When I first started this blog, I wrote under the pseudonym “Too Tall To Be Tuscan”. You couldn’t find my real name or my face anywhere. Over the past (nearly) 3 years of blogging, I’ve put my name and my face out there, yet every post I write still gets posted by this person called “Too Tall To Be Tuscan”. Have you ever wondered why?
Coming in somewhere just north of 5’9″ (175 cm), or closer to 5’10” depending on the type of hair day I’m having, there’s no mistaking that I’m tall. But I’m not an amazon. Not by anyone’s standards.
Except for maybe Italy’s.
I’ll never forget the looks I would get from my coworkers who saw me standing up for the first time (I was usually sitting in front of a computer). “Sarah, you’re so tall for a girl!” “Sarah, amazza sei alta!” Yes, it’s true that I tower over many Italian women and men, but I couldn’t believe all the comments I got (and continue to get) regarding my height.
I know Italians are in tune with footwear, both women and men, but I feel as if I get a disproportionate amount of looks at my feet in Italy. Sure, people just might be checking out the shoes I’m wearing, but I think they’re also looking to see if I’m really as tall as I am, or if my height has been helped by heels.
But the best height-related anecdote happened in the Questura, when I was being fingerprinted for my Permesso di Soggiorno. (I recounted the whole experience here.) The guy asked me how tall I was, and not being used to telling my height in centimetres, I checked my driver’s license and said “centosettantacinque” (175) with gusto.
“Non può esse! It can’t be!” the police officer who was helping me cried and bounded to his feet, where he came eye to eye with this Canadian girl who is surely Too Tall to be Tuscan.
Not Just Another "Dolce Vita" 
I feel you’re pain. There must be something in the water of the great white north, I’m 5’10 3/4 although I prefer to say 5’11. 🙂
I think that’s pretty amazing!
This is funny! I always feel like a whale (or Nordic warrior, depends on the day) around my Italian girlfriends.
My son is 6 foot 4 inches ( I am 5 foot 2) When he comes to vist me in Italy I need to change his name to Come alto! Everybody comments on his height. He also has dreadlocks past his knees, but that is another story.
I think you are super special! Keep on writing how you feel. My sis is probably going to be as tall as you! ( maybe taller) Don’t feel bad!
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