| It's a sad comment on human nature that | | | | asking him to come in for an interview. It's clear |
| prejudice and obesity go hand in hand. Ask any | | | | from the tone of the call and various other hints |
| person who has battled with obesity and they'll be | | | | dropped by the caller that the interview is really |
| able to reel off a list of examples. | | | | just a formality, that Mr X is clearly the best |
| It begins at school, where some children have a | | | | qualified candidate. |
| knack of singling out anyone who's different from | | | | But all this changes come the day of the |
| the rest for bullying and taunting. Children who are | | | | interview. The members of the interview panel |
| more overweight than their classmates are easy | | | | refuse to meet Mr X's eye. The questions they |
| targets. | | | | ask are cursory. They shuffle and fidget when he |
| If they also happen to be of a different ethnic | | | | speaks. It's obvious they're simply going through |
| background from the majority of their | | | | the motions. |
| classmates, their lives can become especially | | | | When he leaves they shake his hand and thank |
| unpleasant. | | | | him with enthusiasm bordering on relief. A week |
| Sadly, this attitude does not end when the child | | | | later he receives a form letter in the mail |
| leaves school. Research has shown that prejudice | | | | regretfully informing him that he was unsuccessful |
| and obesity is very much a fact of life in the | | | | in his application. |
| workplace. | | | | Mr X is not surprised. He's gone through this |
| --The Sad Story of Mr X-- | | | | charade a dozen times before. |
| In a society obsessed with unrealistic ideals of | | | | Prejudice and obesity have an even more |
| how we should look, overweight job applicants | | | | unpleasant face when they're paired with ethnic |
| have an especially tough time breaking into the | | | | stereotypes - the grown up version of schoolyard |
| job market. A typical story of prejudice and | | | | taunts. |
| obesity in the workplace goes like this... | | | | We've all heard the jokes about women of |
| Mr X applies in writing for a job. The company | | | | certain ethnic backgrounds ballooning after they've |
| replies positively to his letter by asking for a more | | | | had children. They're mild compared to some of |
| detailed resume. | | | | the other, supposedly funny, stories doing the |
| Then, Mr X receives an enthusiastic phone call | | | | rounds. |