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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!
This post may include affiliate links.
#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.
RELATED:
#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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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.
Anna Banana 3 years ago
This is reaching. You can like somebody's style while at the same time preferring to wear different things for yourself.
deadinside 3 years ago
no. it just means they wouldn't wear it. it's not their style but they love it for you.
Daniel Marsh 3 years ago
"No soup for you!" Sorry, Soup Nazi just isn't funny these days, is he?
Blackfeather Tanfur 3 years ago
In gifting cultures, complimenting e.g. an item of apparel then requires that it be gifted to the one who praises it. Adding "for you" can be a way to not obligate it to be given to the compliment giver.
#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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 years ago
"Well, looks don't matter as much for guys" Soooo, i'm ugly but it doesn't matter? Thanks.
Linda Lee 3 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 3 years ago
That's really rude to call out. I'm sorry you had to go through that.
Load More Replies...
Brian bell 3 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 3 years ago
And the intonation will be important, most of these could go either way
Load More Replies... Littlebunnyfufu 3 years ago
I feel like a lot of this depends on tone and body language. When my kiddos were little they were 18 months apart. At one point they were about the same height with different builds and coloring; one looked like me and the other looked like their dad. We've joked around about needed a maternity test with the one who looked like him. I'd get the question of "Ooh do they have the same dad?" an amazingly often amount. I got so I could tell if the person was judging and basically using that as a way to disparagingly call me easy or if they were in the same boat and trying to connect as a fellow human. It felt really different based on the tone/body language.
Lacey Heward 3 years ago
"You're so inspiring!" Well, I sure am. But the comment asserts that because I have a disability and get out of bed in the morning I deserve special recognition. Like living is not expected.
Just Browsing 3 years ago
I wouldn't have thought of such a comment as hurtful - thank you so much for sharing!!!
Load More Replies...
Nikole Landelius 3 years ago
You have such a pretty face to a high school girl (me) who was not skinny like the other girls. This took such a toll on my confidence, I felt worthless.
Izzy Curer 3 years ago (edited)
"I don't care if you are a satan-worshipper, I still like you." This was said to me by my little sister one day when she was a kid, when I was back in town for a visit after spending a few years out of state. Not sure, but apparently someone decided that moving away meant you were going off to worship satan or something. Never found out who said that to her. But yeah, it was basically a cult, so I guess that makes sense
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
This one goes back about 25 years, someone about me, to Hubby, as I was standing next to Hubby: "Wow, you (have sex wiht) that?" and that was when I first contemplated the use of sunglasses as a lethal weapon.
Madeleine Flowers 3 years ago
In case any of you were wondering, I reported the scammer. That's all I wanted to say.
aroace man, but german 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 3 years ago
those people be talking some real s**t for somebody in counter-insult distance.
MonicaChicagoGal 3 years ago
I bought a car an Audi and my boss said "I hope your Husband works".
Lingon 3 years ago
That was a joke, and a good one, as it needs a LOT of maintenance not to die on you.
Load More Replies...
a worm 3 years ago
the "insults" that had anything to do with race, gender or disabilities are just plain rude
Emmett O'Brian 3 years ago
Some of my relatives can tell you off and make it sound like they're complimenting you. It's about ten minutes later that you sit there going "hey, I think I just got taken down by her." Not a skill I share unfortunately.
Irma 3 years ago
Like someone complimenting my mom that she has pretty kids. 'You think so? Thanks'
Load More Replies...
Faith Hurst-Bilinski 3 years ago
In 7th grade a math teacher told me I was really smart for a girl. I wish I could say the same to you, dude.
Summer Mason 3 years ago
Imma warn everyone visiting the southern states of the USA. It is very well known.... if we women say bless your heart. We mean your a God damn dumb ass and we dispise your actions. Or it means.....wait for it....bless your heart into eternity because that was devastating news. There is NO IN BETWEEN.
Jackie Warner 3 years ago
I'm vegan. After I've baked and shared a vegan pudding: "yum. That was good. Didn't taste vegan at all." Yeah, I suppose chops don't taste vegan either.
Stoopham McFernybabes 3 years ago
At work, my (apparently very dangerous colleague who I initially thought of was a buddy and confidante) says “Oh, you won’t BELIEVE what someone said about you the other day. I won’t repeat it but don’t worry, though, we put them on their place”. Cue paranoid social anxiety at work for the next 10 years - thanks!
