Comments on: How to Be Taken Seriously, For Women

on 7/9/2008 Step 9 and 10 is very important.

on 7/7/2008 I agree that it is offensive to tell a person she must alter the appearance of the body she was born with in order to be taken seriously. There is also ample evidence, anecdotal and from the social sciences and media, that blacks are taken less seriously than whites, but I am quite certain that you would not advise them to lighten their skin in order to be taken seriously. It would be more appropriate to point out that it is primitive to judge a person's abilities based on their size, shape or color. It is offensive to tell short women to wear high heels, daily wear of which can destroy our hip sockets over the course of our career, in order to be taken seriously. By the same logic, would you tell women with large feet to bind them?

on 11/12/2007 Andrea,
I'm sorry if this offended you. Let me explain it better. When someone towers over another person it gives the appearance of power and when two people can look each other in the eye it gives the appearance of equality--it does not make either person more powerful or more equal--it only makes them look that way. No reality--just perceptions. These aren't my ideas. This is based on years of research done by many psychologists and behavioral scientists. I've read a lot of their information and I'm reporting what they've found. I haven't found any studies that had different conclusions on the subject. I didn't mean to offend you but to inform you. Thank you so much for your comments.

on 11/12/2007 You wouldn't tell a fat person to lose weight or black person to lighten their skin, but it's o.k .to tell a short person to try to appear taller. This just perpetuates discrimination against short people.

on 11/12/2007 You wouldn't tell a fat person to lose weight or black person to lighten their skin, but it's o.k .to tell a short person to try to appear taller. This just perpetuates discrimination against short people.

on 11/6/2007 I agree that short people can be extremely intimidating. Studies have proven for years, however, that tall people are just naturally seen as having more power, more leadership skills and even more intellect. Of course this is talking about appearances only and has no basis in any actual person's characteristics. For a woman seeking to find ways to look like someone people want to listen to and heed, this is just a simple trick that makes you appear more powerful and in charge. Thanks so much for your comments.

on 10/19/2007 I don't agree with step 7. Short people shouldn't feel the need to "level the playing field". Some of the most intimidating people that I've known have been shorter than me.