There's a movie from 1995 called "Heavy." Victor, the main character, played by actor Pruitt Taylor Vince, is big. Like in most films about big people, he's portrayed as being a sad character. In one scene he's in a hospital cafeteria, and there's an annoying man there who basically can do whatever he wants. He explains to Victor that people don't want to see him because he doesn't fit into their minds of what they want to see, and that Victor as well can do whatever he likes because they are both invisible.
I am invisible. Many is the time I've been in a line or at some sort of a sales counter, and when my turn comes up, the salesperson literally walks away. When I finally get their attention, they sheepishly admit that "they didn't see me." I once went nuts on a salesman for saying that.
"How can you not see me? I'm as big as a house!"
The manager stepped in and apologized.
I've been growing my beard out for 4 months for a Santa stage roll. The show is over and overnight I removed four inches of hair from my face and dyed whatever was left a light brown (as opposed to it's natural white). Nobody noticed.
How could nobody notice?! People I see every day make no mention or notice of things like that because, as a big man, I'm invisible.
My wife says they're afraid to say anything.
Here's how it must be then:
"Did you seen Alan today?"
"Yes. He looks so good without that huge white beard."
"Of, for God's sake DON'T TELL HIM THAT. The LAST thing we want is for him to think that we actually NOTICE him."
Being invisible can have its advantages, sure. But for the most part, I'd rather be seen (for the right reasons, of course). It's sad that I don't fit into the concept people have of what I should look like. I think it's time people got over that and accepted the Big as people, too.
