In my line of work, I often meet potential clients at Starbucks for the first time. Because we've never seen each other, it's always been my habit to describe myself as "short and round with big curly brown hair" and no one has ever missed me. I can always tell if the person I am meeting is a chubster, too, because they giggle at my comment.

Today, I was the only female in the place when a heavier lady walked in who was obviously looking for me. I waved her over to the table and she looked at me and said, "I thought you said you were round. Were you trying to be funny? Making fun of fat people isn't a joke.'

EHRMAHGHERRRRRRRD!!!

I never even thought about it. I'm still short, I still have big, curly hair, but I'm no longer round. Last year at this time, I was a snug 20/XXL and now I'm a comfy size 10 in skinny pants/medium top. It took me a minute to even figure out what the heck she was referring to when she made the comment.

I was so stunned at what happened, I stuttered over my explanation. I tried to explain that I've lost a bunch of weight, yada, yada, yada, but from the look on her face and her response back, I'm pretty sure I offended her and I won't be hearing from her again.


Whooooops! There's a habit I'll have to break.

I hope people sit on a towel. Just sayin.

I just threw up in my mouth a little...

Good riddance if you ask me... Doesn't sound like anyone I'd want to work with.

I can understand, sort of, how the woman might have been initially offended... but she should have cut you some slack as soon as you explained! I still have times when in my mind I label myself as obese, even though I weigh 130... and then I remind myself of the reality. After many years of being obese, and only 1 year of being thinner - its still an adjustment. Particularly if the woman was overweight, she probably felt judged somehow, even though it had nothing to do with her and everything to do with what is going on in YOUR life. It's true, you just have to work a distinctive new look - a haircut, those red boots, the flower gman mentioned... something that people can identify immediately as YOU. It's nice to have to find a new trademark!