Little People At A Big Risk On St. Paddy's Day

CHICAGO (Wireless Flash) -- St. Patrick's Day (Mar. 17) can be a big problem for little people.

TinyEntertainment.com

Little people can be big partiers on St. Patrick's Day, but a spokesman for Little People of America says they have to watch out for big drunks who mistake the midgets for leprechauns.

As partiers chug gallons of green beer on the Irish holiday, little people become more at risk for abuse and attack by people mistaking them for, or calling them, leprechauns.

Gary Arnold, head of public relations for Little People of America, says the excessive drinking often leads to taunts, but little people shouldn't have to hide out in their homes.

Still, he warns pint-sized partiers to be aware of what could happen, and prepared to handle it.

"If you're with a group of friends, you're less likely to be approached by anyone looking to give you trouble, especially if they're big biker friends," he said.

Though many little people dress up in leprechaun costumes and work on St. Paddy's Day, Arnold says they're still not asking to be ridiculed.

"It's their work," he said. "I just wish there were more opportunities in the entertainment world."