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  3. What are some backhanded compliments that are very subtle?

What are some backhanded compliments that are very subtle?

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  • O [email protected]

    Find reasons to agree with someone. Things like "You are so right", "I never thought of that", " I loved the way you put that", "I remember what you said x days/weeks/years ago; it still makes me smile/encourages me"...

    Few things are as uplifting as making someone else feel special. Be genuine about it and the recipients day (or more) will brighten.

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    wrote last edited by
    #12

    What do you think the word "backhanded" means?

    S C 2 Replies Last reply
    6
    • O [email protected]

      Find reasons to agree with someone. Things like "You are so right", "I never thought of that", " I loved the way you put that", "I remember what you said x days/weeks/years ago; it still makes me smile/encourages me"...

      Few things are as uplifting as making someone else feel special. Be genuine about it and the recipients day (or more) will brighten.

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      T This user is from outside of this forum
      [email protected]
      wrote last edited by
      #13

      "Thank you for your contribution."

      1 Reply Last reply
      2
      • zachariah@lemmy.worldZ [email protected]

        I may need to say something that is (seemingly) nice about someone, but I’d prefer it be very subtly backhanded or nearly believable hyperbole.




        Edit: I realized that I was imagining something like how the Colbert Report was done where it’s easy to believe I’m agreeing when really I’m spoofing.

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        wrote last edited by
        #14

        The series Ted Lasso is chock full of these, but my favorite was after Jade meets Rupert and he leaves, she says, "Well, he seems rich."

        Like it almost sounds like a compliment, but only if you lack the self-awareness and empathy of someone who isn't rich.

        1 Reply Last reply
        9
        • zachariah@lemmy.worldZ [email protected]

          I may need to say something that is (seemingly) nice about someone, but I’d prefer it be very subtly backhanded or nearly believable hyperbole.




          Edit: I realized that I was imagining something like how the Colbert Report was done where it’s easy to believe I’m agreeing when really I’m spoofing.

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          wrote last edited by
          #15

          "I never thought of it that way."

          "That's a new perspective."

          "I love your confidence!"

          1 Reply Last reply
          5
          • zachariah@lemmy.worldZ [email protected]

            I may need to say something that is (seemingly) nice about someone, but I’d prefer it be very subtly backhanded or nearly believable hyperbole.




            Edit: I realized that I was imagining something like how the Colbert Report was done where it’s easy to believe I’m agreeing when really I’m spoofing.

            crazi_man@europe.pubC This user is from outside of this forum
            crazi_man@europe.pubC This user is from outside of this forum
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            wrote last edited by
            #16

            Most of the comments here seem very British. This is entirely the British way......saying something good isn't just taken at face value as a positive; instead it is taken to mean that every other time was very negative.

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            • S [email protected]

              What do you think the word "backhanded" means?

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              wrote last edited by
              #17

              My backhand in tennis is much more powerful than my forehand, so it must mean "strong" or "powerful", it only makes sense

              1 Reply Last reply
              1
              • S [email protected]

                What do you think the word "backhanded" means?

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                wrote last edited by
                #18

                I think they thought it meant “veiled compliments” and not “veiled insults.”

                Which isn’t hard to confuse really.

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                0
                • zachariah@lemmy.worldZ [email protected]

                  I may need to say something that is (seemingly) nice about someone, but I’d prefer it be very subtly backhanded or nearly believable hyperbole.




                  Edit: I realized that I was imagining something like how the Colbert Report was done where it’s easy to believe I’m agreeing when really I’m spoofing.

                  P This user is from outside of this forum
                  P This user is from outside of this forum
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                  wrote last edited by
                  #19

                  Why do you need to? Arent there enough assholes already?

                  zachariah@lemmy.worldZ G 2 Replies Last reply
                  7
                  • zachariah@lemmy.worldZ [email protected]

                    I may need to say something that is (seemingly) nice about someone, but I’d prefer it be very subtly backhanded or nearly believable hyperbole.




                    Edit: I realized that I was imagining something like how the Colbert Report was done where it’s easy to believe I’m agreeing when really I’m spoofing.

                    O This user is from outside of this forum
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                    wrote last edited by
                    #20

                    You're at the top of the bell curve!

