Is Being Tall Lonely? | How Tall People Can ACTUALLY Find Other Tall People ft. No, I Don’t Play Basketball

Sometimes being tall can feel lonely. It's actually funny because sometimes I think about the phrase it's lonely at the top, I know that that phrase has a lot to do with being rich or whatever, and you know, being successful and richer and more successful we are less people are going to all that stuff. I'm pretty sure you understand what I'm talking about, but today I mean it literally. The truth is the taller you are, the less likely it is to find people around your height, causing many tall folks to feel out of place, like they don't belong. And this kind of led to the rise of tall clubs and tall meetups, basically where tall folks can come together and connect. The Tall Tour was a perfect example of this, and another example is No I Don't Play Basketball, a brand whose mission includes connecting tall people with each other through in person events, and today I am joined by one of their co founders, Janitha, to talk about one of their upcoming events, the whole Charlotte Tall Tour. Drama in the importance of community for tall people. So without further ado, let's get into it. Good morning, everybody. You are currently listening to a Tall Girls podcast hosted by a tall girl named India. I hope everyone who's standing in today is doing super fantastic. I am joined by a very special guest today, the co founder of No I Don't Play Basketball. We're going to get into that a little bit in a sec. But her name is Janifa. Hi, Janitha, Hi, how are you doing today? I'm great? How are you? I'm very happy to be here, Thanks for having me. Unfortunately, my co founder, Miss Ashley, could not be but I speak for us, so no problem. She's here with us in spirit and her links are also going to be in the description as well, so you guys. Could check her out. But yeah, just take a second to introduce yourself to the audience. Yeah, well, hi audience. I'm Janita. I'm the co founder No I Don't Play Basketball. I am six foot two. I work with my partner, Miss Ashley, she's six'. One we met a few months ago and she's the one who told me about the idea for NO I Don't Play basketball AND i loved it and the rest is. History so catch us at The Tall. Tours we have merch tables where we sell our NO I Don't Play basketball crew net. Coodies, yeah and we're based In. Atlanta that is. So nice to. Hear, HONESTLY i love when the tall girlies unite in form some type of thing. GOING i honestly think that that's super. Awesome we, should the tall girly should unite in many different, ways and this is just one of those. Ways So i'm super glad to hear. That, NOW i would like to hear a little bit about your experiences growing up as a tall, girly the, good the, bad the. Ugly what was that like for? You, yeah so growing up for me was not that. EASY i grew up in a predominantly white, area so it was a two for one when it came to standing out and feeling. DIFFERENT i will say THAT i, got you, know. Teased there was one specific group of guys in high school who would be, Like, yoshack, like why'd you drop the ball last. Night in the, Game like just like stupid stuff like. That and you, know that stuff really sticks with, you obviously As i'm here talking about it on a podcast over a decade. Later but it was just unfortunate that there was no one to kind of represent us in the. Media my middle to high school experience was like two thousand and seven to twenty, fourteen and during that, time like we didn't Have megan The. Stallion you, know there wasn't a tall thing black girl being celebrated in the media for me to feel, like you, KNOW i should be celebrated for the way THAT i. Looked so the girls these days are very grateful to have our first, Lady Mss. Meghan but it was not always easy being a tall. Girl, yeah, HONESTLY i feel, you and you, know the people with the comments like, oh why'd you drop the? Ball chat absolutely. Atrocious but we all know middle, schoolers younger kids are definitely the meanest of them. All so there's that now that. Comment was that the worst thing that you've ever heard growing? Up or was there something worse involving your height that you, received like whether a question or a comment that you hated. Hearing so this is something THAT i have been struggling with and honestly to this day WHERE i will go up to like the grocery checkout or just be somewhere and people will call me, sir and When i'm like, No they're just, like, OH i didn't even. LOOK i just saw a tall, Figure. And i'm, like only men can be, tall it would be, like and it's not a one off, thing like it's happened so many times where people call me sir And i'm, Like. I'm very much not a, sir. BUT i and then one, time actually the worst, thing and you know this had a lot of components to. It twenty ten's makeup wasn't the. BEST i was in My Anastasia Beverly