No Fat Chicks: Chapter 18 Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Tom Segura has lunch with fellow comedian Phil, a very overweight man who declares he only dates women who are “hot,” make good money, and are not annoying — specifically, “no fat chicks.” Tom is incredulous given Phil’s own size. Phil shows photos of a beautiful ex-girlfriend whom he dumped because she “got annoying,” then reveals a new stunning woman he is seeing. Tom reflects on the apparent success of entitled, asshole men like Phil. He then admits his own superficial reasons for rejecting women (a misshapen forehead, narrow feet). Interviewing women — his sisters, wife, and editor — Tom learns they also reject men for trivial dealbreakers (a silly tattoo, trimmed eyebrows, mispronounced words, bad shoes). He concludes both genders are equally shallow and suggests that the “asshole” approach may be what women need.
Key Events
- Phil declares “no fat chicks” during lunch.
- Tom points out Phil is fat; Phil dismisses the criticism.
- Phil shows Tom photos of a beautiful ex-girlfriend he dumped because she “got annoying.”
- Phil reveals he is already talking to another stunning woman.
- Tom reflects on the “girls like assholes” philosophy and Phil’s success.
- Tom admits his own shallow rejections (a woman’s forehead, another’s narrow feet).
- Tom interviews women (sisters, wife, editor) about their dealbreakers.
- The women list trivial reasons: a stupid tattoo, trimmed eyebrows, wrong jean cuff, mispronounced “façade,” terrible shoes.
- Tom concludes both men and women are equally superficial, and maybe assholes are what women need.
Character Development
Tom Segura moves from judging Phil’s hypocrisy to examining his own romantic standards, then expands his view to recognize that women apply similarly petty criteria. This self-reflection shows growth in his awareness of human nature. Phil remains an unchanged archetype of the entitled “asshole” whose confident behavior appears to work.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Hypocrisy in dating standards — Phil’s “no fat chicks” rule despite his own size is the chapter’s central ironic moment. The “asshole” archetype — Tom questions the “girls like assholes” belief, only to later entertain its possible validity. Gender equality in superficiality — Tom’s research reveals that men and women both reject partners for absurdly trivial reasons. Self-deception — Tom admits he has been as shallow as Phil, highlighting how easy it is to ignore one’s own flaws.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter challenges the common assumption that only men are superficial in dating. By turning the mirror on himself and then on women, Tom Segura delivers a comedic but brutally honest examination of double standards. It reinforces the book’s larger theme of self-awareness and personal growth through uncomfortable truths, while also providing a sharp critique of entitlement and vanity.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Tom initially react with disbelief to Phil’s “no fat chicks” rule?
Answer: Because Phil is very overweight himself, making the demand seem hypocritical. Tom cannot understand how someone who has done nothing to improve his own appearance can require a partner who is devoted to hers.
2. What does Tom learn from interviewing women about their dealbreakers?
Answer: Women often reject men for equally trivial reasons — a silly tattoo, trimmed eyebrows, a bad jean cuff, a mispronounced word, or ugly shoes. This leads Tom to conclude that both genders are equally shallow.
3. How does Tom’s perspective on the “girls like assholes” idea evolve throughout the chapter?
Answer: He starts as a skeptic, believing that being nice should work. But after seeing Phil’s success and hearing women’s own petty standards, he ends up entertaining the possibility that entitled, confident behavior may be effective.