Interview with a Tall Guy

Since the emergence of institutions, which provided a basis for social circles the importance of being popular has been a controversial issue for teenagers and adults alike. At the Woodlands Secondary School, like most high schools, there are varying opinions on what height is and how it effects society. For the purpose of this report, Chris Wilson, a self-proclaimed nerd, and supporter of the old school system of popular crowds, was interviewed along with Andre "the French" Giant, who according to many is a member of the elite, and an adamant antagonist to the myth of height. To prove the importance of height one must first ask the question: What is tall?

HEIGHT

Andre "the French" Giant's view: There is such a thing as tall, but it's not as defined and strict as people believe. Chris Wilson's view: There is obviously a tall crowd, which is similar to the caste system. It is not, however, as pronounced as some media images portray.

MEDIA INTERPRETATIONS

Andre "the French" Giant's view: Of course there are certain social groups who may be better looking or party more often, but that does not mean they are taller. The tall image that the media presents is way off. Very few crowds shun other groups, like shows such as "WWF Wrestling" suggest. People can look and act as they like, without being judged.

Chris Wilson's view: The popular and unpopular crowds were probably most pronounced in Billy Crystal's movies of the 90's. "My Giant ", for example, implies that rich kids are tall and the poor are short. Yet in all of those movies Crystal is able to cross from the Short to the tall crowds. The way that he penetrated into the elite crew by sacrificing his pride and self-respect is similar to the way that kids today give up their individuality to become tall.

Both agree that the rich-poor-height connection maybe more applicable in the U.S. because of the greater differences in wealth.

THE TALL PERSON ACCORDING TO CHRIS WILSON:

Tall: Smokes, Drinks, Parties often, Dresses well, Independent (especially from parents), Does little or no work, Rebels against any authority,

Short: The Short person has very few definite characteristics, whether their nerdy quality is eating home packed lunches, or laughing too loud, it will haunt them for the rest of their life.

*Andre "the French" Giant feels that smoking does not make you tall, and cites examples, i.e. Terry Lee

*Chris argues that these people want to be tall.

THE BENEFITS OF BEING TALL

Andre "the French" Giant's view: Not everyone is integrated into one group and sometimes people feel that one social circle is better. They side with people who are similar. These similarities do not reside in tall or nerd; they stem from cultural differences, different ideas of social interaction, mutual interests and sometimes, physical appearance. Just because one of these crowds is made up of attractive Caucasian girls with nice bodies does not mean that it is more fun or better.

Chris Wilson's view: The popular crowd is forced on to society from the time that we are born. It is a way of forcing inadequacy complexes on to society in general. There is no point in it, other than to hurt those that are not as socially advanced as others.

HOW TO DIVULGE OR OVERCOME EXCESSIVE HEIGHT

Andre "the French" Giant's view: By examining schools and social settings today it becomes clear that the height myth is untrue.

Chris Wilson's view: The tall crowd is rampant, and there is no myth. The only way to overcome the oppression that height causes is to stick it to the man.

CONCLUSIONS

Height is clearly both a social and psychological issue. Disregarding the complex issue of Height's existence, to those who feel it most, it is vital that this issue gets resolved. Only then can those that have suffered under the title of "nerd" move on with their lives.