hills. Phase, ANYWAYS i was on the train one night AND i had two girls come up to me at my stop and they were, like, hey we've been going back and forth for the whole train, ride like we just can't figure it. Out, well you just tell. Us are you a? Man AND i was like, no and THEN i cried the whole second train, home AND i my family has always poured into, me like they've always kind of marveled over like my skin and my height and like my, gap and it's always made me feel beautiful and. Confident and So i'm, LIKE i know it's not my facial. FEATURES i don't know what it. Is but people are really ignorant and they tend to masculinize tall women or women that aren't like small and dainty and petite and it's just not a good, look, like you, know pick your head. Up i'm a. Woman so, yeah that's probably the worst thing with those two girls on the. TRAIN i am so sorry to hear that that occurred to. You some people not only are they, ignorant they also like some thoughts are just better remaining inside. Thoughts you do not need to because you don't know how it's going to affect the other. Person you don't know if they're going to be offended by. It so the fact that some people blatantly just have the courage to just go up and do something as ridiculous as that is just. Insane AND i honestly don't know what goes through their minds when they do stuff like. That but, anyways that's in the past and we're thriving now, period especially with NO i don't play, basketball well you, guys not me. Necessarily so this brand is basically hosting events for tall. PEOPLE i would like to know what inspired both you And ashley to start. This, yeah so we are hosting an. Event we're hosting events to, come But, Saturday february, seven at three h Nine social here In, atlanta you're hosting a tall person meetup so come. Through we have tickets on event, Right i'll send you the, link but definitely come. Through it's going to be a really good. Time it was inspired just by shared, experiences the amount of times that we're, asked, yo do you? Hoop you play? Ball you? Ball you play? Basketball every single day EVERYWHERE i. Go i'm just happy now THAT i have a hoodie that says, NO i don't play, basketball to just kind of save us that. Interaction But that's just been my whole, life and Now i'm able to monetize it and make a brand out of it and make content around it and kind of lead the way and show the other tall girls that are growing up, that, hey you're part of an exclusive. Club you know that you can wear cool merch and go to events like and you just have ticket in just because of What god gave. You so it's really. Cool. Exactly, honestly we definitely need more spaces for not just tall, people especially tall, women with our very unique experiences and struggles that we. Have was there a moment when you realize that tall women needed spaces like? THIS i wouldn't say there was one singular, moment but just kind of a collection of experiences throughout my life because you, know you kind of expect a man to be taller, usually Like i'm six to. Two if a man six, too people consider that. Average you, know a room full of tall men people aren't really going to marvel or anything like. That but a room full of tall, women they're, like wait a, minute it's someone cooked. Here BUT i think that it's important that we have our separate. SPACE i, mean, NO i don't play Basketball Tall. Tour all of those spaces are for men and, women as they should, be but for women, SPECIFICALLY i think that there's a very unique shared experience when it comes to close, dating growing, up going through, puberty all that kind of. Stuff so there should definitely be a separate space for. Women, yeah it's LITERALLY i agree with everything that you. Said Now i'm assuming because this is kind of like the mission of, NO i don't play, basketball to honestly create a community for tall. People, now what role do you think community plays for tall people when it comes to confidence and self? Perception, oh it's. Everything it's absolutely. Everything LIKE i, said seeing people in the media that look like, you that look exactly like, you that weigh the same and wear the same, size and they're being. Celebrated it's such a beautiful feeling to feel, like, OH i look like her if she's popping up. Popping you, know not to say that you should compare her self to people in the, media but it's really hard when you're trying to figure out who you, are and especially media is all were consumed by TikTok And instagram and all of that these, Days SO i think that representation really. Matters so just having that is absolutely, everything. Exactly and that's WHY i KNOW i don't play. Basketball it came to life right in order to you, know make tall people tall, women help them feel seen and feel as though they're not alone in their journey of being. Tall you, know now you did bring up the