The Absolute Weirdest Compliments People Have Ever Received
Reddit user callmejari asked: 'What's the weirdest compliment you have received?'
Giving compliments is pretty easy, although most of us don't do it often enough.
Accepting compliments can be much harder.
Too many of us immediately shift into disclaimers to explain why we don't deserve the praise.
But we just need to say thank you—even if the compliment is a little odd.
Reddit user callmejari asked:
"What's the weirdest compliment you have received?"
Zzzzz...
"Someone once told me that my voice was so soothing, it could put a crying baby sloth to sleep."
~ Marena-Cris-18
GiphyWhat About My Sneeze?
"'Your cough sounds nice' Was just a random girl on the train."
"Still throws me off 2 years later."
~ ThatGothDinosaur
GiphyHope It’s Not SpongeBob
"A 5-year-old kid told me he liked me because I looked like a cartoon."
~ Sea_Ganache620
GiphyUnfulfilled Potential
"I have nice wide birthing hips."
"I'm a guy."
~ kudzufarmer
"You got the foundation for it, you're just missing the plumbing."
~ ARoundForEveryone
GiphyWrong Hemisphere, But Thanks
"When I was 16 working the drive thru—'You’re the prettiest Arabic girl I’ve ever seen'."
"I’m Mexican. But thank you ma’am."
~ 3sp00py5me
GiphyWas His Name Vlad?
"'You've got beautiful veins'."
"By the guy that injected my contrast before an MRI."
~ Reblax837
Werner Herzog Halloween GIF by Arrow VideoGiphyIt Keeps My Teeth In Place
"Some random NYC man told me I had a nice chin once. I still think about him."
~ pssht07070707
GiphyNever Skip Leg Day
"I was told by a woman walking behind me on stairs that I had great calves."
"It was kind of weird at the time."
~ Sider-Pride
Not The BBQ Ones
"'I like your ribs'."
"From random girl at a pool party during a music festival."
~ Particular-Natural12
GiphyCleaning Up On Aisle 5
"I delivered bread to grocery stores in the 90’s and when I decided to change routes, the young lady who had always checked me in told me she’d really miss the sound of my voice."
~ OGGBTFRND
GiphyBloody Offal
"One time I was at the doctor for some lower back pain getting an ultra sound and the tech looked me dead in the eye and said 'You have really nice kidneys. They're very plump.'"
"Best strange compliment I ever received."
~ FlashRage
A compliment is a compliment, right?
What's the weirdest compliment you've received?
Aww, Thanks: People Reveal Which Compliments Will Stay With Them Forever
Reddit user Bacibaby asked: 'What is a compliment you will remember till you die?'
When you're not particularly having a good day, the smallest compliment goes a long way.
All it takes is for someone to acknowledge your new hairstyle or say something nice about your outfit for the day that can be the biggest mood booster.
It doesn't have to be a big overture or a dramatic declaration, but it's nice to be noticed, isn't it?
Curious to hear examples of how someone made their day, Redditor Bacibaby asked:
"What is a compliment you will remember till you die?"
Some people are affable but aren't aware of how much they're appreciated for it.
A Bright Light In The World
"Someone once told me: 'It's so easy introducing you to people, you make everyone feel like you're their best friend."'
"Have held onto that for over ten years, still helps to remember when I'm not at my best."
– DashFromtheGash
Genuinely Popular
"I feel this. Last year I ran into some people I graduated high school with. A few of them were super popular during that time. One of them said 'Dude, everyone loved you in high school. I don't think there was anyone else that was able to be such good friends with so many different people and be in so many different cliques.' "
"It felt like such a genuine statement. They didn't have to say that. I've thought about it almost every day since because, to my recollection, high school was rough on me."
– sonofab*tchXmustXpay
Highly Respected
"Jeez, years ago I was at a party sometime after I graduated high school. There was a kid there who I had had a few classes with throughout the years and I always spoke to him casually like I would with anyone, but we weren't close friends or anything. He had clearly been drinking a bit because he was pretty animated and talkative and this kid usually kept to himself. Quiet is an understatement."
"He approached me and said 'Toh, I have never told you this, but I have always thought highly of you. Back in middle school there were kids making fun of the janitor and you told them all off. You told them he was working hard and there is nothing funny or to be looked down upon about taking pride in your work, no matter what you do.'"
