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.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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What do you think the word "backhanded" means?
My backhand in tennis is much more powerful than my forehand, so it must mean "strong" or "powerful", it only makes sense
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What do you think the word "backhanded" means?
I think they thought it meant “veiled compliments” and not “veiled insults.”
Which isn’t hard to confuse really.
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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.Why do you need to? Arent there enough assholes already?
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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.You're at the top of the bell curve!
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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.
I like that you tried.
(Is this one?)
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"Wow you look good today."
It may be backhanded or not
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Why do you need to? Arent there enough assholes already?
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.
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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.
