Questions: Do you feel..

I belong to a community on line called Quora Where people ask questions about various topics; from science, sex, math, programming, relationships, animal behavior, to social issues.

on X-mass morning I wrote an answer to the question Do you feel bullied as an overweight or obese person? (my answer is contained in this link, but if you don't happen to have Quora, or aren't a link clicker my answer is this:

Without a doubt, YES I feel bullied. And here are a few of examples of how!

Strangers feel like they can openly comment on whatever I am doing or eating.
-I was ordering food for several coworkers off a note of how they wanted food made. The person behind me in line commented on one of the orders "Oh, no Veggies" Like some how that must be my food. They felt the need to try to shame me about the food I was ordering.

I have been told I am a waste of space, insulted, openly mocked and laughed at.
-("Waste of space" comment came from a teacher) various insults from people I went to school, or worked with, as  well as people I do not know.

People tend to use my weight as a point in why they don't like me. 
-According to some people: if I was thin apparently I would be a less opinionated person. And thus more likable.

I have been treated like sitting next to me is as bad as getting some sort of incurable disease. 
- I was on a short not full flight, When the person I was to share the row with came to collect their seat; I was given such a look of disgust and repulsion (apparently I looked to be dressed in dog poo, from the look they gave me).  I had ample room around me, could buckle my belt and not encroach on the person sitting in the other seat as we had a set between us. He kicked up such a fuss to be moved away from me. Almost like fat was catching, and he was going to be the first victim of a full on fat attack.

Clothing store staff need to actively tell me they don't carry fashions in my size.
- I will go out shopping with friends at their request that I give them advice.  I have more often than not, had a sales person approach me while I am looking through the racks of clothing (for something for my friends) to inform me their clothes wont fit my body. 

And my favorite for of being bullied: where people who have never been fat a day in their life; tell me the things I need to do to be thin or lose weight. Like some how I never got the memo to eat better and exercise. Or that I shouldn't sit on my ass all day drinking soda and pounding big macs. Worse yet when Someone who has lost weight decides how they did it is the end all beat all. and they need to tell me their method to "inspire me".

There seems to be a vast assumption that fat people are only that way due to laziness, and unwillingness to change. 
 
We are made to defend every choice we make. Everything we eat, wear or say is constantly scrutinized. 

We are told we lie about what we eat (by doctors who are biased based on what we look like, by other people) 

We actively receive sub par medical attention when we finally seek it out medical care. Something as simple as a kidney infection, is blamed on our fat not the underlying issues ( there are so many instances of fat people not having serious issues treated because doctors aren't willing to see/treat us with dignity or respect).

To close I don't just feel bullied, I feel treated like I am not a human. Some how because of how I look, I don't deserve basic human respect. Like I am less than other people because of my body.


My answer as of last week has been getting a whole lot of attention. 
I thought I would share this question with you my readers and see what you think/feel.

Lots of love:
Raven