Tee Witt 3 years ago
Many of these just are not offensive, i wonder if people are just too fragile these days.
ZooMom 3 years ago
"You have such a beautiful face"..."you mean I'm fat?!" "You are so well spoken!"..."because I'm black you thought I wouldn't be?" "That's a great look for you!"..."because its ugly and so am I?!"
Load More Replies...
Livingwithcfs 1 year ago
My dad use to say. People say yiu aren't as smart as a donkey, I said you are. Yeah dad that's not a complement, you nasty old man, I spent most of my life feeling dumb because of comments like this
LSR 3 years ago (edited)
What a f*****g surprise, another "men are pigs" publication. How about all the crap women can also say to men? Go f**k yourself, roikas or whatevere your fucko name is.
Tea Mobi 2 years ago
I don't think that's what's happening here. I've been insulted more by women, as a woman then by men, and in more than half of these both parties could be anyone.
Load More Replies... 
Unnamed Hooman 3 years ago
During French class one day, I completed the games in 1st place several times. My friend said “Wow, I didn’t think you were good at French” I was offended :)
Just Browsing 3 years ago
These are so shocking that my brain is trying to convince me that they are fake.
Betsy Novack 3 years ago
After being mistaken for mu 80 something year old dad while sitting with him in the hospital, I asked the nurse who wanted me to sign paper "Do I look like a trophy wife? Does he look like somebody id marry for his money?" Telling my brother this later,he said "yeah. What happened to you?You used to be cute" You can pick your nose, but not your family
The Cute Cat 3 years ago
Nah.. Just take it as compliment and go on.. No need to mind all of people comment
Palo Sulek 3 years ago
Let's not forget Bishop's quote to Ellen Ripley ... "Not bad for a human" ... although he meant to be very friendly at that moment. Sometimes you must be smart enough to get a witty compliment 🙂
Ruth McLarty 3 years ago
My favourite, which as someone whose hair is somewhere between slightly wavy and lovely loose curls depending on the external humidity, what did you do to your hair today, it looks great
ZooMom 3 years ago
How is that insulting? They said your hair looked good....
Load More Replies...
Peter Trudell Jr 3 years ago
holy carp, it's like BP doesn't show people's eyes anymore. This entire listicle, people were mostly cut off at the nose, had their face obscured, or were facing the other way...
BorPand8 3 years ago
That's a pretty courageous thing to say, coming from somebody like you
Load More Replies... Pezor Zass 3 years ago
"Well, looks don't matter as much for guys" Soooo, i'm ugly but it doesn't matter? Thanks.
Linda Lee 3 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 3 years ago
That's really rude to call out. I'm sorry you had to go through that.
Load More Replies... Brian bell 3 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 3 years ago
And the intonation will be important, most of these could go either way
Load More Replies... Littlebunnyfufu 3 years ago
I feel like a lot of this depends on tone and body language. When my kiddos were little they were 18 months apart. At one point they were about the same height with different builds and coloring; one looked like me and the other looked like their dad. We've joked around about needed a maternity test with the one who looked like him. I'd get the question of "Ooh do they have the same dad?" an amazingly often amount. I got so I could tell if the person was judging and basically using that as a way to disparagingly call me easy or if they were in the same boat and trying to connect as a fellow human. It felt really different based on the tone/body language.
Lacey Heward 3 years ago
"You're so inspiring!" Well, I sure am. But the comment asserts that because I have a disability and get out of bed in the morning I deserve special recognition. Like living is not expected.
Just Browsing 3 years ago
I wouldn't have thought of such a comment as hurtful - thank you so much for sharing!!!
Load More Replies... Nikole Landelius 3 years ago
You have such a pretty face to a high school girl (me) who was not skinny like the other girls. This took such a toll on my confidence, I felt worthless.
Izzy Curer 3 years ago (edited)
"I don't care if you are a satan-worshipper, I still like you." This was said to me by my little sister one day when she was a kid, when I was back in town for a visit after spending a few years out of state. Not sure, but apparently someone decided that moving away meant you were going off to worship satan or something. Never found out who said that to her. But yeah, it was basically a cult, so I guess that makes sense
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
This one goes back about 25 years, someone about me, to Hubby, as I was standing next to Hubby: "Wow, you (have sex wiht) that?" and that was when I first contemplated the use of sunglasses as a lethal weapon.
