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Tired of traveling overweight? Try Tonga!
I just read a great article in the San Francisco Chronicle about overweight travelers and a way for them to get away from the judgmental eyes of the "skinny finicky foreigners." The answer? TONGA.
Apparently, in Tonga being overweight is not quite the disaster that we as Westerners say it is -- to the contrary, being larger in the island nation is a sign of "wealth and social standing," kind of like 17th century France. Perhaps they have yet to get the memo on heart disease and diabetes.
I don't mean to sound critical, but the whole idea of traveling to a place where you can be accepted for being overweight seems kind of like circumventing the real issue. The problem is still there; you've just gone to a place where people won't bother you about it. Is that helping you resolve the matter?
But my favorite part of the article is a quote from NAAFA, the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance:
"When you get to your seat during pre-boarding, raise the armrest between seats. This may give you the inch or two of extra space you need. The chances are that the passenger who will be seated next to you won't say anything; if he does, smile pleasantly and say that you'll both be more comfortable if the armrest is up."
Will you be more comfortable?
Read Catherine's article on why Disneyland had to shut down It's a Small World After All this year here.
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Space most definitely isn't an issue in the new Singapore Airlines A380! Check it out:
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
NYChic Feb 5th 2008 12:12PM
"When you get to your seat during pre-boarding, raise the armrest between seats. This may give you the inch or two of extra space you need. The chances are that the passenger who will be seated next to you won't say anything; if he does, smile pleasantly and say that you'll both be more comfortable if the armrest is up."
What an assinine statement!! What makes me comfortable on a plane is having the ENTIRE seat that I pay for, to myself. Having paid the same fare, I am entitled to my entire seat. No more. No less. I don't see how someone infringing on my personal space would make both of us 'more comfortable'. I'm sure someone will attack me, and say that I am inconsiderate of those passengers of size, I ask you, how is it inconsiderate to expect to have full use of a seat that I pay for? How is it considerate for some fat passenger to expect me to give up part of a seat that I paid for?
Sheri Brockett Feb 7th 2008 10:58AM
To NYChic and everyone else concerned about the space they paid for being encroached upon, as a woman who is on the sizing borderline between missy and women's sizes, I too, do not like anyone else invading my personal space. Perhaps we would all be best served if we complained to the airlines about the ridiculously "sardine can" seating that they offer everyone save first class. I have never heard anyone, including height-weight proportionate people, say that they have adequate room to be comfortable. Let's work for meaningful change, instead of bickering amongst ourselves, accomplishing nothing.
cstaley Feb 12th 2008 11:21PM
You are not in the least inconsiderate. You're perfectly correct. Being of large size does not entitle one to special privilege, not does it entitle one to make others uncomfortable or to take from them their property (e.g. a legally purchased airline seat). If someone chooses to be large, that is their business, and they should not be discriminated against in areas where their size does not hurt others. But they are responsible for their choice, and for paying for two airline seats if they cannot fit into one.
Sarah Feb 5th 2008 1:04PM
Do you go on vacation to "resolve" your problems? Why is this "circumventing the real issue?" Should fat people always be painfully aware of what's wrong with them and how they should change, even on vacation? Maybe some of them would like to spend a couple weeks without worrying what other people think about them.
Jennifer Feb 7th 2008 11:34AM
I totally agree...I deal with being fat everyday, every step of my life. To those of you that dont have a weight problem you have no idea...none..how hard it is to loose the weight. I am always on a diet! I would love to go somewhere where just for a few days, weeks I dont have to feel embaressed of who I am. I would love to go somewhere where someone doesnt give me dirty looks. And for the passenger who wants all his money worth on the seat he baught..I see your piont but dont worry if I ever sit next to you and nned to raise the arm I'll throw a $20 at you to pay for the extra 2 inches that obviously are more important to you then human kindness!
kyle Feb 5th 2008 1:05PM
I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tonga. Tongans can be pretty big, but I rarely saw a overly obese person. It's just how they're built.
On the other scale, some Tongan women and men were very good looking. Like anyway, you have good and bad.
And yes, Tonga got the memo on heart disease and diabetes. The Former king would run (when he was younger) along the water front in Nuku'alofa.
If you head to Tonga and somebody says "Sino Lelei" your doing good. It means good fat (just the right amount).
Malo
Karen Feb 7th 2008 8:30PM
Malo lelei! When were you in Tonga as a Peace Corps Volunteer? I was there in the 1970s as a PCV. I agree with your comment about the Tongans - I did not consider them obese - just very tall, big-boned people - and very beautiful....
U Feb 7th 2008 6:59AM
I can't understand why this is seen as being such a bad thing? It's not like going on one vacation is what's keeping overweight people from being fit and happy! Plus, isn't the idea of "vacation" to get away from all the hassles that you deal with on a daily basis? I think your article shows your bias against fat people, and like most people with that bias, I don't think you really care about fat people and their health, you just make mean-spirited comments towards them to make yourself feel better. SMH.
Ann Feb 7th 2008 9:04AM
Well said!!
