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People Share What Insults Can Be Disguised As Compliments And Here’re 40 Of The Most Savage Ones
Complimenting a person is one of the fastest ways into their heart. However, delivery matters because as you're about to see, the line between making someone smile and getting punched in the face can be just a couple of words.
Recently, Redditor u/shamilat made a post on the platform, asking other users: "What's a compliment and an insult at the same time?" And people immediately started sending in their suggestions.
Whether the phrases were coming from personal experiences or imagination, these one-liners have to be some of the most ambiguous things you can say!
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#1
Back in the 1980s, New Zealand's prime minister said that anyone who chose to emigrate from New Zealand to Australia could be proud that they were raising the average IQ of both countries.
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#2
“You’re really smart for someone with your job” (I’m a professional dogwalker)
Dude, just because I choose to do this work doesn’t mean I couldn’t do something else. I just love this and followed my passion.
#4
Awww it's such a waste you're a lesbian.
#6
I always get "Wow, we used to think you were a real b***h but you're actually really nice!" from friends at some point. It makes me so sad that I'm a naturally shy person around a new group of people. It makes me so self-conscious when I meet new people because I know that line and it's variants will eventually be said again.
Sofia Gonzalez 4 years ago
I'm a very shy, quiet person at school but I guess I've always had RBF and so one of my now friends always though that I was a angry and wanted to hurt someone because of how my face looked 😂
#7
It’s a good thing you’re so pretty.
#11
I love when I wear makeup and people say “Did you get a good nights sleep? You don’t look tired today!”
Doesn’t matter how much or how little sleep I get, I always have very dark circles under my eyes. It’s genetic.
So no, I’m not tired… That’s literally just my face.
#12
I got a "you're looking pretty good for a guy in their 40's". Well, thats nice i guess, but I was 35 at the time.
#13
Such a pretty face, if you would just lose some weight dear...
#15
"You're very beautiful for your age." or "I can tell you were beautiful when you were younger."
#16
"I can see that you're trying."
(When someone shows you something they worked hard on, and it's the only positive thing you can think of to say.)
Brafne Heiwer 4 years ago
One time in grade school my friend gave me a trophy that proudly read "You Tried".
#18
"Are you twins??? " Said the cashier to me and my brother... who's 12 years older than me...
Edit: of course my brother took it as a compliment... that little-
#21
Friend of mine in high school got a “compliment” from a teacher, “you’re so pretty for a black girl”
#22
You're pretty bright for someone that has (insert any disability here)
#23
Wow you don't seem autistic at all!
#24
I wish I had the confidence to wear that.
Susie Elle 4 years ago (edited)
I guess this depends on what it's referring to. If someone were to wear, say, a shirt with a very bright color or something that makes you stand out in a crowd, I guess "I wish I had the confidence to wear that" would refer to confidently wear something that draws attention to you while others would be too shy to wear it. Okay thanks for attending my TedTalk
#25
“You’re the son I never had.”
Thanks, dad.
#26
Your child is so good-looking (or smart). Who did they get that from?
#27
“You look so young” isn’t the compliment people think it is. I feel like nobody takes me seriously at first meeting and it’s just pointing out to me that my body never developed much during puberty and digs into my insecurities of looking like a child. Makes me feel like a child and I’ve gotten these comments my whole life. But if I complain I get “relax you’ll appreciate it when you’re older”
#28
I used to be told frequently that I looked like a teenager when I was in my 20s and early 30s. I know they didn't mean it rude, but I most certainly didn't want to look 17 while pushing my kid around in a stroller at 30. I remember catching someone looking at me when I was pregnant and I could see the judgement in their eyes so I not so subtly put my left hand on my stomach so the person could see my engagement ring and wedding band.
#29
After sex: "That was better than I expected"
I actually got that one in college.
#31
"You look soooo cute in cheap clothes. i could never pull that off omg"
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
I know that I'm blessed, people like you could wear a Versace dress and still look like a scarecrow while I go dumpster diving and look like a million dollars.
#32
While walking next to me "Wow I didn't realize how short you are!" I always reply with it's because my personality is 10 feet tall!
phil blanque 4 years ago
Wow...while talking to you I did not realize how little YOU are....little...
#33
"Wow, you smell a lot nicer than usual!"
Dolly & Meduza 4 years ago (edited)
There is people who smells bad even hours after bathing. It not their fault some smells, even after using deodorant.
#34
A nurse to my ex gf— “I really wish I could be as skinny as her!”
I was in the hospital from SMA Syndrome, a thing that happens when you lose so much weight that your intestines close shut.
Good news! If you too are depressed with life and have little desire to eat anything ever, you too can be 70 pounds and get these fabulous curves!
#36
As someone with curly hair, when I straighten it
"Wow your hair looks so much better straight"
#37
Asian American here.
"Whoa, you don't have an accent at all!"
#38
Anything that ends with "for you."
That's great hat, for you. But its the perfect size, for you.
#39
Or when being black… “you’re so well spoken”
#40
My auntie once said to me: You know, you used to be a bit funny looking as you were growing up but you have turned in to a really handsome chap.
I really didn't know what to make of that, if I should be happy or offended.
#41
That blouse looks fantastic on you despite your size
#42
"You are hot but not as hot as everyone says you are" which was said to me at a party.
#43
“Exceeds expectations”
GirlFriday 4 years ago
I got this in a job review once and my boss told me that he was pleasantly surprised by work. he said that I "exceeded everyone's expectations of you." So, I am being rewarded because you underestimated me? Thanks, I guess, but I will take the raise.
