allAfrica.com -- Uganda [column]: Short Men Syndrome

I am trying to resist all attempts to name names because today's subject is very sensitive. It is about short and tall men.

Do tall guys have more pulling power than short blokes? Are these 'poles' more likely to make good husbands, or do women look for more from their men?

But before I roll, I would like all men, whose heads are nearer to the ground, to know that I am not being malicious to anybody.

I created no one and it is not my fault therefore that short men don't sell in a love-marriage market. I am only talking about them.

A tall man is a ladies' choice.

An overwhelming number of women want men who are tall. At least taller than them. Tall women want to marry men who are taller while short women fear their fellow short men for the sake of their offsprings. They also look for tall men to do their children a favour.

Whenever a bride is taller than her groom, it becomes a topic of concern and amusement. Efforts are even made to choose flat shoes for the lady, high sole shoes for the man and to minimise the time both will be seen standing.

Research based on a study of Polish men suggested that shorter men were more likely to be childless, leading the scientists to conclude that women actively select height when looking for a partner to minimise risks of air supply.

Or do women associate happiness and success with more height?

Dr Namukasa Serina said "a great man is simply great. A tall great man is greater because there is more of him than a short one!

Does it also mean that short men have a tough time finding an attractive woman?

Well, I am tall and I know short men have never scared me in a competition for a woman. One time my ex girlfriend highlighted shortness as proof that she was not dating a course-mate as a rumour was claiming.

You see, the Zachaeuses get lost in crowds and need to climb trees to be seen. They are like a hidden lamp Jesus referred to in the Bible.

When your guy is handsome but 'down to earth', few will notice because he will not always have access to a platform. How will he find you in a crowded room? He can not whisk you off your feet to some respectable level off the ground unless it is above his head.

And short men can be very annoying. They move around with their inferiority complex and will frown at the remotest reference of inadequacy even if it is directed at a domestic cat.

Just look at your work place; If a short boss can nauseate you with constant memos that you don't respect him, how about when he is your until-death partner? Any change suggestion in the husband's plans will make him think it is a criticism because of his height! Short husbands have been heard many times shouting at their wives: "Is it because I am short that you...?"

And so they are more likely to have a nasty streak as they need to prove that they are every bit as much a 'man' as their taller counterparts. This makes them violent. You can trace their attempts to prove their worth in every statement, argument, action and even sex!

A female respondent told me that a short man, with an inferiority complex will play sex with such vigour that turns the whole affair into an iron-fist operation. It becomes a competition that makes it hard for the female to enjoy. After all in a missionary position, his head is far down, around the naval area, making it difficult for her to kiss him during the act.

This makes the personality of tall men better.

The only short man women will go for is one with money. Short men need tall wallets to stand on. But if both tall and short are rich, it remains bad news.

Instinctively, women look for giants for protection and safety. And you cannot be asked to bring a giant and you turn up with a short man.

According to a BBC research, short men and tall women are less likely to get partners of their preference for marriage after the age of 30. Their chance gauge falls to zero and they settle for the next one that comes.

However don't be proud yee tall men. Being taller makes men look more attractive, but they still have to be nice people to keep anyone attracted to them for any length of time.