Pear Shaped Women 4

[Lunatic]

In an effort to please the forum gods I shall try to break out the pear-shaped woman debate from the 'going pear shaped' debate.

I really don't want to offend any pear-shaped people out there, but calling a woman "pear-shaped", at least in the US, will not be taken as a compliment, even if it is a natural body shape for women.

As Stella pointed out, an "hourglass" figure is how you can describe a full-figured woman. Other pleasing descriptions might include curvy, voluptuous or, dare I say, Rubenesque. Pear shape indicates someone with much wider hips than chest/shoulders.

We must be from two different parts of the US then because I have heard pear-shaped used as a compliment many times... Although it was usually by a mother/grandmother to a daughter/granddaughter hinting at wanting a grandchild/great-grandchild.

As a compliment it is probably going out of style. Too be honest though, I'm not sure it was ever used much as a direct compilment, more often as a way to describe a person to others. The same way hourglass is used. I think I let myself get side-tracked on that one.

It might be better to say 'pear shaped' is intended as a complimentary way to describe a women to others. Much like 'barrel chested' might be for a guy. Just like a girl is unlikely to ever say, "I'm attracted to your barrel chested shape", a guy is unlikely to every say "I'm attracted to your pear-shaped/hourglass figure" (at least that I'm aware of).

It might be interesting to see how many people view pear-shaped as a complimentary way to describe a women, what part of the country they are from, and how large the community they grew up in was.

For example, as a rural country kid (town of 7,000, 2nd largest in the county which is bigger than some states in the NE) in the Pacific NW, pear-shaped is definately a compliment.

 

[Ladyazh]

Being so surprised that this thread actually gotten split i am still 100% behind Lunatic's statement.
I am laughing so hard at :
Just like a girl is unlikely to ever say, "I'm attracted to your barrel chested shape", a guy is unlikely to every say "I'm attracted to your pear-shaped/hourglass figure"

Well DONE!!!

 

[SilentAiche]

Okay,

I'm confused. I try to be hip, butt do I tell Jenn i like her pear or not?

))))))))

[blue]_____________________________________________
"As a former farmer, I measure my produce in onces."[/blue]

 

[Ladyazh]

If you not married to her I would avoid it.

 

[rjoubert]

If you ARE married to her I would avoid it.

 

[Lunatic]

If you not married to her I would avoid it.

I dunno... I might suggest wanting to avoid it unless you want to hint at have (more) kids...

 

[SilentAiche]

Thanks. I think I'll compliment her ear lobes

Tim

[blue]_____________________________________________
"As a former farmer, I measure my produce in onces."[/blue]

 

[AnotherHiggins]

I, too, would avoid saying this to my wife. It is basically the same thing as saying, "My, what a big (or at least W-I-D-E) butt you have!"

Not a lot of women (read: none that I know of) are going to respond well to that.

BTW, to answer the question posed by the OP: I'm from Raleigh, NC. Not a 'big city' as compared to NY or Chicago, but certainly not rural.

[tt]_____
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Help us help you. Please read FAQ181-2886 before posting.

 

[Stella740pl]

Although it was usually by a mother/grandmother to a daughter/granddaughter hinting at wanting a grandchild/great-grandchild.
...
I might suggest wanting to avoid it unless you want to hint at have (more) kids...

I would say, in both cases it might be taken as a compliment if the daughter/granddaughter/wife is already expecting. Otherwise, avoid it. She might not tell the mother/grandmother that she is offended, but she would take it as a picking on/criticizing her figure/eating habits.

 

[Stella740pl]

Oh, and I didn't notice at first the OP's question at the end of the post: I DO NOT consider "pear-shaped" to be a compliment, probably not even when I am pregnant, and I don't know other women that would appreciate being called that. At that, I have never, ever lived in a rural place. I am a big city girl: was born and spent many summers in 200,000-400,000 people city, grew up and studied in 1,000,000 people city (both not in USA), and live in USA in an even bigger city.

 

[flapeyre]

In twenty years of married life, I have learned this: a closed mouth gathers no foot.

Feles mala! Cur cista non uteris? Stramentum novum in ea posui!

 

[jebenson]

flapeyre,
Would that be your foot, or your spouse's foot?



I used to rock and roll every night and party every day. Then it was every other day. Now I'm lucky if I can find 30 minutes a week in which to get funky. - Homer Simpson

Arrrr, mateys! Ye needs ta be preparin' yerselves fer Talk Like a Pirate Day! Ye has a choice: talk like a pira

 

[flapeyre]

My foot.

Another one of my sayings (okay, it's not original with me; it comes from Tom Clancy's Red Storm Rising):

I have a big mouth. Has to be for my feet to fit in it.

Feles mala! Cur cista non uteris? Stramentum novum in ea posui!

 

[KenCunningham]

Do remind me. What's the correct answer when your wife asks "Does my bum look big in this?"

I don't mind people who aren't what they seem. I just wish they'd make their mind up.

 

[Welshbird]

Ken, the correct answer is oneof the following:

No, it looks big in everything

(or if you are a scary-cat)

Never! You just don't have a big bum dear. And by the way - did I mention I really like what you have done with your hair?

(or if you are me)

Wot? Eh? Did you change? I fink ewe is fab (following by goofy grin)

Fee

The question should be [red]Is it worth trying to do?[/red] not [blue] Can it be done?[/blue]

 

[AngelB]

Ken - it's a tricky one this, because if you respond 'No' without looking, then she'll say 'You didn't even look!' but woe betide if you actually check her out before answering! This implies that there might be a possibility of her bum looking big and she'll spend the rest of the day/week/month sulking with you.


Geraint

The lights are on but nobody's home, my elevator doesn't go to the top. I'm not playing with a full deck, I've lost my marbles. Barenaked Ladies - Crazy

 

[Welshbird]

Being serious (which I appreciate is a rare event) I think the best response to this is to look, and then ponder, and then quote something you have previously memorised from a Trinny and Suzanna book, thus proving that you have cared enough to take a proper interest.

(Or you could just run... run for the hills....)

Fee

The question should be [red]Is it worth trying to do?[/red] not [blue] Can it be done?[/blue]

 

[RCorrigan]

Slightly off-topic, when my ex-wife (who is 5ft nothing )was pregnant she was very big (baby was big too) and as happens everything grew in proportion !!!!! I kept assuring her that she looked fab, which was great at the time but earned me a slap when she saw photos from that period

<Do I need A Signature or will an X do?>

 

[snuv]

I said 'don't ask unless you really want to know because I won't lie and one day you might be offended by the answer'
the first time my wife asked.

Now I just say 'You know I don't answer that question'

It's saved my hide so far



"If it could have gone wrong earlier and it didn't, it ultimately would have been beneficial for it to have." : Murphy's Ultimate Corollary

 

[dhulbert]

But al least "Pear Shaped" is better the the alternative "Having Child Bearing Hips", now that's a phrase guaranteed to get you a slap if used.

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