9 "Compliments" About Your Body That Are Actually Insults
bySarah Bunton
Everyone likes to be on the receiving end of a compliment; who wouldn't? Even if you're a bit socially awkward, like me, being told something nice about yourself can be a lovely little confident boost. But what happens when, upon further examination, you realize that compliment actually felt more like a passive-aggressive dig? What tends to hurt the worst are "compliments" about your body that are actually insults. Your body, as cliche as it may sound, truly can be your temple. So when someone makes a backhanded compliment about your personal appearance, it can cut pretty deep.
It shouldn't be surprising, yet it kind of is, that there's even a word for it: complisult. Tracing its roots back to an episode of Community, the name means exactly what it sounds like. Someone says something to you that is half compliment and half insult.
Whether or not the complisult giver is intentionally trying to make you feel confused or bad about yourself isn't really the point. The fact of the matter is people say awful things all the time, but it's up to you to take power of your narrative. One of the best ways to do that is to be able to identify what's actually an insult so you can speak out whenever you hear someone say it, well-intentioned or not. To help you along, here are a few "compliments" about yoru body that are actually insulting.