Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
‘Short King’ Brutally Rejected By Woman Goes Viral As People Debate Height Preferences In Dating
When Atlanta-based musician and filmmaker Ian decided to be upfront about his height on a dating app, he didn’t expect the conversation to end so abruptly.
The 35-year-old, who stands 5’6”, messaged a woman to confirm if she’d noticed his height in his profile.
Moments later, she unmatched him. His story has since gone viral, stirring a wider discussion about how height influences modern dating dynamics.
Highlights
- A 35-year-old filmmaker from Atlanta shared the awkward way a woman rejected him after he revealed he was just 5’6” on a dating app.
- The exchange sparked a debate online about whether confidence or disclosure played a bigger role in the sudden unmatch.
- Supporters rallied behind the self-described “short king,” saying height shouldn’t overshadow personality in dating.
RELATED:
The short king’s candid approach sparked an unexpected rejection
Image credits: Instagram / ian3snacks
Ian, who describes himself as autistic, told theNew York Post that he typically tries to clear potential “dealbreakers” early in the conversation.
When he noticed the woman, who he described as a “goddess,” was taller than him, he complimented her and added, “Did you see that I am only 5-foot-6?”
She reportedly admitted that she hadn’t noticed his height, but she also asked if he was comfortable with her being taller or wearing heels.
Image credits: Unsplash / Simon Boxus
“I’m totally comfortable,” Ian replied, though he gave her a graceful exit.
“If you want to politely, like, see yourself out now, no harm, no foul. I get it.”
Instead of answering, she simply unmatched him.
Image credits: TikTok / ian3snacks
Ian toldNewsweek he wasn’t fazed. “Men’s height gets talked about enough online that I try to get it out of the way immediately if I suspect it might be an issue.
“In the same way, I’ve had curvier women ask me if I was OK with how they look, which I always am,” he said.
Ian stated that he has learned to be upfront about his height on dating apps
@ian3snacks Dating in your 30s is hilarious. It’s humiliating. But also hilarious. Don’t come at me with that short man syndrome bs 😘 #dating#shortking#tallgirl#millennial#funnystory♬ original sound – ian3snacks
Ian noted that he has learned to get dealbreakers out of the way early in dating, so he has become very upfront about his height indating apps.
“I am not one to woo you with smooth pickup lines or play games. I don’t have the jawline for that kind of approach.
“Transparency, wit and kindness tend to be where I shine a little easier, so I try to play to my strengths,” he told the publication.
Image credits: Instagram / ian3snacks
That being said, Ian admitted that dating is a challenging endeavor.
“I think most people would agree that dating often feels like a self-inflicted humiliation ritual,” he said.
As for the woman who unmatched him, Ian stated that there are no hard feelings.
Image credits: TikTok / ian3snacks
“It’s totally possible that, during that brief interaction, she saw something else in my profile that she didn’t feel compatible with and unmatched,” he said.
TikTok users reacted with divided opinions on Ian’s experience
After Ian shared the experience in a TikTok video, netizens had strong and often conflicting takes.
Some suggested the rejection wasn’t about height at all.
“Listen! You gave her the ick with the ‘If you want to see yourself out now,’ I’m telling you! That’s what it was,” one user claimed. “It showed you were saying you weren’t worthy.”
Tom Holland being engaged to Zendaya despite being shorter is crazy to me pic.twitter.com/KTeFbknu8X
— JV🕷️ (@vinhlegacy) January 6, 2025
“No offense, it wasn’t your height but probably your overtly nice guy, complimentary energy. Lots of women are conditioned to think they should want a man whose attention they have to work for,” another TikTok user wrote.
Others were baffled that the exchange ended so suddenly. “Wait, why did she unmatch? Your message back was so lovely and confident,” one commenter stated, adding that they thought Ian’s honesty actually came across as secure.
Image credits: Instagram / ian3snacks
Another chimed in that the “short king” label suited him because his calm and confident tone still shone through.
Men’s height still sparks debate in dating
View this post on Instagram
Ian’s experience isn’t unique. Society’s fixation onheight in dating, particularly in men, is well-documented. This often results in shorter men being seen as less desirable despite real-world examples that challenge the stereotype.
Last year alone, theNY Post published an article discussing the emerging “6-6-6” rule for women in dating, which requires men to be at least6 feet tall, have 6-pack-abs, and a 6-figure income.
