Unique travel problems only tall people have to deal with

The weather may not be different for tall people, but a lot of travel experiences can be when you stick out like a sore thumb.

There are a lot of amazing things about being tall. Being able to see over a crowd, for one. Reaching the top shelf, for another. But when it comes to travelling, things can be a lot easier for the average-sized person. And if someone is short? A downright breeze.

Everyday things like public transport, building sizes, clothing sizes, blending in and more become a chore when you’re well above the national average height. Especially when it comes to these six things.

1. Fitting into public transport

RIP knees on a long haul flight. (Image: Getty/LuboIvanko)

Aeroplanes and public transport seats are made for the average human. If you’re bigger than that, then trying to make yourself fit into these spaces can be like fitting a round peg into a square hole.

The worst part is, that although we tall people do our best to compact down small and take as little room as possible, often we simply can’t help that we need more legroom. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been shot angry looks on packed public transport all around the world because the only way I can fit into the seat (particularly buses) is on an angle.  I understand it’s annoying to have someone encroaching on your seat, but I’m doing my best. And god help anyone who has to sit across from me instead of next to me.

And then you factor in transport options like catching a xe ôm in Vietnam, where I promise the tall people in your life will fear for their kneecaps several times in one journey as their very short driver tries to fit into gaps between cars where their extended knees simply won’t go.

2. Blending in with the crowd

I don’t know these kids, but their Mum asked me to take a photo.

The first advice you get when you start travelling solo is to blend into your surroundings as much as possible. I’ll be honest, as a six-foot woman I’ve often been the tallest one in the room even here in Australia. So for me in foreign countries around Asia, South America and Africa, the ‘blending in’ ship has well and truly sailed.

So what do we have to do? We have to look really friendly (or scary, depending on the tall person in question) and hope that any scammers or people with ill intent decide not to mess with us. Luckily, it hasn’t been a problem for me yet, so maybe it actually works. Judging by the number of people overseas who have stopped me – the giant woman – to ask for photos, it seems like it must be.

3. Dealing with carry-on allowances

This is not enough for a weekend change of clothes when you’re tall. (Image: Scott Webb)

Carry-on weight limits are also wildly unfair when a single item from a tall person’s closet already weighs more than a single item of clothing belonging to somebody shorter. My five-foot-four best friend, for example, rarely needs to check a bag for her week-long trips. For me, however, it’s a different story. I can easily fit what I need for a long weekend in a bag that fits the carry-on dimensions. The problem is, it always weighs more. Even just one of my shoes, at size 10.5, is huge and kind of heavy.

4. Literally not fitting in the building

Irish doors are incredibly cute but, when you head to the country, also incredibly short. (Image: Robert Anasch)

Sure, Australia doesn’t always cater to the tallest among us, but other countries with a much lower average height don’t cater to tall people anywhere. Yep, many Asian countries can be the worst for this, with staircases and doorways all being made for much, MUCH shorter people than myself. Things get especially awkward when you need to use a toilet or change room and the walls barely reach your shoulders. Or try having a shower when the nozzle is only chest height.

5. Trying to buy clothes

Get ready to show off your ankles, and not as a fashion statement. (Image: Jeshoot)

If you’re a tall person travelling outside the Western World, you can just about forget trying to buy any cute wardrobe additions while you’re over there. Forget the markets, forget cute t-shirts and forget trying to buy anything local – like beautiful handwoven silk pieces in Cambodia. Even tailoring, popular for many tourists in places like Vietnam, will cost you more as most seamstresses charge per metre of fabric.

That also goes for any dress-up (or dress-down) experiences in these countries. Like hotel robes, forget about it. And in Japan, where some stunning accommodations give you kimonos instead of robes, sadly your lanky arms will poke all the way out and it’s likely to be a mini dress.

6. Being the tallest in the audience

Tall people better be ready for hate during a concert. (Image: John Price)

If the Taylor Swift craze has taught us anything, it’s that fans will travel for their favourite acts. There are also many local events that I want to experience as a traveller, but no one is meaner in a crowd than the shorter person behind you.

When you’re in the standing area, everyone who’s shorter than tends to believe they should automatically be let in front, even though just about everyone is shorter than you. If you let them all in front you’d be standing right up the back. Even though you lined up for hours. Even though you never once tried to push your way further to the front or intentionally stepped in front of someone shorter than you. Even though you’re not wearing heels or hats or anything else to make yourself taller.

Enjoyed this? Read about what it’s really like to travel as a plus-size person.