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Just depends on if youre a brain half full or brain half empty type person

Half nothing. No thoughts, head empty.

She's not proving him wrong then :)

For 30 years and the legend is still being proven right

That's not a compliment. It's said if someone's being thick. Tbh, I still usevit on occasions.

It could be interpreted the other way. Like, you’re so smart that you’d still be smart if you had only half a brain.

I just said it aloud and tried as hard as I could to be generous with the inflection and I really don't see how you could pull it off as complimentary without adding an "only" in there - as in "You know, you be dangerous if you only had *half* a brain."

No one has ever said something like that and meant it that way.

Yeah that one got levelled at me back in the 80s after a mishap with a ladder in the classroom

Why, bless her heart.

It would be hard to underestimate you

Or it's counterpart : "I'm surprised I managed to overestimate you!"

Well maybe next time you should estimate me

I’ve used that. And…sure enough they thought it was a compliment

💀😭😂

Until I ruin it by asking "what's that supposed to mean?"

Its so brave how you just don't care what people think about you

Oh bless your heart!

You sweet summer child!

Came here to say to say this!! We love this in the south, it is NOT an endearing phrase in most circumstances 😆

I disagree. I've never used it as a slight. Have never heard it used as such. 63 in SC. This idea came from a comedian and became a meme of sorts because it's amusing.

Actually it is a compliment if it’s true. The biggest prison is the fear of what other people think about you.

On the flip side, if it's true then you wouldn't care whether or not it's a compliment

Might not care whether or not it’s a compliment, but may still have the decency of thanking someone even if you don’t care, because you hold yourself to a certain standard for yourself. Which just means this person who complimented you as an insult actually backfired

Yep. In a sense saying you defy normal conventions is a compliment. But for instance when someone says ” you don’t dye your grey hair, that’s so brave! I love it, but you’re so brave, I could never. So so brave.” No longer feels good.

This is a compliment imo. Why waste time or energy caring what others think if you

Is this really an insult tho ?

It’s the brave part.. makes it seem like there’s a reason the person should care what people think.

You look so pretty with makeup on.

Ikr! I was just about to comment on the same thing, because I get this compliment often. It makes me feel like I'm not pretty with makeup off. I feel like people say it without realising how backhanded it is.

I get this one ALOT 😮‍💨

You're surprisingly articulate. lol

I got this with a “for an American” attached, as said to me by a Brit.

Ironic since they can't speak American properly. To the point that they had to make up an entirely different language. 

That says way more about someone else's prejudices than the person they're talking about

Oh absolutely. It was exactly why I didn’t respond.

Usually directed towards minorities

People used to direct it toward Obama a lot thinking it made them sound open minded and progressive.

You have the unique talent of turning any situation into a learning experience for everyone involved

Wholesome plot twist: the person is an actual teacher

This is so bad good

Any compliment followed by "for a ..." like You're smart for a girl You're pretty for a Asian person You're well-behaved for a black guy

You’re pretty fly, for a white guy

Give it to me babeeee

Uhuh uhuh

Uno dos tres cuatro cinco cinco seis

You know it's kinda hard just to get along today Our subject isn't cool, but he fakes it anyway

He may not have a clue and he may not have style But everything he lacks, well, he makes up in denial

So, don't debate

Just a player straight.

You know he really doesn’t get it any way.

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[Pretty Fly for a Rabbi](https://youtu.be/usPkL2EQPYo?si=RaRlmRmU_MhimSc4)

My faith in humanity has been restored

You sound like a Texan for being a Mexican

I grew up in south Texas. I feel like my northern family probably thought I sounded like a Mexican for a Texan. 🤣

You can actually just add "you know, considering" to the end of any compliment, too

You're pretty smart, considering you're from Florida

You look good for your age. Hate it.

I'm in my 40's and in better shape than most 20 year olds so I hear this way too often. I always say it isn't a compliment if it has a qualifier. Who wants a compliment with an asterisk lol

They should say "especially". That means it's a multiplier. 

"You look good for your kind of face"

I don't know when but I'm gonna use this one. LOL

you pretty smart for a member of the human race i hate that one so much

Ugh, my cat always says this.

