How many of me does it take to change a light bulb? One! hahaI am taller than most people I know. In the past some have considered me lucky because it caused me to meet the requirement for height in careers such as air hostess / flight attendant or a model - or so they thought. Some have simply considered it a convenience to be able to reach higher than they could or, in some cases, change a light bulb without a ladder or stepping stool.
When I was younger it bothered me that I used to stand out from the crowd – sometimes head and shoulders. If I got into a full lift I was often the one looking down on most everyone else... literally. As time went by I simply accepted that I was born to stand out... literally :) As I grew older and became more confident I finally started walking with my shoulders back and my head held high, and for a while I didn’t mind adding another two or three inches (5 – 7cm) with a pair of sexy heels... until I started having some pain in my lower back. There and then it was enough motivation to get back down to earth.
You can imagine my surprise when I started investigating flight attendant positions and discovered that I was in fact too tall for some of them and thereby eliminated. Now there is a tell tale sign that something is not meant for you. It is not as if you can earn a university or college qualification for the right height or adjust it through a number of years of suitable experience. In some instances you had to be a mere 5’2” (158cm). Imagine that. Then in other cases you couldn’t exceed 5’9” (175cm) or 6’ (182cm) with shoes on. I am 6’ without shoes.
But let’s for one moment forget about the height requirement for flight attendants; it is equally uncomfortable having to crouch down as a passenger trying to find your seat, or having to bend your knees trying to get your hand luggage into the overhead compartment. So let’s face the fact that planes can only be that small or they’d be out of business... or maybe not... seeing as so many people are shorter than I.
How would the rest of us trod the globe then... by row boat? I guess in that case I’d rather crouch and walk with bended knee if I had to ;)
I can just be grateful - short or tall - that the commercial airlines I have traveled on have treated me well indeed!
Why didn't you become a model???
ReplyDeleteDid you WANT to be a hostess?
ReplyDeleteCindy, when I was younger I had very little to no confidence or identity. Plus, the exposure that I did have to modeling exhibited a world where it would seem that the less you wear the better. I had a moral issue with half naked models on a ramp. It just didn't feel right.
ReplyDeleteGranny, I've been scared to death of traveling most of my life, yet it is something that I've always wanted to do. I just thought I'd be able to do it with someone. However, it didn't work out that way. I'm in my thirties now and still alone. I did, however, have the privilege of six months in the States just recently and I've found myself feeling VERY at home in airports and I simply loved the flying. I'm having to start a new chapter in my life and - not afraid anymore - I've decided to look at a few options I would never have considered before.
ReplyDeleteI can vouch for the "light bulb changing skills", she does a great job. In all seriousness, ... you are probably one of the most gifted / talented people I have ever met!
ReplyDeleteMe
Thank you, 'Anonymous'. I appreciate that :)
ReplyDelete