Wednesday, 05 August 2009
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What's the deal with Small Man Syndrome?
Napoleon Complex: when a man of short stature tries to compensate by being overly aggressive.
I've known a number of Napoleans in my time. Fought a couple too. One of my closest friends, a marine named Oso, is a hazard to go out with as he refuses to back down even when he's wrong and is quick to insult people, with or without provocation and especially when women are around.
Every one of these men whom I've met all have one two things in common besides their short height. First they all have big mouths and the second is that they actively go out of their way to demonstrate that they are closer to a woman or know more women than others and therefore cooler than everyone in the room.
As a tall man I can never be in the circle, nor wish to be. Furthermore, I'm not lumping all short men into the same category.
What's the Business? Can anyone give me some insight? Why do they have a tendency to put others down for something that neither person can control.
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- From: DeLasombra@xanga
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Comments (19)
I think they feel automatically intimidated, or people overly undermine or talk down to them. So they grow a habit over time to counter act that.
I'm a short guy, can't say I fall into the categories above, but I can assume I know why they act like the way they do.
Of course it deals with growing up different...you're picked on, teased, bullied, harassed, taken advantage of...
I know I was. Terribly. I didn't grow up to angry and confrontational as the above, I went the opposite. Shy and reserved.
I've grown out of it feeling that way, but the comments never really stop. Just gotta roll with it, and I can accept that. I'm secure enough with who I am that I won't get shaken up if someone has something to say negative about me.
Those mentioned, well, they most likely have some sort of self esteem issues if they have to put down someone else to feel better.
ironically, napoleon was of normal height for his time. (5'7" and dwarfed by british war propaganda.)
I'd do Napoleon. Just sayin
well i'm a really short girl so idk about guys (it's probably more difficult and im also barely 5'0'') but i was always picked on for my stature, even now, by idiots who think they're better than me yet still call me friends. (i'm not bitter... what are you talking about) i want to rise up better than them in a metaphoric sense, and i'm really confrontational, out-there, and want to stand out with my personality instead of shying away because i'm so small and it's, well, not harder to notice, but more like i want to be aggressive instead because of the way i perceive the world. sure you're taller than me but you're not better than me.
That's not really where the term Napoleon Complex came from but ok.
I think shorter people get pushed around more so they have to toughen up faster? I don't know.
it seems like you answered your own question with your first sentence.
I agree with thewindycity.
Hm I've known lots of shorter guys and they've all be loud but never rude. Usually short people seem to be louder, that's the only thing I've noticed.
some short females are like this too. i'm short and shy and reserved (closet partier, however) but a lot of my short friends also have very short fuses. there was one time when i was on a 'that's what she said!' high around a friend of mine and she ended up attacking me >.<
@xjadersx@xanga - i'm five foot and very quiet :P
@xsPoNgEs_go_SQUISHx13@xanga - Lol maybe I just attract loud people... which know that I think about it, I think it's true.
I am 5'3. Summer Marching Band started up recently at my high school, and I am a senior on the leadership team. 90% of the incoming freshmen males are taller than me, and 70% of the freshmen girls are of equal or taller height as well. Crazy, right?
Believe me, it sucks being short. I don't have a Napoleon complex but I interact with people as if I don't have any sort of "deficiency", no matter what they say to make fun of me, or whatever. It's hard to blame them for wanting to feel tall, since they never will actually be tall, though. It's a lot more disheartening than most people realize; watching everyone tower over you, never being able to REALLY be "one of the guys" because of your stature.
That said, there are other ways to prove yourself as a man rather than being boisterous about yourself.
- John
I think short guys are super hot. I'm 5'9' and dated a guy like... 4 inches shorter than me, lol.
they are a bunch of damn dirty migets and they should be forced to dance for nickels in public, i sez!
@MissPixieGlitter@xanga - yes! i'm so glad someone beat me to it!
also...his Old Guard had height requirements (over 6 feet tall only, by today's measurements) so he was always surrounded by huge guys, furthering the myth that he was exceptionally short for his time.
@xjadersx@xanga - lol. i've gotta say the same for me. i just let them talk because they seem to enjoy that :)
@The_Aftershock_3650@xanga - I LOVE SHORT GUYS. mostly because i can reach them without having to stand on a booster or something... :)
My male cousin is 5'1 and looks like legoman (inside joke between my bf and I). Yes it's mean but he's a mean person. He doesn't have true friends nor does he like anyone. HE HATES EVERYONE AND TALKS SHYT BOUT THEM.
I was just surfing the net...well said aftershock!! kudos!
Not being taken seriously because of being short is something I've lived with my whole life. alot of personal pain behind being small. you go about your life one of two ways. be angry or shell up. it's something you can't hide from and judged before you open your mouth. I'm always reminded that I'm small. rather things and people remind me. walking into a room, meeting new people, going to a night club, talking to women, you're instantly judged. I'm ashamed and embarrassed to be seen sometimes. I'm a total asshole to everyone around me. but remember, I judge myself 10 fold.