Happy National Compliment Day! Here Are The Top Backhanded Compliments

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Today (January 24) is National Compliment Day! Hearing someone show their appreciation by complimenting the work you’ve done, a clothing item you’re wearing, your hair style or a skill set is one that never gets old. Especially creative compliments that aren’t so common but there are definitely “compliments” that no one wants to receive and those are referred to as backhanded compliments.

What Is A Backhanded Compliment?

A backhanded compliment is a statement that appears to be nice on the surface but actually contains a subtle insult or criticism, meaning it is praising someone while simultaneously putting them down with a negative undertone.

Below are 15 backhanded compliments you should be aware of:

• You’re so pretty for a (Black/Brown girl, Plus size girl, Darker skin girl)
• You carry your weight well
• I admire your confidence
• You look so pretty when you smile
• You look good for your age
• You look nothing like your pictures
• You clean up so well!
• You don’t need to be smart, you’re pretty
• You have such a great personality
• You look so good! What’s different about you?
• Wow, you should really wear makeup more often.
• Wow, I didn’t know round faces could pull off short/long/dark/light hair!
• You’re like a whole different person with makeup!
• You look just like [person much older or less attractive]
• Don’t take this the wrong way…

If a backhanded compliment ever comes your way unprovoked the best way to respond is asking “what do you mean by that” this will force the person to rethink and hopefully realize that it wasn’t something they should’ve said. Checkout the video below for a few other examples of how to respond to backhanded compliments.

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