We were at a child's birthday party recently when I observed Caroline having this interesting conversation with a stranger:
Caroline: Wow, your daughter is very tall. (sizes up stranger) Well, you are tall as well so that explains it.
Stranger: Well her dad is very tall.
Caroline: Oh really? How tall is he?
At this point the stranger is very uncomfortable and pauses, looking up toward the sky as if imagining her husband or hoping the answer is written on the ceiling. After an incredibly long pause, by which time Caroline is surely wishing that she had not put this woman on the spot, the stranger replies:
"About 5 foot 9" Caroline and I both politely nod as if 5'9" is indeed tall for a man. I was not aware until this moment that some Americans have no concept of height.
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