Insulting compliments

[channlluv]

When people whiz by me and call out "Good job!" I'm grateful someone so much fitter took the time to share the joy in my direction. I take it as encouraging.

I also call out things like "Good job!" or "You're doing awesome!" to people who are doing far better than I. I always figured everyone likes a little acknowledgment of a great effort. After reading some of the posts...maybe not.

Roxy

[Maxxxie]

When it comes to backhanded compliments, the best ones are from family members.

My mother and I were riding our bikes. Mum is an ex-triathlete, someone who was at one time ranked third in the country in her age group. I, on the other hand, was (at the time) the quintessential sloth: a computer nerd whose life consists of sitting in a chair. I was about 20Kg overweight at the time.

My mother, impressed by my ability to push hard without breaking a sweat said: "You have really strong legs! But I shouldn't be surprised. Really fat people always have strong legs. It comes from hauling around all that extra fat, you know."

Uhh, gee, thanks mum.

Here's another one, not biking-related:
This one's from my father. I had recently attained my MCSE certification, and had been working five or six years in the IT industry. After ringing me for some technical support, and me talking him through whatever the hell it was he was needing tech support for, dad said to me, "I'm so proud of you, I never in my wildest dreams thought you'd ever become an expert in something!".

Umm, gee, thanks dad.

Max

[pinkbikes]

When it comes to backhanded compliments, the best ones are from family members.

My mother and I were riding our bikes. Mum is an ex-triathlete, someone who was at one time ranked third in the country in her age group. I, on the other hand, was (at the time) the quintessential sloth: a computer nerd whose life consists of sitting in a chair. I was about 20Kg overweight at the time.

My mother, impressed by my ability to push hard without breaking a sweat said: "You have really strong legs! But I shouldn't be surprised. Really fat people always have strong legs. It comes from hauling around all that extra fat, you know."

Uhh, gee, thanks mum.

Here's another one, not biking-related:
This one's from my father. I had recently attained my MCSE certification, and had been working five or six years in the IT industry. After ringing me for some technical support, and me talking him through whatever the hell it was he was needing tech support for, dad said to me, "I'm so proud of you, I never in my wildest dreams thought you'd ever become an expert in something!".

Umm, gee, thanks dad.

Max

Ah Maxxxie - laughing so hard it brings tears to the eyes! Parents - if we didn't love em we'd kill em!

[lauraelmore1033]

oh, don't get me started on the parental insult, non compliment!!!