I do this all the time, explain away a person’s appearance and actions.
In other words, is kneejerk empathy as patronizing as kneejerk judgement?
It’s not just overweight people. I do this all the time, explain away a person’s appearance and actions. I try really hard to give people the benefit of the doubt when they snap at their kids in public, cut me off in traffic, refuse to give up their seat to an old person on the train. Maybe they’re having a terrible day. Maybe they’re hurrying home to take care of their sick mom. Maybe they’re just distracted. I’m no better than them, I tell myself, I’ve done all these things and worse.
Michael Hobbes
