There’s nothing quite like a backhanded compliment, is there? You have a brief feeling of elation because you think the person is being nice and then you quickly come back down to earth when you realize they’re also talking shit at the same time.
You know what I mean, right?
AskReddit users were nice enough to share the most insulting compliments they’ve ever received.
1. Oh, thanks!
” You’re not that ugly , you’re ACTUALLY good looking.”
2. Who are you?
“Wow, you look so cute today!
I didn’t even recognize you at first”
3. If you wanted…
“Wow you’re really good!
I bet you could even play guitar if you wanted”
Said to me, after a gig. Im a bassist.”
4. That took a while.
“You’re so funny!
Now I get why she’s dating you.”
5. You sure do!
“Someone told me I have a voice for radio, I said thanks I have a face for radio too and they enthusiastically said, Yeah, you do!”
6. No longer a boy.
“At least you don’t look like a boy anymore” – when I was growing out my hair more.”
7. Gee, thanks a lot.
“My friend was complaining about creeps hitting on her, then she told me “I wish I could be invisible like you.””
8. Your kind…
“”You know, it’s really great that society is so much more accepting of your kind these days.”
9. What does that mean?
“”You’re like a SMALL cow”
Gee thanks.. at least I’m not a LARGE cow.”
10. That’s still pretty bad.
“I have a fat girl fetish” made me lose weight though so worked out for the best.”
11. Keep trying!
““It’s good to see you’re still trying.”
From a rando on a dating site.”
12. Still not nice.
“My 5 yo daughter said, “You’re fat!”
Then followed up with, “I love it cause you’re so soft and cuddly!””
13. That’s pretty presumptuous.
“You’re so brave to be out and about as a lesbian in such a conservative city.
(I’m straight, just had short hair.)”
14. You had to say “actually”?
“”You actually look good!”
The emphasis on ‘actually’ and the surprise in my friends voice still haunts me.”
15. OK in my book.
“I don’t know why everyone hates you and thinks you’re annoying. You seem okay to me!”
High school sucked.”
16. You know what…
“Ya know, you’d be STUNNING if you lost a few pounds!
You’re pretty NOW, but if you lost the weight…
* Italian chef finger kiss *”
17. Man, people are dicks.
“”Wow your face almost makes up for (pauses) the rest.”
18. You’re no dummy.
“You’re smarter than I thought” helping my then BEST friend in a math class.”
19. Just don’t talk. At all.
“Don’t worry, I think of you as white.”
A workmate trying to make me feel better after a racist slur was used against me.
He thought it was a compliment…sigh.”
20. I’m a native!
“Your German is pretty good for a foreigner.
I was born in Germany.
I was raised in Germany.
I’ve spoken (with them) German for years.
Hell, I don’t even look foreign.”
21. How’d she end up with YOU?
“Your girlfriend is so great!
How the hell did you pull that off?”
22. Cancel that date.
“I was talking to a woman online years ago, and when we were talking about going on a date, she casually mentioned that “looks don’t matter to me, and you have a good personality”.
Ouch, I canceled the date.
I mean, I feel ugly but I couldn’t stand dating someone who agreed.”
23. Ouch…that hurts.
“Being awarded “Most Improved” three years in a row.”
Yikes…those are pretty rough.
But, it’s important to keep in mind that people who deliver these kinds of lines are usually miserable, so we shouldn’t put a whole lot of stock into what they say.
What’s the worst backhanded compliment you’ve ever received?
Share with us in the comments!