                    D O 2 Replies Last reply
                    47
                    • O [email protected]

                      Find reasons to agree with someone. Things like "You are so right", "I never thought of that", " I loved the way you put that", "I remember what you said x days/weeks/years ago; it still makes me smile/encourages me"...

                      Few things are as uplifting as making someone else feel special. Be genuine about it and the recipients day (or more) will brighten.

                      A This user is from outside of this forum
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                      wrote last edited by
                      #21

                      I like that you tried.

                      (Is this one?)

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      9
                      • F [email protected]

                        "Wow you look good today."

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                        wrote last edited by
                        #22

                        It may be backhanded or not

                        L 1 Reply Last reply
                        1
                        • P [email protected]

                          Why do you need to? Arent there enough assholes already?

                          zachariah@lemmy.worldZ This user is from outside of this forum
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                          wrote last edited by
                          #23

                          I have befriended someone who has high opinions of some people I regard as selfish toxic idiots. I don’t feel the need to launch a frontal assault on this person’s beliefs, but I also don’t want to simply agree with them.

                          Admittedly, it’s passive aggressive. I may not follow through.

                          P 1 Reply Last reply
                          6
                          • zachariah@lemmy.worldZ [email protected]

                            I may need to say something that is (seemingly) nice about someone, but I’d prefer it be very subtly backhanded or nearly believable hyperbole.




                            Edit: I realized that I was imagining something like how the Colbert Report was done where it’s easy to believe I’m agreeing when really I’m spoofing.

                            B This user is from outside of this forum
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                            wrote last edited by
                            #24

                            My dog would like you.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • F [email protected]

                              “ bless your heart”

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                              wrote last edited by
                              #25

                              That one just seems meaningless.

                              F 2 Replies Last reply
                              2
                              • zachariah@lemmy.worldZ [email protected]

                                I have befriended someone who has high opinions of some people I regard as selfish toxic idiots. I don’t feel the need to launch a frontal assault on this person’s beliefs, but I also don’t want to simply agree with them.

                                Admittedly, it’s passive aggressive. I may not follow through.

                                P This user is from outside of this forum
                                P This user is from outside of this forum
                                [email protected]
                                wrote last edited by
                                #26

                                You can express your views about these people in a dispassionate manner as well. It’s not a choice between being a dick about it or agreeing with them. Nothing good comes from passive aggression. You’d probably consider that toxic too if it were directed at you or your opinions.

                                zachariah@lemmy.worldZ L 2 Replies Last reply
                                3
                                • P [email protected]

                                  You can express your views about these people in a dispassionate manner as well. It’s not a choice between being a dick about it or agreeing with them. Nothing good comes from passive aggression. You’d probably consider that toxic too if it were directed at you or your opinions.

                                  zachariah@lemmy.worldZ This user is from outside of this forum
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                                  wrote last edited by [email protected]
                                  #27

                                  fair point

                                  currently, I just don’t reply

                                  edit: My other thought was to really lean into agreeing with them. For example: The friend doesn’t explicitly embrace these people’s racism, but maybe it would make an impact if the friend witnessed me celebrating these people’s racism when the friend praises them for something else.

                                  moondoggie@lemmy.worldM 1 Reply Last reply
                                  1
                                  • H [email protected]

                                    That one just seems meaningless.

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                                    wrote last edited by
                                    #28

                                    In the south, it’s considered a polite way to say “go fuck yourself”

                                    G H M B 4 Replies Last reply
                                    8
                                    • P [email protected]

                                      Why do you need to? Arent there enough assholes already?

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                                      wrote last edited by
                                      #29

                                      I bet you're fun at parties.

                                      G P 2 Replies Last reply
                                      0
                                      • F [email protected]

                                        In the south, it’s considered a polite way to say “go fuck yourself”

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                                        wrote last edited by
                                        #30

                                        it's also synonymous with "you're a fucking idiot, stop talking"

                                        F 1 Reply Last reply
                                        9
                                        • F [email protected]

                                          In the south, it’s considered a polite way to say “go fuck yourself”

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                                          wrote last edited by
                                          #31

                                          Yeah I know (not familiar with the precise connotations but the general concept at least.)

                                          I don’t see why it would be a compliment in any way, at most it would just be confusing.

                                          K F 2 Replies Last reply
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