So I’m 198 centimeters tall. But most of the time, when asked by a security guard at the bank or a street vendor or a waiting taxi driver who scrambles over to measure himself against my back, I say 2 meters! It’s easier. And frankly, it seems to make people happy! Huge grins and exclamations in native tongues:
“Wuaaaaah ….. 2 metah!!!”
I’m used to it by now. I’ve been tall most of my life. Well, actually, not until I turned 15 or so. I was pretty average growing up. And in fact, when I first began playing basketball (and thank god for that by the way), I started out as a point-guard. When I grew taller, I moved up to the forward position. And eventually centre when I came to the US as a high school student.
“Are you really 6’6”?”
A common question asked by the grade school kids as they waited for me to arrive at the lunchroom back in Athena, Oregon. Occasionally, I was tempted to answer: “No, I’m really 5’5”. I just look tall!”. But instead, I would say “Of course I’m 6’6”” and smile back at their huge, excited grins.
From adults, I’m often confronted with the basketball question. Or asked about the weather up here.
Regardless of the recurring questions, often, it can be quite helpful to be tall. At concerts and other public performances for example. Or if Linda is looking for me in a crowded mall. Or reaching the top shelves of cupboards. And sometimes it can be financially beneficial. I used to collect plenty of coins at the top of vending machines back in the day when coins were still used. I have no idea why people would put coins up there but almost invariably; I’d find a few quarters and sometimes enough for a snack! I’ve also stretched to retrieve many an escaped balloon to the joy of astonished teary-eyed kids. No doubt, I’ve inadvertently photobombed plenty of tourist shots while at other times been sought out to pose with much shorter fellow humans. Most of the time, it’s just innocent fun, making people smile.
Of course, there’s plenty of inconveniences as well. Flying for example. Especially budget airlines. Or shower heads, bathroom mirrors and sinks, “one size fits all” clothing. Or beds. When Linda and I travelled through Europe for a month, our first question at small B&Bs and quaint hotels was always: “Does your bed have a wooden frame border at the bottom of the mattress?” If it did, we’d move on to the next inn to check if I could fit their bed. I know. Tall world problems.
Over the years I’ve hit my head plenty of times on lamps, store signs, doorways, and anything else placed at the appropriate height. And when we go hiking, I naturally sweep the path of spiderwebs away with my head for the benefit of those behind me. Depending on the frequency of such alarming events, I may then find a ‘spider’ stick which I hold up in front of me at an angle to remove the web BEFORE it hits my face, which is always gratifying, less so for the spiders, I’m sure.
And here in Nha Trang, on the way to our favorite cafe where we go to write every morning, we must pass a business which diligently places their inflatable air human sign out front to catch the attention of potential customers. Or as in my case, knock the sunglasses off my face. Then again, in the end, you just have to roll with the punches!