A survey fromBumble also found that 60% of women have indicated that they were specifically looking for a man who is over 6 feet tall in their search filters, according toEVIE magazine.
Image credits: Instagram / ian3snacks
Bumble’s study also showed that only 30% of women were open to dating men who are 5’11, and only 15% were willing to date men who are 5’8 or shorter.
The dating app’s study caught a lot of attention online, especially since more female respondents were willing to date men who are 7 feet tall than men who are 5’11.
Netizens shared their thoughts on Ian’s experience as a “short king” on dating apps on social media
Poll Question
Total votes ·
Thanks! Check out the results:
Total votes ·
Newsletter
Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls
By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!
What do you think ?
Gerry Higgins 5 months ago
I'd date him. I don't mind he's short, if he doesn't mind I'm a guy.
Ellinor she/they/elle 5 months ago
I'm 5'3 and I prefer people taller than me, but if I meet someone nice I'm not going to ghost them just because of their height. Physical preferences regarding dating should be the cherry on the cake, not deal-breakers.
JayWantsACat 5 months ago
"Physical preferences regarding dating should be the cherry on the cake, not deal-breakers." Exactly this. I've been attracted to someone who I normally wouldn't physically, but their personality and intelligence just completely drew me in. And it was great because I wasn't unattracted to them physically (they didn't gross me out or anything) but how genuinely good of a person they were and how witty and funny they were got me passed that. Honestly, I could not be with someone who I was very physically attracted to but brought little else to the table. The reverse? That could absolutely work.
Load More Replies...
Rali Meyer 5 months ago
loads of lies about height can be found online. 80% of the celebs are shorter than advertised. Try Vin Diesel. Why? Because in weight training shorter people gain more bulk, fast. Means taller people with big muscles are even more impressive. Is "The Rock" even 6.6"? I am 6.4". But my dating profile stops at 6.0". It becomes unbearable over 6.0" - lol
Ben Aziza 5 months ago
I am sure there is hope for that guy IF HIS ONLY problem is height... Usually it is not that. Usually it is the insecurity and self-hate/doubt that comes with it. Those can turn all the superficial and non-superficial amazing aspects of a person moot...
Ben Aziza 5 months ago (edited)
Also, I am speaking from experience here as I am basically a deformed dwarf ... Yet the situation was reversed where I was pursued, on two separate occasions, with two different ppl. The first time I misread it and I thought she was being overconfident and arrogant. Basically wanted me to convert back into a sectarian cult. THE SECOND time made things more clear. Both those women used the cult as their shield. To create a fake world with rigid rules that made it so they NEVER HAD to face any of their insecurities and overcome them. It is sad for everyone involved, but insecurities have to be dealt with in a healthier way than that... Else you end up married to a tom cruise type XD Yeh they are smart and beautiful etc... But coming packaged with the equivalent(Worse actually) than the alien Scientology b******t... Yeh it made all the positive aspects moot...
Load More Replies...
David Morgan 5 months ago
You can have any preference you like, and you can be as strict about a potential partner matching them as you like. However, it's rude to disparage people for things they can't control - so, cool if you tell people that they are far too messy. That's a behaviour that they could change if they wanted to. Telling people that they suck because they have blue eyes, or big b***s, or are less than 6' tall is bad, because it's something inherent. Only radical and invasive surgery can change your height.
Ace 5 months ago
I don't see the problem, why shouldn't women be able to choose taller men if that's what they want ? (I'm 185cm, BTW... Er, six foot one ish in old money)
Mike F 5 months ago (edited)
But, when guys start using those type of prerequisites it is viewed as shallow, and rightly so. It's the same as saying that they only date someone who is under 110#. That's shallow.
Load More Replies...
Caitlin Davenport 5 months ago (edited)
I've heard a couple tall women say they wouldn't date men shorter than them because the men get weirdly aggressive, like they need to prove their dominance over a taller woman.
CD King 5 months ago (edited)
I would think most women care less about height and more about personality. I’m 5’7” and so is my husband. Would I have been with a shorter man… sure… as long as he made me happy. This sh*t is how we get caught up in ‘we all have to be perfect and have crazy beauty standards’ Boys we love you just as you are. Oh, there is one thing…. He shouldn’t have gotten that tat… movie tats are stupid.
Joey Marlin 5 months ago
I rather like being the same height as my husband. I'm a bit taller than average, he's a bit shorter than average. He's funny, caring, just come home and currently in a bad mood as he's had a sh'itty day 🤣 Thankfully it never lasts long!