Jennifer Feb 7th 2008 7:06AM
Everyone deserves to feel beautiful and accepted for who they are... skinny people have diabetes and heart disease too... but as long as they are thin and beautiful, its ok, right? What is wrong with this country and its obsession with weight? Its the reason most of us have eating disorders and are overweight.... too much attention to it being a horrible problem! When in reality, the only problem are the people calling attention to it like its a plague... possitive thinking and reinforcement gets better results than negative. Its pretty bad that even after losing 70lbs myself (And I was an active overweight person before.. I lost weight when I went to college just from the change in lifestyle) I still feel like I am worthless and huge because of what these type of people are compairing me to. Be possitive with people and see what happens then... sicknesses will always be around... just seems like we have to blame the people for something that will be here dispite it all.
sixmedic01 Feb 7th 2008 7:09AM
I don't care who is sitting next to me, that arm rest is staying down...i would not give up an inch of the space i pay for to let someone bulge there fat onto me...that is touching someone innapropriately, and is gross and disgusting....
Rivka Feb 7th 2008 8:12AM
If you are, in fact, a medic of any kind, I greatly pity your patients.
Keri Feb 7th 2008 7:19AM
If someone wishes to travel where they feel they won't be "judged" based on their appearance, more power to them; it's certainly their right to choose where they vacation and to relax and enjoy it.
As for the armrest on the plane. I think not. Not only have I paid for my seat and the space that goes along with it, I have no desire to have my seat mate, larger or smaller spilling into my seat, onto my lap, etc. I'm sorry but if the seat doesn't accomodate you, you have the option to purchase additional space. You have no right to expect me to give up an inch of mine to accomodate, you have no right to remove the barrier that defines our space. You certainly have no right to make me additionally uncomfortable by having your body (a strangers) up against mine. Consider for a moment, would you like it if I raised my seat arm, and used you to support my pillow during my nap? Of course not, you would not want me infringing on your space and leaning against you to make myself more comfortable.
It's simple if the seat does not accomodate you, then you need to purchase an additional seat and not expect a stranger to allow you to infringe on the space that they have paid for.
You seem not to be giving any consideration to those say children, those with such conditions as Autism, Aspergers, Anxiety, etc.
suse Feb 8th 2008 6:56AM
well said
Gc Feb 7th 2008 7:46AM
We have laws on the books making it illegal to discriminate against anyone for every reason under the sun... except obesity. Obesity is not a crime nor is it an issue that all obese people feel need "resolving." It never ceases to amaze me the amount of "holier than thou" figures out there who feel it is OK to say and do anything they want to obesity people. Remember "do unto others"...
pk Feb 7th 2008 7:50AM
" Is that helping you resolve the matter?"
What the heck? People don't go on vacation to "resolve" any weight issues they might have. I'm so tired of hearing how obese everyone is becoming. If that's the case, why is it that there are so many anorexics? Stop telling people what they should/shouldn't do, or go tell thin people to "just eat something!"
meee Feb 7th 2008 7:54AM
As a nation I feel it is critical we waste our time with crap like this. war, inflation, our economy all pale in comparison to fat people traveling. I am fat but I am happy and go where I please.
Lisa Feb 7th 2008 7:53AM
My mother has serious health problems and is unable to lose weight. I have seen for myself her being treated less than other people because of her weight. I have heard her crying because she is so unhappy from the way people talk about her weight like she is deaf too. It deeply hurts when some discriminates ones that are over weight. Not all are by choice or because of them over eating. Some treat them worst than dogs and it's so wrong. So many are good christians and good people that love everyone and would do anything to help others. Ever notice how ones that are super skinny and have eating disorders are accepted yet not ones over weight? If I had the money I would send my mother there away from the US so that she would be accepted for herself the way she is.
RAPatient Feb 7th 2008 12:53PM
I was diagnosed 23 years ago with an autoimmune disease that destorys my joints. I was thin and highly active at the time. I am now obese because of years of steroids and serious health issues affecting my ability to walk much less exercise. I know first hand that there are other reasons for obesity than overeating. I eat less than any of my friends or family yet am still large. Also, I fly regularly, but I always talk to the person next to me and confront the issue of my size. I keep the arm rest down for their comfort and not once in years of flying have I had someone be mean about my size once I address it. I know I am big and I try to be respectful of those around me but I also know that my size is due to matters out of my hands.
stacey Feb 7th 2008 8:04AM
I CANNOT BELIEVE PEOPLE WOULD SAY SOME OF THE THINGS THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT A FRIGGEN ARMREST REALLY THESE PLANES WERE MADE A LONG TIME AGO AND OUR NATION IS OBESE SO LIFTING THE ARMREST SHOULD NOT BE THAT BIG OF A DEAL LET ME ASK YOU THIS I AM A LIITLE CHUBBY BUT I AM SHORT SHOULD I NOT RAISE MY SEATBACK UP FOR A TALL SKINNY PERSON PLEASE GROW UP RAISE THE ARMREST AND SHUT UP IF YOU NEED MORE ROOM AND FAT PEOPLE ARE DISGUSTING TO YOU (SIXMEDIC01) GO AHEAD AND PURCHASE FIRST CLASS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO SAD HOW SOMEONE WITH THE NAME MEDIC CAN EVEN SAY THOSE THINGS I HOPE YOUR REALLY NOT IN HEALTHCARE