Ever since 1.0, I've always felt that any RP'er that isn't able to take Lalafell seriously simply has trouble getting immersed into the world. Lalafell are everywhere in Eorzea, both doing everyday grunt work and holding important positions of power. There is really no reason to treat them ICly like a child, because you never ever see that happen in the lore. It's just the player's OOC thought and feelings on what they see bleeding into their character.
The only way this could work in character is if your non-Lalafell character had somehow never encountered Lalafell before, but even so, it would be very insulting to treat an adult Lalafell this way IC. There isn't anything wrong with the Lalafell, they aren't deformed or have any kind of Gary Coleman condition. That is how Lalafell look and it's an accepted part of the in-game world.
Now short jokes are a different matter. I think those would really happen in Eorzea, just as jokes about Roegadyn and Elezen sizes and shapes happen as well.
The only way this could work in character is if your non-Lalafell character had somehow never encountered Lalafell before, but even so, it would be very insulting to treat an adult Lalafell this way IC. There isn't anything wrong with the Lalafell, they aren't deformed or have any kind of Gary Coleman condition. That is how Lalafell look and it's an accepted part of the in-game world.
Now short jokes are a different matter. I think those would really happen in Eorzea, just as jokes about Roegadyn and Elezen sizes and shapes happen as well.
======================================================================