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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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  • F [email protected]

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

    G This user is from outside of this forum
    G This user is from outside of this forum
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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”

      H This user is from outside of this forum
      H This user is from outside of this forum
      [email protected]
      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
      0
      • F [email protected]

        "Wow you look good today."

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        wrote last edited by
        #32

        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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        1
        • G [email protected]

          I bet you're fun at parties.

          G This user is from outside of this forum
          G This user is from outside of this forum
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          wrote last edited by
          #33

          "I bet you're fun at parties"

          No one who says that is fun at parties

          G 1 Reply 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.

            bizarroland@lemmy.worldB This user is from outside of this forum
            bizarroland@lemmy.worldB This user is from outside of this forum
            [email protected]
            wrote last edited by
            #34

            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".

            bizarroland@lemmy.worldB 1 Reply Last reply
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            • H [email protected]

              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 This user is from outside of this forum
              K This user is from outside of this forum
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              wrote last edited by
              #35

              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.

              K 1 Reply Last reply
              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.

                C This user is from outside of this forum
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                wrote last edited by
                #36

                I envy those who have never met you

                Good go to

                1 Reply Last reply
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                • zachariah@lemmy.worldZ [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.

                  moondoggie@lemmy.worldM This user is from outside of this forum
                  moondoggie@lemmy.worldM This user is from outside of this forum
                  [email protected]
                  wrote last edited by
                  #37

                  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.

                  P 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • K [email protected]

                    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.

                    K This user is from outside of this forum
                    K This user is from outside of this forum
                    [email protected]
                    wrote last edited by
                    #38

                    I can't edit my comment for some reason so....

                    Edit: bless their heart

                    S 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • G [email protected]

                      "I bet you're fun at parties"

                      No one who says that is fun at parties

                      G This user is from outside of this forum
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                      wrote last edited by
                      #39

                      I'm a blast. not really fair though, I don't associate myself with assholes so every party is a blast.

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      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.

                        themadcodger@kbin.earthT This user is from outside of this forum
                        themadcodger@kbin.earthT This user is from outside of this forum
                        [email protected]
                        wrote last edited by
                        #40

                        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."
                        • "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"

                        • “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."
                          • "Don't underestimate me."
                            "I couldn't possibly."

                        • "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."
                        1 Reply Last reply
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                        • K [email protected]

                          I can't edit my comment for some reason so....

                          Edit: bless their heart

                          S This user is from outside of this forum
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                          wrote last edited by
                          #41

                          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.

                          K P 2 Replies Last reply
                          0
                          • D This user is from outside of this forum
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                            wrote last edited by
                            #42

                            You could hide your own Easter eggs.

                            Actually lol'd at this one. After snorting that is.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            11
                            • O [email protected]

                              You're at the top of the bell curve!

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                              wrote last edited by
                              #43

                              I like that one!

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              2
                              • S [email protected]

                                You remind me of myself

                                D This user is from outside of this forum
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                                wrote last edited by
                                #44

                                "You remind me of you when I was your age."

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                1
                                • F [email protected]

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

                                  M This user is from outside of this forum
                                  M This user is from outside of this forum
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                                  wrote last edited by
                                  #45

                                  My experience is it's used as "go fuck yourself" when it's coming from strangers or people trying to place themselves as superior.
                                  In more familiar relationships, it can also can be used to express sympathy (especially about pain or difficult circumstances), as thanks, or to communicate you've misunderstood something (but it's okay that you did).

                                  F 1 Reply Last reply
                                  1
                                  • G This user is from outside of this forum
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                                    wrote last edited by
                                    #46

                                    Everything anyone said about you is too kind.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • bizarroland@lemmy.worldB [email protected]

                                      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".

                                      bizarroland@lemmy.worldB This user is from outside of this forum
                                      bizarroland@lemmy.worldB This user is from outside of this forum
                                      [email protected]
                                      wrote last edited by
                                      #47

                                      I also just remembered that I later told him he's got to put his foot down on some issue his job was complaining about.

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                                      • K [email protected]

                                        It may be backhanded or not

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                                        wrote last edited by
                                        #48

                                        I think it's backhanded because it implies that the person doesn't usually look good any other day.

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                                        0
                                        • S This user is from outside of this forum
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                                          wrote last edited by
                                          #49

                                          Very nice.

                                          1 Reply Last reply
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