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As a short guy, I can be on the end of some derogatory comments from other males, particularly on nights out or at sports events. There have been several times, I am aware a guy is taking a photo of me on their phone.
If this happens, I immediately feel uneasy and my anxiety levels increase. However, this is only temporary, and I can quickly move on and forget about it.
As someone who is trying to stop being "Mr Nice Guy" and be more assertive, is there any masculine responses I can give in these situations (call them out, without being aggressive?/ make light of the situation?).
Or is the best response, to continue to ignore it, and work on not feeling the unease?
I got some really short friends. We've called them hobbits and all manner of short jokes. Typically it is best to just ignore it, especially with those you don't know, and if you are alone. The reason I say that is by responding to it then you show you care about it on some level and it got to you. Those that love to pick on people and press buttons will keep on regardless of whatever whitty classy funny line you think of. The other thing you can do is embrace it and take the bullets out of the gun so to speak.
For example and this isn't very politically correct so forgive me. I have a friend of mine who is African American and I am a white guy. I used to tell him black jokes, but he knew every one of them. Hell he knew better jokes than I could ever think of. By him taking the good humor from jokes and from me and telling me funnier ones he took control of the frame and I had no where to go. His social value went up as a result of it.
If you are with others then I would look to take it away from them, embrace it, and have some fun. If you are alone I would say ignore it completely and try not to let it get to you. It only bothers you because you let it bother you, and when it bothers you others see it. Sharks can smell that shit like blood in water. Don't bleed in the water and don't let it get to you.
Embrace it, own it, and love it!
Best of Luck,
JSmooth