If you are Indian, you would know the pain that comes with having relatives who are nosy, mindless talkers and are always offering unsolicited advice. Sorry, not sorry. Snide and unhealthy comments affect an individual in the long run, in ways that might not always be obvious.
One thing that, more often than not, becomes a topic of discussion whenever there's a family gathering, is someone's body weight.?If you are fat, it's a problem. If you are skinny, it's a problem. There is no pleasing them but not like that is our main agenda in life. However, it doesn't stop them from giving their two cents on things that don't matter and this Twitter thread explains it so well.
Twitter user @anj3llyfish posted a thread about the time she was visiting her relatives in India for two years in a row and how her grand-uncle had some comments to make about her weight.
Apparently, in the second year, she had lost some weight she was carrying around in the first year and the change is something her uncle just had to comment on.
Now, some of you might be thinking, "She lost weight. Why would she have a problem with him pointing that out? Isn't that a good thing?"
No, not necessarily. Losing and gaining weight is a natural process but a personal one. You don't know what a person has gone through and commenting on anyone's body regardless of how you know them is a no-no. She explains it quite well.
Eating disorders are a very serious problem and weight loss isn't always sign that things are going well. So, should you be really pointing it out? without knowing their journey or intention? Probably not.
The conversation took a complete U-turn and her uncle changed his narrative to the fact that she looked malnourished.?
Do you realise how easy it is for some people to change their opinion within seconds just because they had a foot in the mouth situation. It cannot be stressed enough - Someone else's body is none of your business.
She further talks about how if anyone thinks it is okay to comment on someone else's body, they should stop. Our approach to sensitive issues like this speak volumes about our own character, and no matter how close you are to a person, understand that they might be going through things that you don't have any idea about.
We have no right to diss anyone's physical presence and by commenting on weight loss/gain, we are trying to imply that their former body was bad/good; honestly, who're we to judge that?
She also clarifies that her experience is far away from the fat-shaming and body-shaming people face every day, but she does want to a make a point about commenting on physical appearances is unacceptable.
Ending her thread, she makes an excellent point that since people are quarantined right now and have probably stocked up a lot of food, it might be a difficult time for those suffering from eating disorders and isolation can trigger mental health issues.?
So, if you are someone who is going through the same, her kind words might be of some help!
Don't let anyone bring you down.