You just look like a complete twat.

[Muttley]

Errr, especially if the pink tights come in XXXXXL, then it is almost GBH, oh my eyes, my poor poor eyes.... Whenever I see something like that I really wonder if I should be happy that the laser surgery on my eyes has worked that well.

I just went around a large shopping centre. (no prozes for guessing which one). It got to the point where I the denizens were making me feel physically ill. Not fun at all.

Incidentally, how bad was your eyesight previously? I think my eyes are beyond redemption

Stone

I was blind as a bat, - 8.5 and minus 9.1, I hated having to wear glasses or getting dust under the contacts, but the small mercy was that I could take the glasses off when I encountered the pink lycra fraction. Why do so many grossly obese people insist on wearing lyrca (preferably bright neon colours)? It's always like the Jerry Springer show, you really don't want to watch, you don't want to see it, but somehow you are staring at them in a state of shock, unable to look any other way

[Firefox]

Meadowhell?

I'm going there tomorrow Quite like it, if honest...

I do too! I very rarely find it to be that hellacious, except maybe right before Xmas (and where isn't at that time of year?)

In fact, I fucking love Sheffield in general. I was up there this week present shopping. I arrived just after lunch. Parked up in the centre; four hours for £2.40, tons of spaces everywhere as usual. Got myself a nice fully-customised Coopland's sandwich and sat in the new gardens next to the town hall. The sun was shining. Lots of mums had brought their little kids to splash in the fountains; said kids were going mental with excitement. There were a couple of acrobat dudes practicing back-flips and Luke Skywalker -stylee one-handed handstands. People just generally chilling out and being happy.

[PFVA]

Why do so many grossly obese people insist on wearing lyrca (preferably bright neon colours)?

Nor around here. Somehow they prefer to wear small shorts and mini-skirts.
_____________________

[Firefox]

Bluewater? Meadowhell?

Bluewater. And as promised you win nothing

I liked Bluewater. Only been there a few times on my way down to see a mate in Kent. It's so big that it has room for a fair few speciality shops, which I thought made it better than a lot of generic malls. I seem to remember there was even one that sold ye olde maritime lamps and ships' wheels.

I thought the old chalk pit location was pretty cool too. I had no idea the place even existed the day before I visited: One of my mates had heard I was going down to Kent for the weekend and said "You've got to visit Bluewater on your way." So I followed the signs and suddenly my ship's decending into this fuck-off big white crater with a huge shopping centre in the bottom of it!

[metal_head]

Walking is a very under appreciated skill....I cant do it.

[Muttley]

Why do so many grossly obese people insist on wearing lyrca (preferably bright neon colours)?

Nor around here. Somehow they prefer to wear small shorts and mini-skirts.
_____________________

OUCH

Call me a meanie, but I happen to prefer cottage cheese on a plate and not on legs. Cellulite is hardly one of the most pleasant sights, so why are they so keen to show it off? Seems that once they are in danger of attracting the Japanese whaling fleet they also lose perspective of their size and what suits them.

I blame the fashion industry, certain items simply should not be produced in rather large sizes. Mind you about 2 years ago I found a fantastic outlet store, the stuff they had was absolutely disgusting and mainly lingerie in huge sizes, vinyl and lace g-string bodies and such. I bought some and put them on eBay and guess what? They sold like fresh bread and made me a fortune. Now the price I paid for it was very high, I had nightmares where I dreamed about having to see them worn...

[Stone]

I liked Bluewater. Only been there a few times on my way down to see a mate in Kent. It's so big that it has room for a fair few speciality shops, which I thought made it better than a lot of generic malls. I seem to remember there was even one that sold ye olde maritime lamps and ships' wheels.

I don't think that's there any more (didn't see it today, at any rate) but there's still some very odd specialty things...a shop selling nothing but 'teddies and bunnies'? There's a couple of nice craft-y stype shops run by Wiccans there too, always interesting to see what they have tucked away

I thought the old chalk pit location was pretty cool too. I had no idea the place even existed the day before I visited: One of my mates had heard I was going down to Kent for the weekend and said "You've got to visit Bluewater on your way." So I followed the signs and suddenly my ship's decending into this fuck-off big white crater with a huge shopping centre in the bottom of it!

