European culture, African culture.. being fat is not considered as much of a character failing and doesn't affect someone's life quite as much. (In the US I've seen men rapidly change their behavior if a fat woman is addressing them even if they're in the service industry, they may shut down the conversation or treat her differently. Even if the woman is speaking to a man in a friendly fashion, he may take it as her hitting on him and shut down.) Also, the standards of what is fat are extremely exaggerated. In CZ, I have not seen a man judge or change his behavior toward a woman who is addressing him because she is fat. People seem to judge or change their treatment of others based on weight and appearance less.