Today I was in one of those discount stores that try to cram as much stuff as they can in the little space they have. The aisles are even narrower than in other stores (about 30 cm/12 in wide), but while I am no size 0, I still fit, but I need to pay attention not to throw things down with my jacket or my purse.



Well, today I got a sense of perspective. I was already down the main aisle when a large woman came my way from the back of the store. She was about 3 times my width and she did not fit through the aisles of the store at all, knocking down products and getting poisonous looks from the shop assistants. I turned to get out of the lady’s way as she was trying to leave the store, but behind me there was another large lady who had entered the store after me.



I genuinely did not know what to do. The lady who came in after me went back a few steps and let me and the other lady out. I thanked her, feeling terrible.



The store and whoever planned it are crap. They sell clothing basics for a vast range of sizes and body types, but the aisles are too narrow for someone larger than a EU size 44 to fit through! And it’s not like every centimeter of space is judiciously used - merchandise items are thrown onto plastic shelves left and right. I am pretty sure they could do this more cleverly, but apparently if you want to buy quality clothes at discount prices, you have to pay with your dignity.



This is Germany. Many people are fat or just big. And most stores are super crammed. Why does no one figure out that people’s bodies are not all super small and thin? Instead of policing fat people and being obnoxious, stores could have bigger aisles and allow people to have a pleasant shopping experience.



Thin privilege is being able to get to the items that interest you in stores.



Thin privilege is not having to feel like you’re too large just because store planners can’t do their job well.