The more a person
deviates from average size, the more difficult it becomes
to find comfortable, secure accommodations. All sorts of
situations present the potential for embarrassment and
discomfort. Going to restaurants, theaters, medical
offices, amusement parks, or even using public
transportation presents the potential for a humiliating
experience, to say nothing of being unable to enjoy being
out in the world with others.
One car manufacturer mentioned to me that cars are
designed for the "95% man." That leaves 5% of
the population who just don't fit behind the wheel of a
car. An even larger number may fit, but they sure aren't
comfortable . . . or safe.
I recently had to wait at a Midas Muffler shop for over
two hours while having some work done. There were several
chairs in the waiting area, all exactly the same - metal
with very uncomfortable arms that bruised my hips. Is it
asking so much that businesses provide armless seating?
This certainly has not been my only experience with
inadequate seating. Of course, if a company just simply
has too much business, perhaps it can afford to alienate
one third of the adult population. It seems like bad
policy to me.
It can be difficult to get the rest of the world to
satisfy our needs. Unfortunately, many people withdraw as
they gain weight, staying home rather than risking
embarrassment. Leading a life of seclusion and missing
out on experiences just because of poor accommodations is
a terrible waste. It is possible to furnish your home
with seating that fits both your lifestyle and your hips.
We can also work on improving public accommodations.
From this page we will offer tips for buying sturdy,
attractive furniture and ways to make your home safer and
more comfortable, to find roomy transportation, and to
locate comfortable hotels, restaurants, and theater and
recreation possibilities. Visit often.
"When at a
restaurant or other public place, if some of the chairs
have arms on them and some don’t, I think nothing of
asking for the one without. Or trading or moving the
chairs around. I’ll tell people it’s not
comfortable for me to sit in a booth. It doesn’t
embarrass me anymore. I’m not pushy about it, but I
don’t ask in an apologetic way. I am large, and I
expect to be treated in an accommodating way."
Randy
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