Follow
Twitterfollowp3
Facebookfollowp3
Tumblrfollowp3
Backhanded Compliments

Comments

Or post a comment using your Facebook account
maggiemay
maggiemay on November 17
i get alot of these around campus and school, the criticism hurts but it's great to read your article adressing this. it's great to come to chictopia, to people who feel the same. great inspirational post Emma x
kirstielove
kirstielove on November 15
I definitely love post with substance. I try my hardest to inspire those in what I write but I feel like that has yet to happen. This is so true, I dont know how many times someone has complimented an outfit im wearing like this. I used to take it to heart but now im getting over it. thank you for your amazing words.
barkatt
barkatt on November 11
Thank you for writing this, I really needed to read something like this now ! I have this backhanding visitor on my blog, and I just feel awful when reading his comments.
goldentheponyboy
goldentheponyboy on November 10
as for the backhanded compliments the best way to react i think is a smile to these people a smile of happiness and fullfillness because that's something that an evil person can't handle!
goldentheponyboy
goldentheponyboy on November 10
you are cute from head to toe i love your cute hair styling!!
dmk
dmk on November 07
i love it!!! simplicity and originality!!!
Aphrodite
Aphrodite on November 03
I remember writing about how great this site is, i still feel that. i dedicate hours and hours everyday to this site, i used to have coffee and cigarette right after i wake up, now i have chictopia for breakfast. I abandoned my Myspace and facebook etc for Chictopia, i still have faith in this site even if there are bad neighbors. And about ur top, i have it in 3 colors!!! =)
NinxVengco
NinxVengco on November 03
I just received one recently: "Is this your fave top? Oh well..." Hahahaha! So funny! As if you can't repeat your own clothes. I'm not a queen. And you said it really well: they're just JEALOUS.
cocosnuss
cocosnuss on November 03
normally i don't like cropped tops, but it looks really cool and certainly not pregnant on you! and i really don't mean it like a backhanded compliment :) anyway: i like this post, it's an issue we all had to deal with i'm sure.
Haylilly
Haylilly on November 03
great post, very insightful!
LAURAMATEOS
LAURAMATEOS on November 03
You inspired me!
Annachiara
Annachiara on November 03
wonderfull!!!!!!!!
styleaddicted
styleaddicted on November 03
certainly NOT pregnant looking. only fabulous!
viffy
viffy on November 02
love it !
joannaladrido
joannaladrido on November 02
adding to faves this look! its soooo amazing!!!!
jazzyhwang
jazzyhwang on November 02
great post!! you write so well! i especially love the part about washing out the bad taste with ice cream rather than toothpaste. gorgeous look, as always :)
melongirl13
melongirl13 on November 02
Thanks for addressing this! I've received my share of these backhanded compliments, but without knowing it, I feel like I've given out a few too on accident. Of course I never mean to hurt anyone's feelings, but sometimes I guess what I'm trying to say comes out rudely without meaning to. But thanks again for addressing this because it really makes me more aware of what I'm typing!
kurarin
kurarin on November 02
i'm sorry to hear that you were on the receiving end of this. you're quite right not to bother about these people who cannot see your intelligence and beauty for what they are.
deefined
deefined on November 02
Liz, you totally rocked that topic. We've discussed this before and I couldn't agree with you more. Well said! xx.
SaraSara
SaraSara on November 02
love your hair!!
LadySmaggle
LadySmaggle on November 02
Totally agree! Can't stand a backhander... Well said.
libys11
libys11 on November 02
ooohhh.. i get them too (not in chictopia though), but in real life.. and i try to just dont mind them!!! you're quite right in saying they're a bit bitter in giving those out. great post! i like how you're able to handle not just mere fashion photos here in chictopia, but also quality posting.. :D
Carolala
Carolala on November 02
love your hairstyle
AndJunk
AndJunk on November 02
love it
accessories - jacket - boots
H&M dress - Sacha boots - H&M tights - accessories
Charlotte Russe dress - shoes
blazer - thrifted shirt - thrifted shorts - traditional belt - shoes
Topshop shoes - Miss Selfridges jacket - Topshop top - Zara shoes
American Apparel dress - XXI blazer - Express leggings - Mossimo shoes
Style Gallery
EverybodyIsUg
Casual style, best suited for Everyday

Backhanded Compliments
Nov 02, 2009

Most of us have probably received a backhanded compliment or two even if never noticed and most of us have certainly delivered some as well. What does a backhanded compliment sound like? Well, it sounds something like this “Oh how cute, you flip through magazines for inspiration! I usually look to historic novels”, or how about this one, “I hate crop tops they’re so ugly they make people look pregnant, but it’s ok b/c you’re skinny”. Even better is this one, that I, myself, delivered to an unsuspecting friend, “Oh yeah? A trip to Costa Rica sounds great, if you like that sort of thing”. I mean really? Who doesn’t like that sort of thing? I’d give up my new Jeffrey Campbell 99 zip wedge for a trip anywhere right about now.

A backhanded compliment is nothing but a hate comment in disguise and underdeveloped. It sounds like it’s going to build you up but in the end just brings you down. It’s not an outright criticism but neither is it praise, it’s almost demeaning in it’s ambiguity. Sometimes there is nothing personally insulting in the statement itself, at times it’s even flattering, but it just doesn’t sit right. Once received, a backhanded compliment leaves a bad taste in your mouth that is easier removed with ice cream than toothpaste. An underlining tone of bitterness can be found in any backhanded compliment and at the heart of that bitterness lives jealousy. Jealousy, more often than not, is the main culprit behind mean-spirited comments and backhanded compliments. Jealousy incites the person to react, to squash their own feelings of inadequacy by pointing out the inadequacies of another. It is this jealousy that we must learn to recognize in ourselves, to avoid hurting people, and in others, to understand why they hurt us.

Here at chictopia we work very hard to create a supportive and welcoming community. We delete any and all mean, rude, or offensive comments in an effort to facilitate open discussions and constructive criticism.
I get these types of messages and comments all the time, I never take them to heart and I hope none of you do either.

Thanks for reading my mini rant,
Playingwithfire


more from EverybodyIsUgly
Copyright © 2010 Chictopia, LLC About Us Terms Privacy Policy FAQ CheriChictopia blog Goodies Advertise Site Map Favorites
Popular: Forever 21 H&M Zara vintage Target Walmart Topshop Converse Gap Aldo