Starting-game questionsFollow

Hi,
I've just got the FFXI game, but before I begin I need to make a few decisions, perhaps someone can help me with these.
I'll definitely be playing as a black mage, though.

1) Race:
I REALLY want to be a hume, but everyone says I should be a taru, which I can understand because they cast faster, they have more MP and deal more magic damage. If I start as a hume BLM will everyone laugh at me? ;) Or are there ANY benefits of being a hume BLM?
I just can't stand the cute-ness and smallness of those tarutaru's :P
Also, how much more damage does a taru BLM do than a hume BLM? Is it just noticeable? Or is it like.. VASTLY more damage?

2) Subjob:
I know I'll have Black Mage as my primary job, but for subjob I have a choice between Red Mage and White Mage, I know they'll both raise my MP, but which will raise it the most? And which will raise HP the most?
Also, I've heard that if you have Black Mage as your primary job and Red mage as your subjob, you get extra damage on black magic spells? Is this true?
(Any extra information on this kind of thing would be greatly appreciated)

3) Character size:
Small, medium, or large? o.O
Does a large character look out of place, or is it just height that changes, not everything?
(This is one of the lesser of my problems ;))


I'll thank anyone who answers my questions in advance, these are (mostly) things I really need to know! :D

Thank you =)
But if RDM increased INT, wouldn't that automatically increase black magic damage?

RDM wont increase dmg right away, but they get passive increase magic damage ability just like BLM and they get fast cast. When the level cap gets raised to 80 if you wanna take BLM/RDM all the way you can get a nice hp/mp switch ability too.

Oh yeah, no one will laugh at your hume BLM, thats what I play because I'm also anti-cute and I get group consistantly.

Good Luck!

How about summoner?
That'll give a considerably larger INT boost and so a considerably larger damage boost, right?
(Pity about the weak/useless summons though)