What are some backhanded compliments that are very subtle?
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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.My dog would like you.
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“ bless your heart”
That one just seems meaningless.
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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.
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.
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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.
wrote last edited by [email protected]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.
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That one just seems meaningless.
In the south, it’s considered a polite way to say “go fuck yourself”
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Why do you need to? Arent there enough assholes already?
I bet you're fun at parties.
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In the south, it’s considered a polite way to say “go fuck yourself”
it's also synonymous with "you're a fucking idiot, stop talking"
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In the south, it’s considered a polite way to say “go fuck yourself”
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.
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"Wow you look good today."
I had someone tell a coworker "you look better" when he was trying to give a compliment, and it came out so uncomplimentary we were all laughing when he left.
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I bet you're fun at parties.
"I bet you're fun at parties"
No one who says that is fun at parties
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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.The only one I've ever pulled off on the spur of a moment unintentionally is when my asshole stepdad broke his foot and I ended up casually quipping to him, "you gotta work hard in order to get a leg up in the world".
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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.
It's not a compliment, but it is a backhanded comment. My grade for the commenter? 50%. Didn't understand the assignment, but tried anyway.
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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.I envy those who have never met you
Good go to
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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.
I use the blank stare with “what do you mean?” Then I continue to be clueless as they explain whatever shitty viewpoint they’re backing.
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It's not a compliment, but it is a backhanded comment. My grade for the commenter? 50%. Didn't understand the assignment, but tried anyway.
I can't edit my comment for some reason so....
Edit: bless their heart
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"I bet you're fun at parties"
No one who says that is fun at parties
I'm a blast. not really fair though, I don't associate myself with assholes so every party is a blast.
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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.Some I've collected over the years.
- "At this point, you can only impress me."
- "My opinion of you can only go up from here"
- "The bar was on the ground and you brought a shovel."
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"Would you think less of me if ____."
"I could never think less of you."-
Britta says "nobody respects me any less as a political activist, right?"
Long pause...
Jeff: "the level to which we respect you as a political activist has definitely not changed"
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- “You aren’t the biggest idiot in the world but you better hope they don’t die”
- Unencumbered by the thought process.
- "I'm guessing you weren't burdened with an overabundance of schooling." - Malcolm Reynolds
- "My days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." Malcolm Reynolds
- "You're the reason we have warning labels."
- "They only got two brain cells and both of them are fighting for third place."
- "It's impossible to underestimate you."
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"Don't underestimate me."
"I couldn't possibly."
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- "If you were half as smart as you think you are, you’d be twice as smart as you really are."
- "If you ever had a clever thought, it died alone and afraid."
- "They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge."
- "He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know." - Abraham Lincoln
- "May I ask what's on your mind, if you'll forgive the overstatement?"
- "You could hide your own Easter eggs."
- "I can explain it again, if you'd like, but I can't understand for you."
- "He is a modest man with much to be modest about."
- "I would agree with you but then we would both be wrong"
- "Your secret is safe with my indifference."
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I can't edit my comment for some reason so....
Edit: bless their heart
You too? Haven't been able to edit for a couple of weeks. I think it has to do with a ban on some comm.
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You could hide your own Easter eggs.
Actually lol'd at this one. After snorting that is.
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You're at the top of the bell curve!
I like that one!