The crater opposite is apparently going to have 8000 homes put in it Scary.

I was blind as a bat, - 8.5 and minus 9.1, I hated having to wear glasses or getting dust under the contacts, but the small mercy was that I could take the glasses off when I encountered the pink lycra fraction.

I'm -9.0 and -7.0 for contacts, -10.5 and -8.5 for glasses. I was put off the laser treatments by how likely it is you'll still need glasses/contacts at the end, and the 10% risk of it getting worse or blindness I saw quoted Do you still have reading glasses or something, or are you 'normal'?

Stone

[Muttley]

Got perfect vision and was also shortsighted, worked like a charm and basically worked for all of my friends that had it. Mine was 5 years ago and my eyesight is still perfect, it is a bit uncomfy and not the nicest thing you may ever experience but the result ist definitely worth it

[darkladywolf]

I blame the fashion industry, certain items simply should not be produced in rather large sizes. Mind you about 2 years ago I found a fantastic outlet store, the stuff they had was absolutely disgusting and mainly lingerie in huge sizes, vinyl and lace g-string bodies and such. I bought some and put them on eBay and guess what? They sold like fresh bread and made me a fortune. Now the price I paid for it was very high, I had nightmares where I dreamed about having to see them worn...

*grumbles*This is just one of my major pet peeves. The fashion industry rarely makes nice, sexy stuff for larger people, and if they actually slip up and happen to do it, the stores sell out and apparently never get it in again. There are those of us who are large that like wearing sexy stuff and not tents, and those of us who like seeing a larger person in somethng sexy.

Not that I see pink lycra as sexy in general. Not many get away with it.

[Muttley]

Lisa, there is a difference between being larger and dressing sexy or just being a blob and squeezing yourself into pink lycra. Let's face it over size 12 thongs are hardly flattering.
I know a lot of bigger girls who are sexy and dress sexy, but sexy is not what the fashion industrie dictates, most of them have a great cleavage and they don't wear tents, but they also don't squeeze themselves into lycra or boob tubes... The worst fashion faux pas seem to be the hipster trousers worn with a very short tank top, they are hardly flattering on a size 8 14 year old but on anybody over size 12 they are just simply cruel for innocent bystanders.
There seem to be 2 general misconceptions among larger people, one is wearing skin tight clothes that makes them look like a sausage, the other one is wearing tents, the "emphasize your good points and hide the bad ones" seems to have vanished completely

[darkladywolf]

Lisa, there is a difference between being larger and dressing sexy or just being a blob and squeezing yourself into pink lycra. Let's face it over size 12 thongs are hardly flattering.

*grins*I have seen women who are size 26 look quite sexy in thongs. Of course, I've seen women of size 18 in thongs who....don't. It all depends on body type and shape. And I guess 'orientation' of the viewer.

I know a lot of bigger girls who are sexy and dress sexy, but sexy is not what the fashion industrie dictates, most of them have a great cleavage and they don't wear tents, but they also don't squeeze themselves into lycra or boob tubes... The worst fashion faux pas seem to be the hipster trousers worn with a very short tank top, they are hardly flattering on a size 8 14 year old but on anybody over size 12 they are just simply cruel for innocent bystanders.
There seem to be 2 general misconceptions among larger people, one is wearing skin tight clothes that makes them look like a sausage, the other one is wearing tents, the "emphasize your good points and hide the bad ones" seems to have vanished completely

I can't say I agree with all of this. I think this comes down to 'what floats your boat'. I agree with 'emphasising your good points etc'. But what one person sees as a good point, another will just go 'eeewww' over. The way I look at it, you wear what you like, what you feel comfortable in, and screw anyone else because you won't please everyone.

I've noticed that those that are 'comfortable' in their body tend to be 'sexier' than those that aren't, no matter what your body shape/size. They move and present themselves more confidently. Those that dress to be 'hip' or to 'fit in' often arent' that comfortable and don't come off as 'sexy'.