#44
“I didn’t think you were pretty without a mask”
#45
Did you lose weight?
Rick Hoppenbrouwer 4 years ago
Had customers telling me I was looking trimmer. Passed it off until I got curious one morning and stepped on the scale and found out I lost 12 pounds.
#46
You must be working really hard, you look more tired than usual.
Alicia Ennis 4 years ago
As Susan Sarandon says in Stepmom; "It's just a polite way of saying 'you look like s**t.'"
#47
I had someone tell me when I was a kid "wow you have such good handwriting for someone whose left handed" what?
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Left handed people generally have worse handwriting because when they are learning to write the methods used are designed for right handed people. But left handed people have to hold their pens in a different way and the position of their arm and wrist is different.
#48
After I gave birth to my first son I had just lost the baby weight. My grandfather said, ‘Well, I guess you’re not gonna be fat now like your mama and your sister.’ My mom and sister were sitting right there. Win for me…insult for them.
Veronica Sjöberg 4 years ago
Not really win imo. Who wants to be around people who are mean and cares about others appearance as their main focus? Besides, I absolutely hate people who comment on post partum bodies like this... her whole world changed and she could have died but what you like to focus on seems to be those extra kilos. Makes no sense.
#49
“No one else is like you.”
Depending on tone, it can be taken as either
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
It should only be taken as a compliment. Don't stop being your unique you, just because people can't cope with you. You are not the problem, they are.
#50
When grandma tells you that you look well and you know she means that you look fat.
#51
You look good with makeup on.
#52
I underestimated you.
#53
"You clean up well."
Kimi Tomminello 4 years ago
Ah I love this one. It's the whole reason I won't "clean up" anymore. After my nervous breakdown and retirement I feel no need to make anyone happy with my appearance (save for some close friends and family special occassions). Life as way too short to spend that much time on other people's opinions.
#54
When people tell me in person, that I’m very photogenic.
I’m kind of a catfish, I know my angles. I know I look different in person. So saying, ‘you’re so photogenic’ when you’re not like commenting on a photo, and saying it to my face, means ‘oh wow you look so different in your pictures’ LOL
It doesn’t upset me or anything l, but I feel like it’s back-handed haha.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
In my part of the Netherlands people only call you photogenic when Dutch directness would be insulting.
#56
You look so pretty today. As opposed to every other day where I look like cat sick
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
On some days people do look prettier for whatever reason. Doesn't mean they look ugly for the rest of the time. But I guess some people can find offense in everything you say to them.
#57
My dad, after not seeing me for several months, saw me and said “I forgot that you’re good looking”. I can’t pinpoint exactly why it made me feel bad and good at the same time but it did.
#61
You're so special...
#62
Apparently asking for an ID when people are buying alcohol.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
It is ridiculous to ask for an ID when the person looks, acts, moves and sounds like 72.
#63
”I can see what you were going for here”
#64
"You're progressing right on track"
I've had people take this well and as a sign that they are doing things correctly. However I have also had people get upset because they thought they were ahead of the curve and special.
LazyPanda 4 years ago
I've worked jobs before where this felt backhanded. When I can clearly see my standard of work excelling past my peers to the point where I'm correcting their work, or I'm using skills you didn't ask for on your job posting, but you want to pay me as an average worker, it is a problem
#66
You look like your mother/father.
Raven DeathShade 4 years ago
Nah, my mom is gorgeous. And my dad...I don't like him, but that doesn't mean he doesn't look good. I look nearly identical to my grandma, though. I just have my mom's cheekbones and eyes.
What do you think ?
Pezor Zass 4 years ago
"Well, looks don't matter as much for guys" Soooo, i'm ugly but it doesn't matter? Thanks.
Linda Lee 4 years ago
I gave birth to my son when I was 21. Fast forward 25 years, work dinner with spouses. A retired Ob nurse (spouse of coworker) asked if I had children. I said my son was 25. She looked me up and down and said that she had worked with the younger teenagers when they gave birth and I had nothing to be ashamed of. WHAT!?
Madeleine Flowers 4 years ago
That's really rude to call out. I'm sorry you had to go through that.
Load More Replies...
Brian bell 4 years ago
Some of these are misguided attempts at being nice or trying not to be awkward; it requires a fairly high level of social awareness to discern the difference. Also, some people have a hard time in either telling or getting that something is meant as a jest. However, sometimes people are just plain rude!
Auntriarch 4 years ago
And the intonation will be important, most of these could go either way
Load More Replies... Pezor Zass 4 years ago
"Well, looks don't matter as much for guys" Soooo, i'm ugly but it doesn't matter? Thanks.
Linda Lee 4 years ago
I gave birth to my son when I was 21. Fast forward 25 years, work dinner with spouses. A retired Ob nurse (spouse of coworker) asked if I had children. I said my son was 25. She looked me up and down and said that she had worked with the younger teenagers when they gave birth and I had nothing to be ashamed of. WHAT!?
Madeleine Flowers 4 years ago
That's really rude to call out. I'm sorry you had to go through that.
Load More Replies... Brian bell 4 years ago
Some of these are misguided attempts at being nice or trying not to be awkward; it requires a fairly high level of social awareness to discern the difference. Also, some people have a hard time in either telling or getting that something is meant as a jest. However, sometimes people are just plain rude!
Auntriarch 4 years ago
And the intonation will be important, most of these could go either way
Load More Replies...
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