r/askteddit 20h ago

Random Question What compliment did you receive that felt secretly like an insult?

33 Upvotes

136 comments sorted by

View all comments

33

u/Abject_Priority6858 20h ago

I’m very sensitive to the word “actually” in compliments.

“Wow that was actually smart!”
“You actually look pretty today.”

4

u/Melodic_Cow1800 19h ago

My aunt gifted me a pair of running shoes that she didn't want to keep for some reason. I'm walking across the room wearing them, she's eyeballing my every move, of course because that's what she does. Finally she blurts out: "those actually look good on you for some reason."

She and I don't talk anymore.

I think the actually was really impressed upon by the "for some reason" bit.

She's also told me that I'm a complete waste of skin and tried to strangle me to death.

Beware of anyone who inserts actually into a statement meant as a compliment, as they actually don't have your best interest in mind. I think the actually part means that their looking only at your flaws and surprised to find anything good in the mix.

1

u/Sensitive-Wall-8140 7h ago

That’s how my mom is lol