It's interesting how differently I'm treated these days

[Fluffnomore 1,235]

I'm a pretty average looking person, I think. Very casual style, minimal makeup when I remember to wear it. I see a HUGE difference in how I'm treated when I put makeup on, and I do know how to put makeup on, as a performer.

I have been told by one of my former colleagues and mentors that she believes that one reason I haven't gotten certain jobs I've tried for is that there is still a pervasive prejudice out there for women in their 40s, particularly, who give the impression of having "let themselves go" in any way. It gets in the way of presenting oneself as competent. It is incredible.

[PGee 318]

Well it happened last week......one woman who works at my doctor's office has always had a puss on her face when I go in---could barely get a grunt out of her when I did my typical greeting "good morning, how are you?"....and because she was so miserable over the years, I always went out of my way to be pleasant.....

I mentioned it to my husband, and he didn't know what I was talking about, because she's always friendly to him.......I always wondered if I had done something or if it was my being morbidly obese----or if she was a generally miserable person......got my answer the other day.

I greet her as I always have.....and she was actually pleasant, we had an conversation......someone in that profession should be a bit more professional......I nearly called her out on it.......but decided what's the point........

[njsweetiepie 6]

I am a few days late but congrats to your bosses new attitude towards you. Just a thought maybe since loosing weight you have gained more confidence and drawing more people to you?

[laurivgs 27]

I am a month late. but this sleeve is going to be such a blessing for me.my co-worker's hide food from me. i don't even like eating infront of people.my boss thinks she's helping me by saying that's to much temptation for her we need to move the Snacks from her office . i go home crying sometimes. so I'm hoping things change for me like they did for u. congrats on the nomination !!

[BrantS1976 243]

I know what you mean. At 383 pounds I was obviously conspicuous anywhere I went, yet was somehow invisible. I think some of that was of my own choosing. In hindsight I generally kept my eyes down and avoided interactions. While I still have a long way to go, I have lost 70 pounds and am already noticing a change in how I am treated. Women start conversations with me in the produce section of the grocery store (don't think they're flirting as my son was with me and the wedding ring on my finger is quite obvious), clerks in stores are more quick to wait on me, etc. While it would be easy to attribute this to a societal preference for thin people, I have to point the finger at myself too. I was more than willing to fade into the background and did my best to do so.