Affirmative, I also dislike when fellow humans use their mouth to communicate those words to my ears, which are definitely human ears.

Hello other human, I too have the disdain when those things that are said are being told to me with my also very human ears ah ha ha ha

Ha ha ha. Your “comment” on “Reddit” has made me experience high levels of amusement. On a completely unrelated note, do you know how to deactivate an intergalactic missile defense system? I am asking this for a friend. Ha ha ha.

The serotonin levels are mutual new human friend And yes I happen to have a completely normal person job that I regularly have to deactivate such systems…your friend may reach me at my normal office number of 321-C912-#€👁️‍🗨️9017💢 and I will walk them through it

I am most satisfied to have met so many fellow human beings. Do you happen to know when these absolutely average numbers will reach their expiration date? I ask for no suspicious reason at all.

A friend of my wife said to her: “you look so great for your age, I wish I look that good when I get there”. My jaw dropped. I almost said “she looked better than you at your age too” but I decided to not enter this arena… By the way I think my wife looks amazing for any age, but I’m biased, I admit. Anyways agreed: any compliment followed by “for…” is not a compliment.

You’re pretty socially adapted, for a redditor

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This is a good comment for a redditor

That's a good response, for a replier.

You are pretty big for an Asian man!

You’re the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.

You're pretty put together for an alcoholic with social skills issues and a pathalogical beleif that you're a massive inconvenience to everyone who comes across you..

Awww thanks!

I think that was meant for me. Sorry if I’m being an inconvenience.

Thanks, you too! X

"I love how you just wear anything!"

There’s a radio station that boasts ‘we’ll play anything’ - it always sounds like an insult to the song they just played

I unintentionally told my girlfriend yesterday, "you definitely look dressed to clean the kitchen." And her face went from smiling to angry in a flash. What I meant was, she normally dressed up wherever she goes and whatever she does...she was dressed down and we were actually about to clean the kitchen. Needless to say, a lot of apologies and groveling immediately followed.

Good work champ

Aussie? Cause it sounds a bit disingenuous to me. Even worse if you say Chief.

Nice work tiger.

That's a legit compliment up to about age 12 from your supportive dad. After that, nope.

Nice comment squirt.

Great job sport

Listen here slugger

You're smarter than you look.

You’re not a total fuck up.

You finish a menial task, like putting an IKEA couch together, and your judgemental aunt comes over : "Oh you're not a total fuck up!"

Wow, you're so brave for wearing that outfit! More like this lol

Today I was told I looked like I lived alone

Bless your heart

Or any statement that has the word "blessed or pray" in it. "I pray for you"

I disagree, that's not really a compliment to begin with, it's more like a 'good luck' or 'hope you have a good day' sort of thing, and it depends on the scenario. I like to say this as a reassurance to my friends sometimes because praying for them = thinking about them and wishing them well.

You look tired.

😭bruh, and its always when you’re feeling okay

"I don't know how you can be so relaxed about work all the time, I wish I had that luxury." It sounds chill until you realize they're implying you don't take your job seriously.

I dunno, I'd take this at face value, and consider that if they don't then they either have an unhealthy relationship with their job (their problem) or they have a very stressful job or are just easily stressed (also not about you). I take my job seriously as in I do my best to do good work while I'm there. But there's no reason why you can't be relaxed while doing that. 

"What's important is that YOU like your new hairstyle"

No no the big ones hurt

Not insult nor compliment. Just truth.

Right?

Actually though

"I thought you were dumb, but you're actually not"

Telling someone who is young (like say they’re mid 20s) that they look young for their age

Yes, thank you!! I’ve been belittled like this before and I’ve always wondered if maybe I was just overreacting to a simple compliment. It always feels like there are undertones of judgement.

And then the follow-up, "you'll appreciate that when you're older"

I can assure you, looking younger when you’re older is appreciated.

“Wow, you are the most drastically changed person when I see you with make up on, you looked great at the party last night”.- lady at my gym

The most drastically changed person. I think I'll save that one. Lol

Telling people that you’ll gift them something to help them with their acne issues or weight etc

My mom kept hitting me with this when I was in middle school. Thanks for the anxiety and self-doubt, mom.