[Muttley]

*grins*I have seen women who are size 26 look quite sexy in thongs. Of course, I've seen women of size 18 in thongs who....don't. It all depends on body type and shape. And I guess 'orientation' of the viewer.

I know a lot of bigger girls who are sexy and dress sexy, but sexy is not what the fashion industrie dictates, most of them have a great cleavage and they don't wear tents, but they also don't squeeze themselves into lycra or boob tubes... The worst fashion faux pas seem to be the hipster trousers worn with a very short tank top, they are hardly flattering on a size 8 14 year old but on anybody over size 12 they are just simply cruel for innocent bystanders.
There seem to be 2 general misconceptions among larger people, one is wearing skin tight clothes that makes them look like a sausage, the other one is wearing tents, the "emphasize your good points and hide the bad ones" seems to have vanished completely

I can't say I agree with all of this. I think this comes down to 'what floats your boat'. I agree with 'emphasising your good points etc'. But what one person sees as a good point, another will just go 'eeewww' over. The way I look at it, you wear what you like, what you feel comfortable in, and screw anyone else because you won't please everyone.

I've noticed that those that are 'comfortable' in their body tend to be 'sexier' than those that aren't, no matter what your body shape/size. They move and present themselves more confidently. Those that dress to be 'hip' or to 'fit in' often arent' that comfortable and don't come off as 'sexy'.

Of course being confident is sexy in itself so I would agree, but honestly, some people just don't think about what they are doing to the eyes of others. In general if a body is sort of well maintained and looked after, it doesn't really matter if somebody's a bit overweight but far too often they look so neglected that it is offensive. Sorry if I'm biased but I still remember some 300 lbs plus lady wobbling up to me in LA and telling me how I'm ruining my and her health by smoking a ciggy outside, before shifting her bulk into a big jeep again - I dunno know how many cigs I would have to smoke to make up for the exhaust and I dunno how much 2nd hand smoke would be required to cause the same damage to her body as her cholesterol levels do....

[Stone]

Got perfect vision and was also shortsighted, worked like a charm and basically worked for all of my friends that had it. Mine was 5 years ago and my eyesight is still perfect, it is a bit uncomfy and not the nicest thing you may ever experience but the result ist definitely worth it

I'll think about it I can cope with contacts at the moment...

Stone

[Stone]

As for the 'wide loads' debate I seem to be in agreement with everyone

All else being equal, fat is wide is large is lardy, but some people carry it off *much* better than others. When people give up trying (for themselves if nobody else) is where it goes wrong IMO...

Stone

[darkladywolf]

Of course being confident is sexy in itself so I would agree, but honestly, some people just don't think about what they are doing to the eyes of others. In general if a body is sort of well maintained and looked after, it doesn't really matter if somebody's a bit overweight but far too often they look so neglected that it is offensive. Sorry if I'm biased but I still remember some 300 lbs plus lady wobbling up to me in LA and telling me how I'm ruining my and her health by smoking a ciggy outside, before shifting her bulk into a big jeep again - I dunno know how many cigs I would have to smoke to make up for the exhaust and I dunno how much 2nd hand smoke would be required to cause the same damage to her body as her cholesterol levels do....

In the case of that woman, then I agree that you had a right to be annoyed/whatever by her. As to the rest...well yes there are a lot of fat people who don't look after themselves. There are also a lot of thin folks who don't.

In certain areas here we have the 'stereotypical teenage mother': scrappy clothes, hollow cheeks, cigarette hanging out of her mouth, dribbling ash on the child, makeup usually plastered on like she was drunk...you get the picture.

I'm probably being a little sensitive over this but I've had too many friends 'told' what they should and shouldn't wear due to being greater than a size 16. I know too many overweight people (some who are overweight because of medical conditions) who have low self esteem because they are constantly being put down due to being overweight. And those same people have to 'suffer' when trying to find decent clothes. So really I've come to the conclusion that some people will find you 'offensive' no matter how well you're dressed if you're overweight, so why not just please yourself.

Yes there are those (the fat people who have let themselves go, as well as the thin people who have) who might be 'offensive' but those are the ones who've given up. And we're not likely to change them are we? So I just ignore them and let my eyes skim past to the next man or woman who suits my fancy.