Top 5 Compliments That Will Make You Feel Worse
- By Bella Harris
- Published 05/7/2009
- Marketing
- Unrated
Bella Harris
Solopress prints compliment slips and a variety of other personalised stationery products for businesses in the UK.
View all articles by Bella Harris
It is always nice to receive a genuine compliment. It something we all crave and need, and that we doesn't always get enough of. At least it shows someone is paying attention. Yes, a good compliment can put a smile on the rest of your day. However, there is a certain kind of compliment that doesn't make you feel good, instead it actually makes you feel worse.
It can be known as a backwards compliment or two faced compliment, and most of the time the people giving you the compliment are not aware that they are saying something negative about you even in the form of a compliment. Other often sarcastic people like to put others down by these passive aggressive methods. Here are some of the worst compliments to give to other people, and that you probably wish you haven't said the moment the words cam out of your mouth!
1. ‘Some people get uglier over the years but you are just the opposite’.
Yes, the meaning of saying this is probably to comfort someone about their age and looks, but the way it comes out leaves you thinking something else, such as you must have been ugly but now getting prettier? Not exactly a charming compliment.
2. ‘You have really lost a lot of weight’.
Another popular compliment, which is not as bad as the one above and usually well intentioned. However, for people who have lost a lot of weight, being reminded that they were overweight before
is not something they like. Instead say something like ”Wow.. You look really slim”. No hint at being overweight and a much better and nicer compliment.
3. ‘Those xxx look much better than the ones you usually wear’.
Probably heard most among women as sort of a put down, when one of their girlfriends get a piece of clothing or shoes that are really nice and classy. Instead of just complimenting how good they look, there is a compliment along with an intimation thrown in to usual lack of style.
4. ‘You are such a nice guy'
This one is for the guys. When a woman tells you this, you pretty much know your chances of getting romantic with her are gone. No chance it is happening! Women don't realise this, but for the “nice guys” out there being told they are ‘nice guys’ is just as bad as being told outright they are not dating material. Nice guys finish last!
5. ‘You’re looking well!’
This implies that you normally look awful and although is not intentionally used to cause offence, it can often make people feel worse.
When you give out a compliment it should always be genuine and about something you really are impressed with, this is true for both verbal compliments and compliment slips. Fake compliments never accomplish much to either you or the person on the receiving end. The old adage of any sort of compliment will ‘do’ is simply not true. Far better to remember the other well known saying ‘if you haven’t got anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all’!
It can be known as a backwards compliment or two faced compliment, and most of the time the people giving you the compliment are not aware that they are saying something negative about you even in the form of a compliment. Other often sarcastic people like to put others down by these passive aggressive methods. Here are some of the worst compliments to give to other people, and that you probably wish you haven't said the moment the words cam out of your mouth!
1. ‘Some people get uglier over the years but you are just the opposite’.
Yes, the meaning of saying this is probably to comfort someone about their age and looks, but the way it comes out leaves you thinking something else, such as you must have been ugly but now getting prettier? Not exactly a charming compliment.
2. ‘You have really lost a lot of weight’.
Another popular compliment, which is not as bad as the one above and usually well intentioned. However, for people who have lost a lot of weight, being reminded that they were overweight before
3. ‘Those xxx look much better than the ones you usually wear’.
Probably heard most among women as sort of a put down, when one of their girlfriends get a piece of clothing or shoes that are really nice and classy. Instead of just complimenting how good they look, there is a compliment along with an intimation thrown in to usual lack of style.
4. ‘You are such a nice guy'
This one is for the guys. When a woman tells you this, you pretty much know your chances of getting romantic with her are gone. No chance it is happening! Women don't realise this, but for the “nice guys” out there being told they are ‘nice guys’ is just as bad as being told outright they are not dating material. Nice guys finish last!
5. ‘You’re looking well!’
This implies that you normally look awful and although is not intentionally used to cause offence, it can often make people feel worse.
When you give out a compliment it should always be genuine and about something you really are impressed with, this is true for both verbal compliments and compliment slips. Fake compliments never accomplish much to either you or the person on the receiving end. The old adage of any sort of compliment will ‘do’ is simply not true. Far better to remember the other well known saying ‘if you haven’t got anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all’!