Ask Me About My Weight? Let’s Make It Awkward
1 (36M) work in an office made up entirely of male coworkers. I’m 185 cm (6’1″) and 70 kg (154 lbs), so I come across as pretty skinny. To be clear, I have no ED or illnesses, my metabolism is just naturally high. I feel healthy and my GP confirms it. The big boss, let’s call him High Septon, has a habit of making “playful” jabs about my weight. He’ll call me “sparrow” in my language, implying small, frail, or skinny.
I don’t mind his personal opinion, but I started thinking about how that might affect other colleagues who don’t have thick skin. So I decided to throw a wrench into it next time he brought it up. Yesterday, the High Septon came over and somehow the conversation shifted to food:
HS: “So, are you gonna eat today, Sparrow?”
Me: “Nah, I’m on a diet, trying to lose weight.”
HS: “W-what?!”
Me: “Yeah, been feeling kind of bloated lately. Want to lose like 10 kg (about 22 lbs).”
HS: “B-but…you can’t do that! You’re not really on a DIET, are you?!”
I just shrugged and went back to work. He stared at me for a moment, then meekly returned to his desk. For context, my BMI is 20.5. The “goal” I mentioned would drop me to 17.5, way too low. I have absolutely no plans to lose weight; I actually struggle to gain it. He avoided me the rest of the day and hasn’t looked my way today. Best of all, no more comments about food or weight. If he brings it up again, I’ll call him out, but for now, I’m enjoying the awkward tension I’ve created.
EDIT: Thanks for the awards and all the kind comments, you all are amazing! A few clarifications: Yes, I’ll take it up with HR if needed, but I’m not planning a big spectacle. He was joking, wrongly, but lucky for him the target of the joke happens to be the chillest scarecrow on the planet.
Also, thanks to everyone pointing out the double meaning of “ED.”
I’ll check for Marfan’s syndrome as some symptoms match, just to be safe. And lastly, remember, you never have to justify your body, shape, or form to anyone. Never forget that.
