What terms would you prefer to describe people of less weight?

Usually slender, thin, small framed, or skinny. Depends on how well I know the person and the context for which term I use.

wow, i've never heard someone ask this or care about this! it is great that you asked. to me, skinny is an insult for sure. thin or petite i would prefer. i wouldn't say average or normal, cuz who is to say what is normal, and take a look at statistics, i doubt thin is the average size that women are.

i'd also like to point out that some people are thinner then they would like to be for health reasons. i personally like curves, and miss mine.

I like slender, that sounds nice! I don't mind thin, or small also. Skinny can be good or bad I think - just depends on the context and how you say it. I actually think that's true about most of the words listed - it depends on how you say them.

Slender, small frame, petite are the terms I prefer. Nothing grates me more to be called thin or stick-figured. I have curves.

Thin is probably the most descriptive. I like "petite", but that conveys a small stature as well. Further, I don't think I've ever seen someone I consider "thin" on a package, as "thin" tends to mean more than just a narrow waist. Nevertheless, I think "skinny" does seem to bring an air of nastiness about it.

I don't like "normal size" because it implies that there's something abnormal about not being that size. I think "thin" is the most flattering of the list. "Twig" sounds too much like name calling.

There's almost always going to be someone who finds any term you pick offensive. I think it all depends on the tone you use and the context.

I think "thin" is the best out of your list, "skinny" especially seems to have bad connotations. I'd agree with the people who suggested "slender." Most models on packaging are curvier than what I'd call slender though...to me, slender implies a lack of curves?

Thin might be the best one because skinny can be taken offensive to some.

I usually refer to women like that as "skinny bitches." LOL

sometimes I call them skinny bitches

Try using slim, slender, or trim.

I used to be pretty skinny, and I don't mind my friends say I'm skinny, in fact I kind of missed those skinny days!

I normally just use the term "skinny"

Thin or, rather, slender. I find "skinny" really insensitive and have been insulted by it because of the stigma it has taken on (and the way the person says it). "Skinny" is not a healthy adjective because it is related to something people are trying to become through dieting and eating disorders. A lot of people who are naturally very thin don't want to be so thin and it lowers their self-esteem. Although some take it as a compliment, it can hurt others, and it's best to be considerate of everyone's feelings.

petite or thin! i'm plus size as well and out of the options you've listed i use thin the most to describe smaller frame women.

i choose thin but can i just tell u my moms bf calls my twig so i read that and laughed! and i agree with eden c! i am small! i eat adn cant gain weight! and i hate when ppl say your skinny bc i know i am but just it is frustating to u that u cant get into a size u want i get that way when my pants fit then 2 weeks later they are to big! i hate it! and hate when ppl point it out!

I never thought of petite as meaning shorter as I am 5'9 and like to shop in the petite section >.> that's what I generally use when someone is smaller than plus or average.

I think I would go with thin or slender for this context, though.

I like Carrie Ann's suggestion of slender!

I think it's a pretty touchy subject. I go between a size 4 and 6, which is not plus size, but it's also not "supermodel size" or weight or whatever either. Skinny for me has connotations of people who are not only thin, but perhaps have lesser muscle definition and general body fat.

I think thin is probably the most generic term, at least for me. But I guess some people disagree.

I'd personally stay away from using terms like "normal size" in any regard, just because it begs the question of what is normal. I'm pretty sure the average American woman wears a size 12. And you don't really want to isolate anyone, you know.

I guess for you the thing to do would just try and phrase things in as positive a way as you can. I review clothing on another site a lot and there's never much controversy over saying "This dress is designed to be flattering on curvier body types and will not be as flattering on those with straighter figures." It's not a statement about what body type is better, it's a statement about how the damn clothing is built.

Conversely, if you were to write something like "This item is definitely shaped for well endowed, curvy ladies. Sorry skinny bitches, this one's not for you" THEN there might be a problem lol.

Framing the conversation in terms of body type/overall shape (hourglass, pear, apple, etc) and size (clothing sizes, not body sizes) might help keep the focus on the clothing rather than the individual.

Probably thin or small. I'm a plus sized woman myself, so I'm kind of in the same boat.

I think slender sounds the most objective.

I think it depends on the person. Some look at 'Skinny' as a compliment. where as i know people you take that offensive and prefer, 'thin' and 'small'.

thin for me. It's less pejorative I think

I'd say small. The worst word for me being a size 3 is skinny or tiny or thin, because I have a small frame but it doesn't mean I'm only skin and bone.