There is truly an art to the backhanded compliment. It does well to remember that while some are mean-spirited, others might come from a place of ignorance. Sooo... it might not be the best response to insult the person right back (just in case they know what you're doing and might have a bone to pick).
But for those of you who are evil, you're in luck. There are plenty of backhanded compliments to celebrate (and steal) thanks to Redditor cybersans who asked the online community,
"What's a compliment but an insult at the same time?"
"The ultimate..."
"Bless your heart." The ultimate Southern compliment and insult in one package."
I spent last night watching The American Barbecue Showdown and the first time a judge said, "Bless his heart," I cackled.
"A friend of mine..."
"A friend of mine used to say 'You are a pauper amongst princes' with such confidence it would often not compute with the person he just said it to."
"Good for you..."
"Good for you" always sounded a little backhanded to me even when said with the best of intentions."
Oh, it can be interpreted that way for sure.
Though other times people just don't know what to say.
"When I was a bridesmaid..."
"When I was a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding; the dress she picked was unflattering on me. The entire night everyone kept telling me what a beautiful color that was on me."
"Someone's come out..."
"Wow, you're really talkative today!"
"Someone's come out of their shell, haven't they?"
Why can't people be a little more introspective and considerate?
"Saying 'yes'..."
"Southern slang: Calling someone "Honey" or saying "bless your heart" is calling them slow and or special. This is obviously taboo.
Saying "Yes" to when someone asks you if you mind doing something. You are not saying you will do it, you are saying that it bothers you to do it."
"Don't know if it qualifies..."
"Don't know if it qualifies as an insult, but my ex told me I came to his attention as soon as we met first as a very beautiful woman, and in the next sentence he said another woman in the group (we met in a group setting) came to his attention as well.
Quite the roller-coaster - first I was flattered, then kinda bummed/a bit jealous/insecure, then happy he was so honest about it but it still seriously took away from the compliment."
Ouch.
The sign of a man who doesn't know what he wants. I can see why he's an ex.
"I always thought..."
"Person A: "See you later."
Person B: "Not if I see you first!"
I always thought this meant that Person B would be the first to say hello when they next meet. It took a long time for me to realise that it actually meant that Person B would see Person A first, then attempt to avoid them."
"...and I was genuinely flattered..."
"You're so photogenic."
Got this compliment a lot back then in school and I was genuinely flattered until someone (who's my close friend) said in a random convo that somehow it means that you look good in pics but not in real life. Thanks, my self-esteem shattered that day."
For those of you who just realized that someone gave you a backhanded compliment... we're sorry, and ouch.
And for those of you looking to add a few to your repertoire, well... you're welcome.
Have some additions of your own? Feel free to tell us about them in the comments below!
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