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7+ Back-Handed “Compliments” That Are Actually Insults

PomeroySays
2 min readNov 5, 2024

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The Midwest is the queen of nice, and passive aggression. And one thing Midwest women especially specialize in is back-handed compliments.

Back-handed compliments are when someone doesn’t like you. For me, that is my mother-in-law.

Here are some of what I have heard out of her mouth for 25 years:

1. This is a great photo of you!

Ummm….thanks? Do I normally look bad?

2. You’re not as dumb as you look.

Thanks, you aren’t either?

3. You’re on time, big surprise!

I tend to not be on time and everyone knows this. But I hate being called out for being late.

4. Your house feels so cozy and lived in.

This must be the supreme back-handed compliment.

5. You clean up nice.

So I normally look like crap?

6. You’re such a good driver!

Because normally women are bad drivers??!!

7. You’re coping with this better than I ever thought you would!

Umm…because normally I would have freaked out? Thanks for the vote of confidence!

8. You look great for your age!

Because normally a 40 something should have a walker and grey hair?

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PomeroySays
PomeroySays

Written by PomeroySays

New England born- now living in the Midwest. Blogger, author, influencer, and history addict. Say hi on KoFi- https://ko-fi.com/pomeroysays/

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