--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My dad once told me that he would rather…" description: "\"My dad once told me that he would rather I had an old boyfriend than a tall boyfriend. I don't know why, I think he's just feels stressed by... He' not..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/lena-dunham-1013_anxiety_my-dad-once-told-me-that-he-would-rather_246181.jpg" --- # My dad once told me that he would rather I had an old… ![“My dad once told me that he would rather I had an old boyfriend than a tall boyfriend. I don't know why, I think he's just feels stressed by... He' not that short I just think the idea of a really tall guy is super anxiety producing to him. And now I'm with neither old guy nor a very tall guy. So…” quote by Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/lena-dunham-1013_anxiety_my-dad-once-told-me-that-he-would-rather_246181.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/lena-dunham-1013_anxiety_my-dad-once-told-me-that-he-would-rather_246181.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ec/lena-dunham-1013_anxiety_my-dad-once-told-me-that-he-would-rather_246181.jpg) > “My dad once told me that he would rather I had an old boyfriend than a tall boyfriend. I don't know why, I think he's just feels stressed by... He' not that short I just think the idea of a really tall guy is super anxiety producing to him. And now I'm with neither old guy nor a very tall guy. So everything has worked out perfectly.” [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A father prefers a familiar, less intimidating partner over a physically imposing one, reflecting personal anxieties. **In simple terms:** Parents may favor partners they perceive as less threatening. Key Takeaway Consider how personal anxieties shape partner preferences. Themes family dynamics relationship anxiety parental influence Mood thoughtful introspective Type relationship personal development When to use this quote - dating - family discussions - self‑reflection - partner selection Key Concepts psychology social expectations Questions to Reflect On - What underlying fears drive your partner preferences? - How can you communicate these concerns openly? A Different Perspective Preferences may be based on stereotypes rather than actual compatibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Dad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dad/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Old boyfriend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-boyfriend/) [Old guys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-guys/) [Tall guys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tall-guys/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [It's good in tennis that you don't have to be big or a tall guy to be good. Otherwise I had no chance to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-goffin/it-s-good-in-tennis-that-you-don-t-have-to-be-big-or-a-tall-guy-to-be/) [David Goffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-goffin/) > [When I started acting, one of the first things I learned was - especially in Hollywood - was branding. I'm a tall guy. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/when-i-started-acting-one-of-the-first-things-i-learned-was/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [“He's really sweet, actually." "I don't think we're talking about the same Sed. Sedric Lionheart. Tall guy. Broad shoulders. Blue eyes. Short black hair.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-cunning/he-s-really-sweet-actually-i-don-t-think-we-re-talking-about-the-same/) [Olivia Cunning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-cunning/) > [You have more power and you're more likely to hold the ball up when you're a tall guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicklas-bendtner/you-have-more-power-and-you-re-more-likely-to-hold-the-ball-up-when/) [Nicklas Bendtner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicklas-bendtner/) > [My speed as a tall guy is deceptive. You look at me and I might not look fast, but when I go out and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-livingston/my-speed-as-a-tall-guy-is-deceptive-you-look-at-me-and-i-might-not/) [Shaun Livingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-livingston/) > [I don't really go out too much, but a hoodie is usually my go-to. But then everyone is wondering, 'Who is the super tall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-lawrence/i-don-t-really-go-out-too-much-but-a-hoodie-is-usually-my-go-to-but/) [Trevor Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-lawrence/) > [I'd never been a tall guy, and the girls I'd dated had all been my height--teenaged girls grow faster than guys, which is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-doctorow/i-d-never-been-a-tall-guy-and-the-girls-i-d-dated-had-all-been-my/) [Cory Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-doctorow/) > [As a tall guy, you always think the over-the-top pass is the easiest way out. But sometimes you can fake that, and throw it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-gasol/as-a-tall-guy-you-always-think-the-over-the-top-pass-is-the-easiest/) [Marc Gasol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-gasol/) > [I come from Varanasi. Abuses, profanities and threats don't bother me. I am 6-foot-tall guy and I can take care of myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anubhav-sinha/i-come-from-varanasi-abuses-profanities-and-threats-don-t-bother-me-i/) [Anubhav Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anubhav-sinha/) > [In England, I'm just another tall guy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luol-deng/in-england-i-m-just-another-tall-guy/) [Luol Deng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luol-deng/) > [Ever since I was 10 years old doing jiu-jitsu, I've done well against the tall guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-dos-anjos/ever-since-i-was-10-years-old-doing-jiu-jitsu-i-ve-done-well-against/) [Rafael dos Anjos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-dos-anjos/) > [I like men who have goals, something that they are passionate about and work hard to achieve. A good sense of humor is important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-ivanovic/i-like-men-who-have-goals-something-that-they-are-passionate-about/) [Ana Ivanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-ivanovic/) > [In college I took a class from a professor who changed my whole life. I can't really remember what his name was, or what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ervin/in-college-i-took-a-class-from-a-professor-who-changed-my-whole-life/) Bill Ervin > [I love being tall. I see guys who don't handle it so well, like that Dwayne Schintzius of Florida. I don't want to sound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-bradley/i-love-being-tall-i-see-guys-who-don-t-handle-it-so-well-like-that/) [Shawn Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-bradley/) > [Why are tall guys always attracted to short women? Not just moderately short women, either... Tiny women. Polly Pockets. The tallest guys always-always-always go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainbow-rowell/why-are-tall-guys-always-attracted-to-short-women-not-just-moderately/) [Rainbow Rowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainbow-rowell/) ## More by Lena Dunham > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [“Oberlin being a liberal haven where opposition was king, the coolest clique at school was a group of rugby-playing, neon-wearing lesbians. They dominated every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/oberlin-being-a-liberal-haven-where-opposition-was-king-the-coolest/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Calling someone a drama queen is so negative. Why not 'content creator'?