Most of the time I just ignore it because I'm so used to it. But there are times (not to many) when I stare back or ask someone near me "Is that guy staring at me?" Sometimes I just wave at them.

My daughter is 4.5 and has been having issues with people calling her a midget! Makes me so angry!! What is a good thing for me to have her say to these idiots? Also, I am in a debate with my sister in law who says technically she is a little person. She is short stature but with unknown causes. No hormone deficiency and she is proportional. Does this make her "little person" because of her height?

To replier no. 2:
Well, as a woman who shares your daughter's high, I don't consider myself as a little person, but "only" as a short statured (I have turner mosaic, by the way).
"Little people" are characterized by hands and leg which are not proportionate to their body. I don't have that problem, and as I understand, neither does your daughter.
And yes, people can be very cruel. In my case, they are just rude (the staring). How old is your daughter?

My daughter is 14. She has scoliosis that they think has contributed to her short stature as well as the fact that she was a preemie. Do you have any advice for her on how to handle the mean and cruel comments?

The comments do get on one's nerves. Tell her that those who make the comments are ignorant and immature and that she is a better person than they are. They are not capable of knowing that the beauty of a person is way more than the outer appearance. Help her to build up her inner strength. Having "real" friends also helps.

Height prejudice is just as global as any other prejudice. I tried to show, not just preach, to my daughter that many people need to feel superior and will use just about anything to do so. The lazy ones pick physical features or make fun of your name. People who do this usually have poor or incomplete self-constructs. So it really is about them and not the one being stared at or insulted. I pity them rather than my daughter. How sad they must be on the inside? As far as a response, I guess if depends on the situation. There may be times to just move on, times to have a snappy comeback and times to be more constructive. If someone is staring or says something stupid (not rude, just ignorant) then maybe asking if they are curious about your height can be an opportunity to educate someone in a gentle way. This is particularly true for kids and young adults. I suggested to my daughter that if she wanted, she could be an ambassador for people with visible and not so visible differences. The more polite and helpful she was to others, the less likely those individuals would be to make faulty negative assumptions about her and others like her. Embracing and celebrating our differences is what makes us more human and more humane.

As far as the defining hight to be a Little Person, I'd suggest looking at the Little People of America web site. I think it's 4' 10" and under. They have lots of info and support there too. There are summer camps, conventions and even college scholarship money for members. The next national conference is the end of June in DC and there's a cruise this March.

I know how you feel. I am actually an inch shorter than you and I've got used to people staring, though I felt really uncomfortable when I was younger. These days ( I'm 31) I generally give them a smile back and I've even been known to wave. When I was younger I was a bit more rebellious . There were times when I walked across and asked if they wanted a photo. They were either timid and apologised or walked off or some said I was rude, so I said "not half as rude as you". If it was a decent looking guy I would walk over and say that I had noticed him looking at me and did he want a date? That was fun. These days I think be friendly and smile!