How to address my friend about some offensive statements?

I would imagine she wasn’t thinking about your boyfriend and how that conversation might make you feel. It is rather telling about how she actually feels about shorter men. If you really feel offended by her comments, let her know you were upset. However, my intuition is saying she wasn’t thinking about your boyfriend at all.

I’d rather you tell them that there’s more to a man than just his height. Intelligence is also an imporant factor in attractiveness, you can tell them that your boyfriend is a smart guy and sometimes some short-minded people fail to see the talent behind the curtain (just say it as if you’re on regular conversation).

Also, if they know about your boyfriend’s height you can always joke around and say “but he’s very satisfying… on bed, it was super good, unlike all those tall men that I’ve met”.

I agree with @Earthbound_Misfit. She was stating her opinion without thinking it referred to your boyfriend. At this point, I wouldn’t bring it up, since it’s now water under the bridge.

If it happened again, I’d defend him and other petite people. This time, I’d drop it.

Well that is insensitive of her. I would have suggested that you sort of make her feel guilty about her comments if she tries something like that again. Maybe say something like:

“Well I personally, find shorter men endearing. And honestly I really can’t see how a mans height is any reflection on his masculinity. I wonder if a man was to subject a woman like that in your presence if you’d be equally amused.”

Something similar happened to me. My husband is English and my daughter was born in London. We moved to Scotland where I’m from. Lots of Scottish people are anti-English. A friend at work started to talk about English people quite disparagingly saying they were loud and obnoxious, full of their own importance, generally dislikable. I ignored her initially but when she started again, I got annoyed and asked her if she disliked my husband and daughter (aged 3 at the time). It was all very awkward for a short time but we moved on and she didn’t make comments about the English after that.

I do agree with @jca that it would be awkward to bring it up now but if she does it again speak up. You’ve got nothing to lose – if a friend doesn’t change after an error of judgment has been pointed out, then she’s not that great a friend

If you want to throw in some comments in an offhand way, you can make a joke about how just because he’s short doesn’t mean he’s short in every way, or something like that. That might be a laugh and hopefully she’ll get what you’re saying.

I doubt she meant anything by it. Being short is another stereotype that’s ready material for comedy. If you had said something, your friends would probably have said something like, “Oh, NO, we don’t mean _____! HE’S a cool guy!”

That’s the way it goes with stereotypes. I was raised in a pretty racially prejudiced part of the country, and if I called people out on it, they would invariably except the person I mentioned while still perpetuating the stereotype. You gained some insight into your friends true natures.

If it bothers you, next time say something. It likely won’t change anything, but they’ll think twice about saying anything in front of you. Sparing you from having to hear it.

Check out this website of Famous short men who did not let their height define them.

http://www.findhealthtips.com/famous-short-people-history-rule-world/

Naploeon was short, and I wonder what that person whom implied inferiority in this type of man would say if they discovered if God was ‘short”?
The size of a person does not matter, just the size of their hearts.
(Giving compassion,understanding,assistance in things that matter)

Ask that of your friend?

Ignore it.

Not every offense needs to be addressed. Or accepted, for that matter.

It’s too late to say anything now, but next time just say,“he’s much taller than average lying down.”

That’ll shut her up.

I’m 6’5” and growing up I got jokes. Like skinny long necker. And was I fed miracle grow. Everyone gets teased.