We all want to be complimented. It feels good to have our efforts recognized and our qualities appreciated. But sometimes, a compliment can leave you feeling more confused than flattered.
These are the backhanded compliments – seemingly positive statements that sneak in a subtle jab or disguise a hidden insult. Let’s navigate the minefield of compliments and understand why some seemingly nice words can land with a thud.
The Focus on Appearance: Beyond the Pretty Packaging
Compliments that focus solely on physical appearance can feel shallow and dismissive of your other qualities. Imagine someone praising your new haircut but never mentioning your recent promotion. While looking nice can be a confidence booster, it shouldn’t be the sole focus of appreciation.
What it sounds like:
Age Shaming: “You look amazing for your age!” This compliment implies that looking good is unexpected for older people and diminishes your overall beauty.
Body Objectification: “That dress really flatters your figure.” This compliment reduces you to your physical form and disregards your personality and accomplishments.
Unintentional Backhandedness: “Wow, you’ve lost weight! You look great!” While weight loss can be a positive change, this compliment can be insensitive to those struggling with weight management or negative body image.
Why it’s insulting: These compliments imply your worth is tied to your appearance and diminish other aspects of your personality and achievements. It can also be insensitive to those struggling with weight or body image issues.
Alternatives: Instead, focus on specific aspects of their style or the effort they put in. “That bold color looks fantastic on you!” or “That haircut really suits your face shape!” acknowledges their choices without reducing them to their looks.
The Pity Party Praise: Disguised Disappointment
Sometimes, compliments can be laced with a hint of pity, highlighting your accomplishments while subtly expressing disappointment in other areas. Imagine someone praising your creative writing but then mentioning how surprised they are by your talent.
What it sounds like:
Diminishing Achievements: “I never thought you were the artistic type, but this painting is incredible!” This compliment backhandedly implies you don’t possess certain qualities and undermines the effort you put into your art.
Surprise Over Skill: “Wow, you aced that presentation! Public speaking isn’t usually your strong suit.” This compliment highlights a perceived weakness and overshadows your accomplishment.
Backhanded Encouragement: “That’s so impressive that you graduated top of your class, even with all you have on your plate.” This compliment acknowledges your achievement but adds a qualifier that implies it shouldn’t have been possible, diminishing the effort you invested.
Why it’s insulting: These compliments backhandedly imply that your achievements are unexpected or surprising. It diminishes the effort you put in and can feel patronizing.
Alternatives: Offer genuine praise without qualifiers. “This painting is truly captivating! What inspired you to create it?” or “That presentation was clear and engaging, great job on incorporating those visuals!” celebrates the accomplishment without implying surprise or disappointment.
The Gender Stereotype Trap: Caught in the Outdated Box
Compliments that reinforce outdated gender stereotypes can feel limiting and dismissive of your individuality. Imagine someone praising your cooking skills but assuming you wouldn’t be good at fixing a car.
What it sounds like:
Gendered Roles: “You’re such a natural in the kitchen! Those cookies are delicious.” (to a woman) This compliment reinforces the stereotype that women are solely responsible for cooking.
Appearance and Power: “That’s a powerful outfit! You look like you mean business.” (to a man) This compliment links strong appearance to traditionally masculine traits.
Backhanded Surprise: “Wow, you changed the oil yourself? You’re one handy lady!” This compliment diminishes a woman’s capabilities by expressing surprise at a traditionally masculine task.
Why it’s insulting: These compliments confine you to stereotypical roles and disregard your ability to defy expectations. It can feel dismissive of your skills and interests.
Alternatives: Focus on the effort or the outcome, not the gender stereotype. “Those cookies are amazing! Did you use a special recipe?” or “That outfit looks sharp and professional! It really suits the presentation.” acknowledges the individual’s choice without implying gender limitations.
The Inauthentic Insult: Disguised Disagreement Wrapped in a “Compliment”
Some compliments are thinly veiled attempts to mask disagreement or disapproval. Imagine someone praising your bravery for wearing a bright color, implying they wouldn’t dare to do the same.
What it sounds like:
Questioning Confidence: “You’re so brave to wear such a bold color! It’s not for everyone.” This compliment downplays your confidence in your outfit choice and suggests the wearer wouldn’t be bold enough to try it themselves.
Negging Disguised as Admiration: “I could never pull off that haircut, but it looks fantastic on you!” This compliment fishes for reassurance by putting down their own appearance while backhandedly complimenting yours.
Doubting Disguised as Support: “Wow, you’re taking a big risk with that career change. Good luck!” (said with a hint of doubt) This compliment frames your decision as risky in a negative way, casting doubt on your future success.
Why it’s insulting: These compliments downplay your confidence and subtly suggest they wouldn’t make the same choice. It can feel dismissive and discouraging.
Alternatives: Offer genuine support or ask questions to show interest. “That color looks amazing on you! It’s so eye-catching. What made you choose it?” or “I love that haircut, it’s really unique! How do you style it in the morning?” shows appreciation without judgment and opens the conversation for further connection.
How to Respond to Backhanded Compliments
Being complimented, even a backhanded one, can sometimes catch you off guard. Here are some tips for navigating these situations:
Acknowledge the Positive: Thank the person for the compliment and point out the part that feels genuine. For example, if someone says, “You look amazing for your age!”, you could reply with, “Thank you! I feel great.”
Clarify the Intent: If you’re unsure about the compliment’s true meaning, politely ask for clarification. “Thanks! What do you mean by ‘brave’?” can help you understand their perspective.
Set Boundaries: If the compliment feels intrusive or disrespectful, politely shut it down. “Thank you, but I’m not comfortable with comments about my weight.”
Deliver a Genuine Compliment: Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense. Respond with a sincere compliment about the other person to shift the focus and diffuse the awkwardness.
By understanding backhanded compliments and having some response strategies in your toolkit, you can navigate conversations with more confidence and protect your self-esteem.
Remember, a true compliment focuses on the positive aspects of someone’s actions, achievements, or personality without sneaky jabs or hidden insults. So next time you receive a compliment, take a moment to decipher its true meaning and respond in a way that feels right for you.