Brett Ellis discusses the reality of Napoleon sydrome

I refer to sexism and racism, to name but two.

The only exceptions to that rule are being derogatory towards myself and fellow baldies and those with a carrot-topped head covering.

There is another one that I've overlooked, and that is being a short man, which even has its own name - Napoleon syndrome.

Napoleon syndrome, aka ‘short man complex’, refers to individuals, mainly men, who, to overcompensate for their lack of stature, act in an excessively hostile, belligerent, or aggressive manner.

Personally, I believe there is something in it and there always has been.

I remember my grandfather describing the bravery of the Gurkhas whose first descriptor was their collective lack of physical presence.

Tom Cruise, whose public persona doesn’t necessarily marry with his private life, is described as 5ft 7” and ¾. The ¾’s, of course, is a desperate attempt to add just a little bit more height as you wouldn’t hear Peter Crouch, who is a good foot taller than the Cruise, describe himself as 6ft 7” and ¾ would you?

Brett Ellis believes there is a 'short man complex' I have been out socially many times with vertically challenged friends who, to a man, after a few drinks, are primed and ready for physical battle should a stranger as much as refer to their height.

Their bravery, recklessness and untamed anger may be due in part to a lifetime of being the butt of the joke, and their understandable unwillingness to take it any more from strangers: so, they hit first and ask questions later.

Although not classified as a personality disorder or clinical mental illness, they can develop acute mental health issues over their height obsession, although may themselves be nowhere near as diddy as Napoleon himself, who weighed in at 5ft 2” (I’m not sure about the ¾).

According to my ‘pound shop’ research (Google), maybe the problem is with me and, instead of gently ribbing the little men of this world, I, and we, should be more understanding and offer empathy and understanding.

How that would work in reality is difficult to understand, and the internet offers little in the way of answers beyond improving the Napoleons self-esteem by giving praise, although one conversation is not going to change an individual’s behaviour, so it will do little other than stem the aggression for a short while.

One thing my research has given me, however, is a little bit more understanding, which, from a man measuring in at 5ft 10” (and ¾), is no bad thing.

That said, it's all just a ‘little’ bit of banter, isn’t it, as you continue to josh mercilessly before ordering them a ‘short’ from the bar.

• Brett Ellis is a teacher.