Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Share Something That's A Compliment And An Insult At The Same Time

People Share Something That's A Compliment And An Insult At The Same Time
Jessica Da Rosa on Unsplash

Have you ever gotten a compliment that makes you wonder if it's really complimentary?

Like, is it really an insult disguised as a compliment?


Redditor shamilat asked:

"What's a compliment and an insult at the same time?"

Diplomacy

"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." ~ RedStarRocket91

Certain Savoir Faire

“'I love how you’ll just wear anything' -John Mulany" ~ kgottshall

Age Is Just A Number

"'You're very beautiful for your age' or 'I can tell you were beautiful when you were younger'." ~ PJmichelle

Now And Then

"Wow, you smell a lot nicer than usual!" ~ Prank_Owl

"You look so much nicer now!" ~ DogBreathologist

"I had a teacher in high school tell me, in front of the class, how much better I looked since putting on a little weight."

"I had always been super skinny but had put on 20 pounds that year because my doctor was trying out depression meds on me after my dad died. F'k you, lady." ~ SkullsInSpace

Because...?

"It’s a good thing you’re so pretty." ~ ZOMGBabyFoofs

Introverts

"I always get 'Wow, we used to think you were a real b*tch 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 its variants will eventually be said again." ~ Spasay

"There’s the classic, 'I don’t care what they say about you, you’re alright'.” ~ theleftbuttcheek


"'You’re alright' is bad enough, it’s like telling someone who’s doing their best that 'It could be worse' or 'It’s good enough'." ~ Ragingbull444

"I got this comment from friends a few times long before I knew the whole resting b*tch face thing was a typical introvert problem, and I didn’t know that simply being quieter than everyone else would be seen as such a negative (especially when I’m trying to talk but not wanting to interrupt and talk over everyone else)."

"Also I thought a b*tch was someone who was openly mean and rude to people so I wondered wtf did I do wrong." ~ PrismInTheDark

A For Effort

"'I can see that you're trying' (when someone showed you something they worked hard on, and it's the only positive thing you can think of to say)." ~ GingerMau

”I can see what you were going for here.” ~ tamsui_tosspot

Family

"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." ~ Island_Monkey86

So what's your story?

Has anyone ever given you a backhanded compliment?

Want to "know" more?

Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

Never miss another big, odd, funny or heartbreaking moment again.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Screenshot of Jennifer Welch
I've Had It Podcast

Liberal Podcast Host Calls For Boycott Of 'Every F—king Thing' On CBS News After Scott Pelley's Firing In Fiery Mic Drop Rant

Former Bravo star and I've Had It podcast co-host Jennifer Welch called for people to "boycott every f**king thing on CBS News" after 60 Minutes anchor Scott Pelley was fired after a heated clash with network executives.

Pelley's contract was terminated following a contentious public dispute with Nick Bilton, a former technology reporter recently brought in by Bari Weiss, who has also overseen a broader shake-up that included the departure of senior producers and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega.

Keep ReadingShow less
JoJo Siwa shared a health update after suffering a concussion and eye infection following a golf cart accident.
@itsjojosiwa/Instagram

JoJo Siwa Reveals Concussion And 'Gnarly' Eye Infection After Getting 'Thrown Off' Golf Cart

After worrying fans with photos and videos showing a swollen, infected eye, JoJo Siwa has revealed the cause of her recent health scare: a golf cart accident that left her with a concussion and other injuries.

Siwa shared a glimpse of her condition following the accident:

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Ted Lieu and Marco Rubio
@Acyn/X

Marco Rubio Hit With Instant Video Factcheck After Claiming To Congress That He's 'Never Seen' Trump 'Fall Asleep'

California Democratic Representative Ted Lieu caught Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a blatant lie and presented video evidence after Rubio testified to Congress that he'd "never seen" President Donald Trump "fall asleep" during a Cabinet meeting.

Trump has repeatedly had to cover for always falling asleep during meetings and events, and regularly rages against anyone who points out obvious signs of age-related decline. Last month, a White House account claimed he was simply "blinking" after Trump appeared to fall asleep during an event on maternal health in the Oval Office.

Keep ReadingShow less
Joel Webbon
@joelwebbon/X

Conservative Pastor Roasted Over Claim That Smoking Marijuana Instead Of Tobacco Makes Men 'Spiritually Gay'

Stop smoking weed or you'll turn gay. Real men smoke cigarettes! That's the message, more or less, that one wackjob pastor recently delivered to his followers.

Fundamentalist Christian Joel Webbon, who, like most fundamentalist Christians, is obsessed with gay people, says that the path back to "masculinity" is nicotine, whereas marijuana makes men "spiritually gay."

Keep ReadingShow less
Céline Dion; Peabo Bryson
Cindy Ord/Getty Images; Robin L Marshall/FilmMagic/Getty Images

'Heartbroken' Céline Dion Shares Sweet Tribute To 'Beauty And The Beast' Duet Partner Peabo Bryson After His Death At 75

American singer and songwriter Peabo Bryson passed away on Tuesday at the age of 75 after news broke on Sunday that he had suffered a stroke.

According to a statement from his family, the legendary R&B singer died peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, at a hospital in Marietta, Georgia.

Keep ReadingShow less