Some of the compliments that women get are less of an opportunity to say “Aww, thanks,” and more a chance to respond, “What did you say to me?” And most of the time, people mean well when they say them. Here are ten compliments that women are tired of pretending to like, for one reason or another. What’s a bad compliment you’ve heard too many times?
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You’re such a strong woman
After a woman shares something personal or difficult, you might want to say something like this to her. That’d be a bad idea. It sometimes comes across as a little condescending, or at least that you’re assuming things about her. Some women just need to be heard at times instead of being labeled as strong. That’s all.
You’re so lucky you don’t gain weight
In theory, this should sound positive, but in reality, it’s anything but. Some women have health issues going on & they might be dealing with things that you can’t see. Either way, this sentence reduces everything about a woman to her size. It’s not exactly fun to smile through that. So stop saying it. For real.
You’ve aged so well
At first, hearing this one sounds sweet, yet then the truth of what they’ve said settles in. Why is aging something you have to do gracefully? Unfortunately, people don’t say this to men, and it’s a statement that suggests that you thought a woman was going to fall apart. But they didn’t. What a surprise.
You’re such a great mom, I don’t know how you do it
Most moms have heard this line one too many times. It’s usually when they look at least halfway decent while they’re juggling snacks & school bags. Even though it’s meant to be nice, the timing of when some people say it suggests that the bar is shockingly low, or that burnout is the default option for moms. That’s pretty loaded. And unfair.
You should smile more
This one’s a classic that almost every woman has heard on the street & at work. Maybe even from relatives. Whatever the occasion, it’s a comment that’s only nice in theory because it makes people feel like you’re policing them. But nobody walks around grinning 24/7, as that’s not how faces work. It’s okay to frown.
You’re not like other girls
Hearing this one is annoying because it suggests that being different from other women is some sort of compliment. It’s supposed to sound like praise. But it just insults every girl out there, and nobody wants to feel like they’re stepping on other people. It’s awkward. And honestly, kinda lazy.
You’re one of the guys
This sentence is just as harmful, as it’s meant to imply a woman is somehow better because she acts a certain way. And, apparently, she’s not feminine enough. It suggests that women should behave a certain way to be accepted, but that’s just a checklist. Give women a break.
You’re so good at this, for a woman
Putting “for a woman” at the end of a sentence ruins what could’ve been a really nice compliment. Some people include it because they think it makes it sound better. But really, it just makes everything worse, because why not just say that someone’s good at something? How unnecessary.
You’re too pretty to be single
Really, this kind of compliment suggests that relationships are awarded based on your cheekbones. It makes it seem like being single is a mistake. It’s not. And, radical idea, but some women like being single & wouldn’t want to have it any other way. What a crazy thought.
I love how you don’t wear makeup
How do you know a woman isn’t actually wearing makeup? The truth is, many women know how to make themselves look natural, and while this ‘compliment’ sounds harmless, it’s actually quite judgmental. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying makeup & we should let women do what they want, just like anybody else. Seriously. Is that so hard?
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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