Can a short man find love?

Dear Annie, I am a very short guy, around 5'3", and find it hard to date. The last woman I dated was 5'4" and wore heels. Should I worry about the height factor? Dan

Dan, Everyone has a dating disadvantage that can be partially offset by an upbeat attitude. Yours is your height. Most women report that they care about it, and are conscious of height differences.

Attitude is the key to success

However, if a woman likes you, she may fall for you anyway. Put your energy into connecting with her. Share stories and activities. Joke about your stature in relation to your strengths.

Let her know that you are comfortable with her size. If you confidently smile, wink and say "I love being with a taller woman," it could turn into a private joke. If she's wearing high heels, tell her that you enjoy the way she looks in them. Once she knows that you've OK with it, she's more likely to adopt an attitude that your height no big deal.

My mom was three inches taller than my dad. When I was a teenager, it embarrassed me. But, in my 20's I fell in love with a wonderful guy who was about 5'2"—I'm 5'8"—who wooed me with humor, kindness, friendship and affection.

Once you are confident that your heart matters more than your height, you'll find women who are willing to love you for who you are.

A message to women

A message to women: Before you complain that men pay too much attention to a woman's appearance and weight, ask yourself if you may be missing out on a wonderful man just because he's shorter than your ideal guy. The average man is around 5'9", yet most women want to date a guy who is around 6 feet tall.

If you're seeking a loving, compatible partner, I suggest that you become open to the possibility of finding chemistry with a shorter man.