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
Make us preferred on Google

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 Donald Trump
@Acyn/X

Trump Blasted After Sharing Unhinged Story About Anonymous 'Very Obese' Friend Who Is Taking 'Fat Drugs' In Bonkers Clip

President Donald Trump was criticized after he, in a bizarre moment while discussing the high cost of GLP-1 drugs in the United States, shared a story about a "very obese" friend of his who is on "fat drugs" that don't appear to be working.

Trump's administration has previously taken credit for a decline in prices, citing deals with drugmakers and the launch of the direct-to-consumer platform TrumpRx.

Keep ReadingShow less
Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha Obama
Win McNamee/Getty Images

Michelle Obama's Candid Comments About Why She Doesn't 'Miss' Her Kids Has Moms Everywhere Applauding

The stereotype of the weeping mother unable to cope with her children beginning preschool, or kindergarten, or graduating from high school, or going off to college was shattered by former First Lady Michelle Obama during a recent appearance by Jon Stewart on her IMO (In My Opinion) with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson podcast.

While pop culture has reinforced the trope of empty nester moms unable to cope when their children gain independence, the former FLOTUS told Stewart she feels free now that her daughters Malia and Sasha Obama, now 28 and 25 years old respectively, have moved out on their own.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @nikolcosmetics's TikTok
@nikolcosmetics/TikTok

Former Waitress Sparks Debate After Explaining Why Tipping Isn't About 'Entitlement' In Viral TikTok Video

You can tell a lot about a person based on how they treat people who work in the service industry or in retail.

That includes not only one-on-one interactions with employees and restaurant servers, but also how someone speaks about tipping after a dining experience.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from @spicycokezero's TikTok
@spicycokezero/TikTok

Woman Shares Nightmare First Date After 'Condescending' Guy Bizarrely Insulted Her Height And Intelligence

While dating can be fun, there are inevitably going to be some disappointing experiences thrown into the mix, simply because we're not meant to match with every other single person out there.

But there are some people who ignore dating etiquette entirely, from how they portray themselves to how they treat their dates, and take the date from something lackluster to something better suited for a TV drama or to be told around a campfire.

Keep ReadingShow less
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates defeating Jaime Faria of Portugal in the Men's Singles Second Round.
Julian Finney/Getty Images

Tennis Star Carlos Alcaraz Had A Hilarious Wardrobe Malfunction At The US Open—And Fans Are Cracking Up

Tennis fans came for the action at the U.S. Open, but Carlos Alcaraz’s wardrobe ended up stealing some of the spotlight.

The defending champion and World No. 3 returned to competitive singles last Monday after a four-month layoff due to a right wrist injury, facing Roman Safiullin in the opening round at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Keep ReadingShow less