From the Boston Beanstalks to the California Tip Toppers, exclusive clubs for tall people have sprouted up all over in recent years. Maybe you need tips on where to get those extra-long tailored slacks or simply want to look your date in the eye without stooping. At the Tall Club of New York City, you can find all that and maybe even a job — as long as you meet the height requirements.
According to the Wall Street Journal, New York’s Tall Club has become a happening way to network. Members of the nonprofit, who go by “Local talls,” meet the first Friday of every month at Pranna, a restaurant on Madison Avenue with high ceilings. Women over 5’10” and men over 6 ‘2″ socialize, commiserate and talk about work life. Such networking can yield huge opportunities for Tall Club members.
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Though tall people also suffered as the recession set in, research shows they had the advantage before the economy tanked. According to CBS, a 2009 study showed that on average, taller people made more money. Each inch translated to about $789 more per year, meaning a 5’5″ person would make an estimated $5,523 less per year than someone who is 6 feet tall. Over 30 years, that’s more than $150,000.
Tall Club President Barry Hanold, who is 6’3″, believes the research on supposed height “bonuses” omits an important aspect. Taking care of those extra inches adds up. “All talls quickly learn that all things cost more, so earning more money is a must,” Hanold tells the Wall Street Journal. “Car size cannot be too small. Airlines always charge more for the extra room. Clothing must be custom-made or sewn.”
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