Madeleine Flowers 3 years ago
In case any of you were wondering, I reported the scammer. That's all I wanted to say.
aroace man, but german 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 3 years ago
those people be talking some real s**t for somebody in counter-insult distance.
MonicaChicagoGal 3 years ago
I bought a car an Audi and my boss said "I hope your Husband works".
Lingon 3 years ago
That was a joke, and a good one, as it needs a LOT of maintenance not to die on you.
Load More Replies... a worm 3 years ago
the "insults" that had anything to do with race, gender or disabilities are just plain rude
Emmett O'Brian 3 years ago
Some of my relatives can tell you off and make it sound like they're complimenting you. It's about ten minutes later that you sit there going "hey, I think I just got taken down by her." Not a skill I share unfortunately.
Irma 3 years ago
Like someone complimenting my mom that she has pretty kids. 'You think so? Thanks'
Load More Replies... Faith Hurst-Bilinski 3 years ago
In 7th grade a math teacher told me I was really smart for a girl. I wish I could say the same to you, dude.
Summer Mason 3 years ago
Imma warn everyone visiting the southern states of the USA. It is very well known.... if we women say bless your heart. We mean your a God damn dumb ass and we dispise your actions. Or it means.....wait for it....bless your heart into eternity because that was devastating news. There is NO IN BETWEEN.
Jackie Warner 3 years ago
I'm vegan. After I've baked and shared a vegan pudding: "yum. That was good. Didn't taste vegan at all." Yeah, I suppose chops don't taste vegan either.
Stoopham McFernybabes 3 years ago
At work, my (apparently very dangerous colleague who I initially thought of was a buddy and confidante) says “Oh, you won’t BELIEVE what someone said about you the other day. I won’t repeat it but don’t worry, though, we put them on their place”. Cue paranoid social anxiety at work for the next 10 years - thanks!
Tee Witt 3 years ago
Many of these just are not offensive, i wonder if people are just too fragile these days.
ZooMom 3 years ago
"You have such a beautiful face"..."you mean I'm fat?!" "You are so well spoken!"..."because I'm black you thought I wouldn't be?" "That's a great look for you!"..."because its ugly and so am I?!"
Load More Replies... Livingwithcfs 1 year ago
My dad use to say. People say yiu aren't as smart as a donkey, I said you are. Yeah dad that's not a complement, you nasty old man, I spent most of my life feeling dumb because of comments like this
LSR 3 years ago (edited)
What a f*****g surprise, another "men are pigs" publication. How about all the crap women can also say to men? Go f**k yourself, roikas or whatevere your fucko name is.
Tea Mobi 2 years ago
I don't think that's what's happening here. I've been insulted more by women, as a woman then by men, and in more than half of these both parties could be anyone.
Load More Replies... Unnamed Hooman 3 years ago
During French class one day, I completed the games in 1st place several times. My friend said “Wow, I didn’t think you were good at French” I was offended :)
Just Browsing 3 years ago
These are so shocking that my brain is trying to convince me that they are fake.
Betsy Novack 3 years ago
After being mistaken for mu 80 something year old dad while sitting with him in the hospital, I asked the nurse who wanted me to sign paper "Do I look like a trophy wife? Does he look like somebody id marry for his money?" Telling my brother this later,he said "yeah. What happened to you?You used to be cute" You can pick your nose, but not your family
The Cute Cat 3 years ago
Nah.. Just take it as compliment and go on.. No need to mind all of people comment
Palo Sulek 3 years ago
Let's not forget Bishop's quote to Ellen Ripley ... "Not bad for a human" ... although he meant to be very friendly at that moment. Sometimes you must be smart enough to get a witty compliment 🙂
Ruth McLarty 3 years ago
My favourite, which as someone whose hair is somewhere between slightly wavy and lovely loose curls depending on the external humidity, what did you do to your hair today, it looks great
ZooMom 3 years ago
How is that insulting? They said your hair looked good....
Load More Replies... Peter Trudell Jr 3 years ago
holy carp, it's like BP doesn't show people's eyes anymore. This entire listicle, people were mostly cut off at the nose, had their face obscured, or were facing the other way...
BorPand8 3 years ago
That's a pretty courageous thing to say, coming from somebody like you
Load More Replies... You May Like 135 Best Compliments To Take Them To Cloud Nine 178 One-Word Compliments That Are Just Spot-On Woman Asked For Best Ways To “Rage-Bait” Men, 39 Replies Did Not Disappoint
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