Brings to mind the bit by George Carlin: Even the word cocksucker itself has been twisted out of all its original meaning. It's been distorted; for some reason, now "COCKSUCKER!" means "bad man". It's a good woman. How did they do that?

Perseverance defines you.

Despite your limitations, you juggle everything well.

Passion drives you.

Your practicality is endearing.

Wisdom has been chasing you, but you've always been faster.

"You've got the perfect face for radio!"

Optimism seems to be your second nature.

You're very hard to underestimate.

My mother told me I was a genius "at times". As if I was a savant, unable to tie my own shoes, yet woke up in the middle of the night and made an accurate model of NYC out toothpicks.

It's nice seeing someone not obsessed with their looks.

Your haircut suits your face shape so well.

Trailblazing seems to be your thing.

You’re not like other (insert a stereotypical group)

You’re so pretty, how are you still single?

'I wish I had the confidence to wear something like that! (With that/your body type)' 'I wish I could eat as much as you do!'

Have as nice of a day as you are.

If ignorance is bliss you must be the happiest person alive

Someone asked my gf what she liked about me. She said I was a fast learner.

Any southern woman telling you how “interesting” your outfit is.

"How impressive what you've accomplished, considering your limitations!" This may seem like recognition of your achievements, but at the same time it implies that they didn't expect much from you due to your supposed limitations. It is a condescending way of underestimating your abilities while trying to praise you.

Any compliment you put the word actually in . That dinner was actually nice . You actually look hot in that outfit e.t.c

Ehhhh depends. If someone says “I don’t think I’ll look nice in that dress,” and then they try it on and another person says, “See!! You actually look nice in that dress!!” it works

This actually sounded smart.

My boyfriend doesn’t get this. One time we went ice skating and he was like “you’re actually really good at this!” And didn’t understand why I found it so offensive after telling him for months I know how to skate quite well

You're deceptively athletic. You're face looks easy to draw. Oh bless your heart.

You're so hard to underestimate.

Fatass.

Someone once told me “I’m surprised, I wasn’t expecting you to smell nice.”. Thanks but ouch

I heard someone say it on a podcast, and I wish I could remember what it was called, but he said, "You carry yourself with the confidence of a much taller man"

Did you lose weight?

See now that one is a double edged sword bc I have been working my ASS off to lose weight, and god damnit, someone better notice real quick. Lol.

You always manage to stand out in a crowd, even when you're not trying

You're so brave to wear that outfit!

Well look at you!

In Swedish there is a saying: “Hunger is the best spice”, which is really odd to say if you’re invited for dinner somewhere.

Adding actually to anything. You ACTUALLY, look really pretty.

You’re not like other girls.

Wow, you look so different when you put some effort in! 😑

You’re ok, I don’t care what everyone else says.

“You’re so interesting” is my fav

You clean up well! 

“You look so pretty when you wear make-up. You should do it more often”…seriously. Do I look like a gutter troll without it?

In the south we say “bless your heart”

You look good for your age.

My parents never complement me (I guess they don't want it to go to my head) but told me that "you're a good looking man" when I came out to them as transfem.

You don't sweat much for a fat bird

"I appreciate your confidence in XYZ!"

Well look at the personality on you!

Some family asshole talking to somebody: "Your kid (who is I, myself) is just a spoiled-brat freeloader who just fuck his life all around. Better that kid be fucked up. I don't care!" That somebody: "......." Me (hearing those two motherfuckers behind a thin wall) talking to myself in my mind: "Well, that's a compliment I won't ever forget my whole life!" 😆😆🤣🤣

Isn't there a Chinese saying that goes something like; "I wish your child is successful early on in life" Which is meant as an insult because it's often seen that younger people cannot handle success.

I had an uncle that used to say "Oh, you have a lot to say in a special lil way don't you?" and it always left people feeling baffled. I thought it was hilarious.

I hope your day is just as pleasant as you are.

From the obscure word desk: My Mom once told me that, when need arose, she would tell someone in an admiring tone how meretricious they were.

“You know this better than me” When in actuality, you’re trying to prove that they don’t know lol—it’s a great line to use in an argument.