:06 -0800 Comment by Sachi Size 12 is NORMAL by normal standards. Geeze. It's only the media's unhealthy focus on eating-disorder-skinny that makes a size 12 seem "big."

A size 12 or 14 is usually a healthy, ripe, fertile, sexy woman. I wish that all of them could glory in their lovely bodies.

]]> Sachi http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776088 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776088 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 17:58:13 -0800 Comment by keshmeshi I think a reasonable solution is to charge large passengers more (they're using up more fuel in addition to more space) and to give anyone of relatively average size a partial refund when they wind up squashed into the bulkhead.

]]> keshmeshi http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776106 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776106 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:21:00 -0800 Comment by Papayas Re: #4: Is Shaniqua Jackson someone's real name? Granted I haven't been slogging recently, but I don't recognize her. I have a comment, but I'll hold back for a minute...

]]> Papayas http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776133 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776133 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:01:15 -0800 Comment by a.m. @ 18-- EXACTLY!! Well put.

@ 20-- WTF is that supposed to mean? I dare you to finish that thought...

]]> a.m. http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776147 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776147 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:24:23 -0800 Comment by Dianna Size 12 or 14 being healthy....maybe on some people. I felt healthier when I was a bit smaller. I'm not trying to shit on myself or American women, but I wonder what the average size for a woman is in other industrialized countries.

]]> Dianna http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776158 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776158 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:44:03 -0800 Comment by Papayas a.m. @ 21--

Here's my thought. Shaniqua Jackson sounds like a Black American name. Shaniqua is a common first name for Black American girls (and was made famous in Martin Lawrence's TV Show).

Because it is common--and Martin used to ridicule fat Black women--it is often used to make fun of Black people, much like someone might make fun of an Irish man by calling him Paddy or a rich white woman by calling her Ashley or Blair. Same goes for the last name Jackson--common and therefore used to describe a sterotype of a Black person.

When I see the name Shaniqua Jackson and the person posts about liking Mc Donalds it sounds a lot like a racist sexist joke--bullshit, mean-spirited and racist.

So, if this is someone making fun of me and other Black women--fuck you and your racist friends.

]]> Papayas http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776171 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776171 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:59:14 -0800 Comment by Papayas If Shaniqua Jackson is a real person and especially if you are a Black woman--Hi Shaniqua, I'm so excited that there are other Black women posting on Slog. I'm sure there are more than two of us, but it is hard to tell when we are not face to face.

]]> Papayas http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776172 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776172 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 20:00:17 -0800 Comment by rb @15: Amen.

]]> rb http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776207 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776207 Life Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:48:56 -0800 Comment by Bellevue Ave fuck hambeasts and fuck hambeast defenders. When you're so fat that your facial features are those of a fat person not of a unique individual, you cede your rights to be left alone from being made fun of.

also, fatties need to stop thinking they have something in common with a woman that is 150-180 lbs (which I find to be the most attractive range) when they are in fact 250 lbs themselves. look tubs, you arent simply thick, or curvy, you're grotesque and in dire need of health care. I say as a public service to my eyes, and to all the people that care about you: get help now!

]]> Bellevue Ave http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776270 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776270 Life Tue, 07 Aug 2007 01:44:46 -0800 Comment by Loser Wow,
What a bunch of stuck up PA Seattlite drivel.

Ladies and gents, let's all try to just eat better and exercise more. Or not. At least "make an effort" to feed your kids well and keep them active.

If only Mama Cass and Karen Carpenter had shared that sandwich.

]]> Loser http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776290 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776290 Life Tue, 07 Aug 2007 03:05:49 -0800 Comment by Dianna This is to Bellvue Ave @26 (who probably won't read this since I'm typing it the day after the post). I fall into that 150-180 lb category. My husband finds me to be the sexiest woman on earth (or so he says). He's tried to find girls my size online, but to no avail...it always ends up being really obese girls, which, like you, he's not interested in. We feel you!

]]> Dianna http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776593 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/08/big_trouble#c776593 Life Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:48:01 -0800