tall. Tours we got to talk about that for a. SEC i am sure that you heard the controversy of The Charlotte Tall tour and how many shorter people attended that, event and that led to a debate all over social media on whether shorter people should be allowed to attend tall specific events because people were, saying, oh It's Tall. Tour though it says all heights are all sizes are, welcome this is still primarily for tall. People what are your thoughts on? This SO i have many different. Thoughts the first THING i would say IS i think the reasoning behind why a shorter person might go is very. Important like maybe there needs to be a bouncer at the door who's like state your, business because if you're going there just to troll tall, people or if you're a short woman looking for a tall, MAN i think that that's a very poor. Taste But i've seen a video of a Tall tour where there was a man who was like six.' eight he was married to a woman who was, five two and she's the one Who Found tall tour and brought him there like as. A surprise so, it's like you're gonna tell the lady she can't accompany her husband to something, like this like for him. To ENJOY so i feel like in, that instance or Even when ASHLEY and i Go To, tall tour sometimes her will come with us and she's like five three, five four but she films all of. Our content she helps us with like our, merchant stuff so she's she's got to be allowed like we. Need HER so i think that the reason behind. Going matters and then also there's people who grew up. Feeling tall they might be, five seven. Five eight the amount Of times i'm scrolling on TikTok and i see tall, Girl friendly i'm five seven and these touch my ankles. Like girl of. Course they Do was but to them they think, they're tall maybe because everyone they grew up around is four eleven and five foot and five. To one so. Perspective matters if you feel like, you're tall you shouldn't be, told no. You're not you should be able to be whatever you want. To be so if someone is, five six five seven and they feel tall and they want to be in, THAT space i think they should be allowed. TO be i just think if, you're trolling or if you're looking for, a man do it. Somewhere else so those are. My, feelings honestly that does make a lot. Of sense So what i'm hearing is basically like shorter people should and could be allowed to attend if it's more so of like a, supporting role as, you said like with the woman who's like five two with a six eight husband taking him there or accompanying, him there or as, you said with the Shorter cousin ashley's shorter cousin and she's accompanying you guys to. Get content if it's there in terms of like support or even like the five seven five eight girl is just going there to feel not tall in their, everyday lives then that makes more sense than simply, going there OH because i want to, feel tiny and, it's, like girl you feel tiny every day like you're five, feet tall or going there to try to get a taller man because literally every other man in your life is taller. Than you that's Basically what, I'm hearing, AND honestly i think that makes a lot of SENSE because i, feel like especially on, social media we hear more of the negative side, about it, about, how oh sure people shouldn't. Be allowed they're only there trying to get tell people and this and that and, the other whereas there's kind of this other side that really isn't spoken about. A lot so this is this is a very interesting perspective that. You, Brought, NOW no i don't, play basketball, you know with you guys and your event that's Coming, Up saturday, February seventh do. You guys have. Height requirements we do not have. Height requirements we are accepting all. Size supporters we are accepting all support. Right now, you know we're building from the, ground up so we're not. Excluding anyone the whole point OF no i don't want to play basketball and all of these tall things are to include everyone and make them. FEEL included, i mean at least the tall people and the people who love tall people and support tall people and want to be in their business whatever. It is but come, All sizes. You're welcome that is super. SUPER cool i also kind of want to ask before we get into our, next question is there a potential that could give us a little bit of a sneak peek about what's going to happen at your Event on. February, SEVENTH yes i actually will say that we are looking to start doing tall speed. Dating events people are always in all the tall groups talking about where the, single's at or someone will post a picture and there's all these comments and hard eyes, and Stuff and, i'm like we need to start putting two and two and. Two together so we are going to have sign ups to start getting some speed. Dating going so if you are looking for, a match a, tall match come out and get. With us we're gonna have some sign up sheets where