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/calling-someone-a-drama-queen-is-so-negative-why-not-content-creator/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [My relationship to eating, my relationship to critiquing my own shape, all of that has changed since I've started viewing my body much more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/my-relationship-to-eating-my-relationship-to-critiquing-my-own-shape/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [“I am sorry (not to you but in a deeper way, sorry for my brain chemistry and who I am.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-am-sorry-not-to-you-but-in-a-deeper-way-sorry-for-my-brain/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [It's very easy for me to say what success is. I think success is connecting with an audience who understands you and having a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-s-very-easy-for-me-to-say-what-success-is-i-think-success-is/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [At my age, no one is married, no one has kids, no one has a career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/at-my-age-no-one-is-married-no-one-has-kids-no-one-has-a-career/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [I should do the things that make me feel cool and smart. As I get older, I'm realizing more and more that it doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-should-do-the-things-that-make-me-feel-cool-and-smart-as-i-get/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [My shape reminds me a lot of my grandmother, whom I was really close to. She died when I was 13, and we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/my-shape-reminds-me-a-lot-of-my-grandmother-whom-i-was-really-close/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [I never set out to make any statements about a specific character, I just set out to tell what feels like is a truthful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-never-set-out-to-make-any-statements-about-a-specific-character-i/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [You’ve learned a new rule and it’s simple: don’t put yourself in situations you’d like to run away from. But when you run, run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/you-ve-learned-a-new-rule-and-it-s-simple-don-t-put-yourself-in/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [I would go to work from 9 to 6, go home, nap for two hours, then write from 8 to 2 a.m.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-would-go-to-work-from-9-to-6-go-home-nap-for-two-hours-then-write/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [My uncle's a lawyer and I remember going to see him in court and thinking, 'That's cool, too bad I could never be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/my-uncle-s-a-lawyer-and-i-remember-going-to-see-him-in-court-and/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [I love directing scenes that I'm not in because suddenly I really feel like a filmmaker which is a different thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-love-directing-scenes-that-i-m-not-in-because-suddenly-i-really/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [I'm glad if my work can make a difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/i-m-glad-if-my-work-can-make-a-difference/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) [Explore all 301 Lena Dunham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) ## More Anxiety quotes > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) Nagisa Tatsumi > [Bein Crazy is the least of my worries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/bein-crazy-is-the-least-of-my-worries/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive. Fear of falling asleep at night. Fear of not falling asleep. Fear of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/fear-of-seeing-a-police-car-pull-into-the-drive-fear-of-falling/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [I get nervous when I don't get nervous. If I'm nervous I know I'm going to have a good show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/i-get-nervous-when-i-don-t-get-nervous-if-i-m-nervous-i-know-i-m/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [“Every invention comes through anxiousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakesh-wadhwani/every-invention-comes-through-anxiousness/) [Rakesh Wadhwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakesh-wadhwani/) > [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Nothing happens on its own, you have to make things happen. If you really want to come out of your stressful situation than you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subodh-gupta/nothing-happens-on-its-own-you-have-to-make-things-happen-if-you/) [Subodh Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subodh-gupta/) > [“I guess if we're talking about my anxiety, the even truthier truth is it started way before that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-winfrey/i-guess-if-we-re-talking-about-my-anxiety-the-even-truthier-truth-is/) [Kerry Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-winfrey/) > [I was a very good student. Procrastinating gives me anxiety, and getting a B really ticked me off. Sure, I didn't always want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-loren/i-was-a-very-good-student-procrastinating-gives-me-anxiety-and/) [Josie Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-loren/) > [“The suspense: the fearful, acute suspense: of standing idly by while the life of one we dearly love, is trembling in the balance; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/the-suspense-the-fearful-acute-suspense-of-standing-idly-by-while-the/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [As you know, I have been very open about my struggle with social anxiety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-walker/as-you-know-i-have-been-very-open-about-my-struggle-with-social/) [Summer Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-walker/) > [Anxiety is not to be managed it is a sin that needs to be repented of](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-driscoll/anxiety-is-not-to-be-managed-it-is-a-sin-that-needs-to-be-repented-of/) [Mark Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-driscoll/) > [“I’ve always seen this in you, ever since you were a little girl — this hunger to love other people into their highest selves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-elisabeth/i-ve-always-seen-this-in-you-ever-since-you-were-a-little-girl-this/) [Jennifer Elisabeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-elisabeth/) [Browse all 4,944 Anxiety quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My dad once told me that he would rather I had an old boyfriend than a tall boyfriend. 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