Anyone noticed people are nicer when you’re skinnier?

Yes, after I lost 60 pounds, I definitely noticed a difference in how I was treated by others, especially those who I did not know well or at all.
However, I was also more confident, friendlier, and happier myself. So I believe if you are comfortable in your own skin, people pick up on that and are more drawn to you.

tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »

I think it is more about our own attitude. When some of us are overweight we suffer low self esteem, low self confidence, we don't look people in the eye, we are gloomy etc...people respond to that in a fairly low key manner. When we have lost weight some of us have more self esteem, self confidence, we smile more, we are more engaging...people respond to that in a positive way.

This has been my experience. On the days I'm feeling more confident, I'm making more eye contact and people are more likely to engage me on those days. It happens regardless of my weight.

I unintentionally lost 40 pounds several years ago and noticed this before I even noticed I had lost the weight. Although the biggest difference was with Sephora employees so not really a group I'm desperate for attention from.

Absoultey YES. first thing I noticed was after losing 50 people stopped going sideways and avoiding eye contact passing me in the hall in my office building (I always walk straight forward). I am also no longer "invisible" in stores or in public like I used to be. People and staff will actually approach, talk to and help me. I also notice people actually looking at me in my periferal vision (again no longer invsible). I have always been very aware of people around me and I have always been very friendly. I tend to engage in conversation with complete strangers everywhere I go (even just standing in line at a store). There is a huge difference in the manner people react to me now as opposed to when I was heavier. I tend to stand out because I have no fear in openly engaging in conversation with strangers. Maybe it's cuz I'm Canadian eh 😉

TavistockToad wrote: »

gallicinvasion wrote: »

It’s more like observing differences in behavior (more people initiating conversation, more smiling, etc), rather than assuming thoughts.

And your behaviour hasn't changed at all since losing weight?

I know you weren't responding to me but I lost over 40 pounds quickly and completely unintentionally about 6 years ago. I noticed people treating me better before I even realized I looked different. The weight loss was due to a period of extremely bad anxiety so it definitely wasn't my sparkling personality making people treat me better.

long_for_me wrote: »

Yes, they do. Random people make me compliments. This did not happen 24lbs ago...I still have 70 to go, but the more weight I lose, the more attention I get. For me, the attention starts around BMI of 31 and peaks at BMI24...

This is interesting. I've been between 20-22 BMI for most of my life, I'm fit and athletic, and I don't get compliments about my appearance. People are nice to me, and people do look at me, but they don't mention my looks at all when they speak to me. Some older guy a few weeks ago asked me how I trained my calf muscles because he was having no luck with his, but that's literally the only thing a random stranger has said to me about my appearance in years (at least that I can remember.) Well, that's not completely true. Doctors always use words like "fit" and "lean" and "active" when talking about me. But I wouldn't say those were random stranger compliments. I do get compliments on some of the witty crap I say in the moment. I amuse some people. So there's that.

I wonder why some people get compliments and others don't. Must be something about their demeanor that makes people feel comfortable (or not) doing it. I'm actually glad people don't compliment me on my appearance, because I think it would be awkward. How are you supposed to respond to it: "I know, right? I look amazing!" (so conceited even if it's true) or are you supposed to downplay or deny it (fake humility). I'm probably a little bit (or lot bit) socially awkward and people can sense that so they don't go there.