Load More Replies... Gerry Higgins 5 months ago
I'd date him. I don't mind he's short, if he doesn't mind I'm a guy.
Ellinor she/they/elle 5 months ago
I'm 5'3 and I prefer people taller than me, but if I meet someone nice I'm not going to ghost them just because of their height. Physical preferences regarding dating should be the cherry on the cake, not deal-breakers.
JayWantsACat 5 months ago
"Physical preferences regarding dating should be the cherry on the cake, not deal-breakers." Exactly this. I've been attracted to someone who I normally wouldn't physically, but their personality and intelligence just completely drew me in. And it was great because I wasn't unattracted to them physically (they didn't gross me out or anything) but how genuinely good of a person they were and how witty and funny they were got me passed that. Honestly, I could not be with someone who I was very physically attracted to but brought little else to the table. The reverse? That could absolutely work.
Load More Replies... Rali Meyer 5 months ago
loads of lies about height can be found online. 80% of the celebs are shorter than advertised. Try Vin Diesel. Why? Because in weight training shorter people gain more bulk, fast. Means taller people with big muscles are even more impressive. Is "The Rock" even 6.6"? I am 6.4". But my dating profile stops at 6.0". It becomes unbearable over 6.0" - lol
Ben Aziza 5 months ago
I am sure there is hope for that guy IF HIS ONLY problem is height... Usually it is not that. Usually it is the insecurity and self-hate/doubt that comes with it. Those can turn all the superficial and non-superficial amazing aspects of a person moot...
Ben Aziza 5 months ago (edited)
Also, I am speaking from experience here as I am basically a deformed dwarf ... Yet the situation was reversed where I was pursued, on two separate occasions, with two different ppl. The first time I misread it and I thought she was being overconfident and arrogant. Basically wanted me to convert back into a sectarian cult. THE SECOND time made things more clear. Both those women used the cult as their shield. To create a fake world with rigid rules that made it so they NEVER HAD to face any of their insecurities and overcome them. It is sad for everyone involved, but insecurities have to be dealt with in a healthier way than that... Else you end up married to a tom cruise type XD Yeh they are smart and beautiful etc... But coming packaged with the equivalent(Worse actually) than the alien Scientology b******t... Yeh it made all the positive aspects moot...
Load More Replies... David Morgan 5 months ago
You can have any preference you like, and you can be as strict about a potential partner matching them as you like. However, it's rude to disparage people for things they can't control - so, cool if you tell people that they are far too messy. That's a behaviour that they could change if they wanted to. Telling people that they suck because they have blue eyes, or big b***s, or are less than 6' tall is bad, because it's something inherent. Only radical and invasive surgery can change your height.
Ace 5 months ago
I don't see the problem, why shouldn't women be able to choose taller men if that's what they want ? (I'm 185cm, BTW... Er, six foot one ish in old money)
Mike F 5 months ago (edited)
But, when guys start using those type of prerequisites it is viewed as shallow, and rightly so. It's the same as saying that they only date someone who is under 110#. That's shallow.
Load More Replies... Caitlin Davenport 5 months ago (edited)
I've heard a couple tall women say they wouldn't date men shorter than them because the men get weirdly aggressive, like they need to prove their dominance over a taller woman.
CD King 5 months ago (edited)
I would think most women care less about height and more about personality. I’m 5’7” and so is my husband. Would I have been with a shorter man… sure… as long as he made me happy. This sh*t is how we get caught up in ‘we all have to be perfect and have crazy beauty standards’ Boys we love you just as you are. Oh, there is one thing…. He shouldn’t have gotten that tat… movie tats are stupid.
Joey Marlin 5 months ago
I rather like being the same height as my husband. I'm a bit taller than average, he's a bit shorter than average. He's funny, caring, just come home and currently in a bad mood as he's had a sh'itty day 🤣 Thankfully it never lasts long!
Load More Replies... You May Like "What A Jerk": Woman Leaves Date In Less Than 2 Minutes After Catching On To His Plan 108 Women Share The Exact Second Their Attraction Ended Because Of A Weird Ick They Got “I Let It Slide At First”: 47 Men Get Brutally Honest About Their Biggest Dating Turn-Offs
Analice Couto
Dominyka Proškėnaitė
Mantas Kačerauskas
Related on Bored Panda
27
35