you can just give us some of. Your information ashley's playing around with maybe like a Pop the balloon kind. Of segment i'm pushing. More for, speed dating but we're gonna combine it and have some sort of tall dating series Here. In atlanta so if you're tall, And, single. Wait why does that sound kind? Of fun that Actually what i'm sorry say. THAT again i said, fly OUT but i. HONESTLY should i need. TO start i know there's literally like so many tall events happening across, the Country and i'm, just like you, KNOW what i need to set, that, IN like i need to put that in. THE budget i need to start flying out to these things. For me but thank you so so much for sharing that little sneak peek and sharing your thoughts On The tall tour and just sharing a lot of like different Things, ABOUT no i don't, play basketball and so for in. Your mission now for our, LAST question i do want, to ask what is one piece of advice that you want to give to the tall girlies who are listening, right now who are struggling with their self esteem because of. THEIR height i would Say that god didn't make, you small so don't let anyone else. Mic drop that's. My, Advice Also. Fashionova tall they know what. They're doing get. Those pts. Definitely just have to put that out there because it's so funny because literally now on, my feed every other well my, TikTok feed every other video, is like WHERE can i get? Pants from WHERE can i get? Geans from WHERE can i get? This from now we, have, Something Y'all. Fashionova tall there's so many tall options out there now, For us, and honestly super super grateful for that BECAUSE when i, WAS younger i was Shopping in oh, MY gosh i was shopping in the women's SECTION OF. J. C penny they would make so much fun of ME because i dress like, a, grandpa grandpa grandma. And that but that's all that would. Fit Me so i'm so glad we have so many. Options now thank you so much for bringing. That up and just as, she, said y'all do not let anyone make you, feel small do not let anyone, shrink you because you are made to be seen and. Heard period thank you so, So much janitha for coming on the podcast and sharing your experiences and sharing a little Bit about You're an. Ashley's, BRAND no i don't, play basketball feel free like this is the time now to just like, plug yourselves like where can we? Find you where can We? Find ashley where can We, FIND no i don't, Play basketball like let. Us, know, yes Okay so ASHLEY and i we Have a. Facebook group it's, JUST no i don't. Play basketball we have like two, membership questions it's like how tall? Are you and like where are? You from and usually we just approved even if you don't. Answer them but so we have some like fun conversations and we share memes and Stuff, There, INSTAGRAM no i don't, play basketball underscore that. Is us we post all of, our events, some content more stuff. To come we'll post more information about our dating segment and like. Merch drops we have a shopify that's also linked In our instagram with the CREW nex i have. One, here actually before, You, ask. Noah. It's blurry there, We go oh where? To go? All right well, just oh there. We go. It's okay i'm gonna We'll get I'm gonna i'm Gonna, Put yeah i'm gonna put. AN overlay i got you don't worry, about perfects. Thank you but. That's that we also have some t shirts and we're working on getting some. Tote, bags, hats, pins stickers and some other merch for. Our events so come out and. Support us oh, my gosh that's. SO cool i. NEED one i. Want one i'm gonna. Get one i'm making that my twenty twenty Six gool thank, you again so, So. Much janitha all of that is gonna be linked in, the description so, you guys especially the people Located in atlanta listening to this, right now so that you guys can participate in the events and get. The merchant. So Forth and i'm gonna plug myself At A tall girls podcast literally everywhere you search me Up, On, Google, bang yahoo whatever, IT is i will be coming up, AND yeah I think i'm gonna end the. Episode here this was. Pretty fun how are, You, Feeling janitha i'm. Feeling great this was. So fun this is my first ever like kind of. Podcast. SITUATION now i came across your PODCAST and i, WAS like i want. To come that looks fun and the. Next One hopefully ashley can join us. Next, time yes hopefully. She can and please make sure you post on socials how the Event on. Saturday goes i'm sure we all want to see and know. About, it yes. We'll have a, photographer there so we will definitely be, posting everything all the Content. On instagram. Yay awesome thank, You, again janitha and thank You again ashley because she's here with us. In spirit and thank you dear listeners for tuning into. This episode don't forget to check. Them out everything is going to be linked in the description and, until then we will catch you guys in the. Next One good night. And goodbye