"It almost made me tear up. I had no recollection of this moment he was talking about, but I knew I must have done it because my words in that memory of his were my father's. My parents both always hammered it into me to be a person of dignity, integrity and character. Middle school was a really tough time for me. I was bullied relentlessly. Knowing that there was someone out there who admired me during that time healed a part of little me."
– TopangaTohToh
It may be vain but getting noticed in the looks department is not such a bad thing.
Women Loving Other Women
"I was in my early 20s and I went out on the town with some girlfriends. I wore an outfit that was way out of my comfort zone. It was a black short skirt (I always wear pants) that flared out with a matching top. It showed a bit of midriff and I was self conscious."
"Before we even got into the bar, we ran into a couple of girls we didn’t know outside. I remember the one girl did a double take and just started freaking out. She went on and on and told me how gorgeous I looked and how amazing my outfit was. She had obviously been drinking, but it didn’t matter. She changed my whole night around and I suddenly felt like the hottest girl on the planet. I still remember her voice when I’m trying to pump myself up in the morning."
"I love women who love women."
– littlepinch7
Being Noticed
"Nothing feels better than when a pretty/well-dressed woman compliments you or your outfit 🥲 Every single time a gorgeous girl has called me 'pretty' or complimented me lives rent-free in my head."
– tigerribs
Train Station Affirmation
"After a concert I was on my way home with the train. I also wore an outfit out of my comfort zone, but I challenged myself. At the train station I walked passed to girl(who was drunk) and one said to the other 'omg did you se how beautiful she was?!' There was only me and them. She made my day."
– MinellaRibert
Noticed By An Older Generation
"A lovely elderly lady stopped mid sentence to say 'you have got the kindest eyes.' "
– F'kMe-F'kYou
"Old ladies are the best."
– OP
"Their honesty is only matched by that of a small child."
"In between those, things get kinda weird."
– F'kMe-F'kYou
Things get a little surprising.
In The Heat Of The Moment
"When I was like 19 I had an ex who had a history of abuse. We were arguing about something (I can't remember what about) but we were both shouting at each other. Then suddenly she broke down crying and started hugging me."
"Very confused I let the moment pass until she could speak and the compliment she paid me was 'Even when you're angry at me, I'm not scared of you.' "
– KingDebone
Owning The Big Legs
"I'm tall, heavy, and plain, and have been lucky enough to avoid getting catcalled for most of my life. But one time when I was in my 20s, biking to work in DC, this little old man on a street corner did a double take as I went by, pounding away at the pedals. 'Mighty big leeeeeeeeggggs!' he hollered, whether in appreciation or astonishment I couldn't tell."
"Now whether I'm struggling to get the bike up a hill, or just feeling down on my body, I'll say to myself 'mighty big leeeeeeeeggggs!' and feel that little extra boost. They are mighty big legs, and I am grateful both to and for them!"
– ReadTheIron
Father Knows Best
"I don't know if it counts but my dad once said 'i don't say it enough, but i'm really proud of you'."
"Which was the only time he ever said it, but it meant a lot."
– justregularoleme
The next time you internally think someone you know is looking particularly good on any given day or demonstrated something you were impressed by, you should tell them how you feel.
We often have these inner monologues that we casually dismiss because we can't be bothered, which is silly because it doesn't take much effort to verbalize them.
If it's positive, we should give voice to our thoughts.
Who knows? A compliment that you think is nothing can really brighten a person's day when they're otherwise feeling very glum, and you'd be responsible for making them feel extra special and seen.
Hilarious Insults That Actually Sound Like Compliments At First
Who doesn't enjoy a compliment every now and then?
But have you ever thought you were complimented only to realize you've just been insulted?
For some people those backhanded compliments are unintentional, for some they're very much deliberate and for some people it's actually their love language.
Whatever the purpose, some of these veiled insults are downright clever.
Redditor Ad3quat3 asked:
"What’s an insult that sounds like a compliment?"
Ah, family...
"My uncle once said to me 'Nice tattoo, did you do it yourself?'."
"It's on my back."
- mikkelfromthegalaxy
GiphyWhat do I usually look like?
"You clean up well."
"Wasn't sure if compliment or insult or even how to respond."
Lord, it's hard to be humble.
"You are very modest and have much to be modest about."
- Gitaarfreak
Who else?
"Did you REALLY do that?"
- justthatrandomartist
Stay home next time.
"Thanks for coming!"
"You know, you really didn’t have to.”
- Little_LexiYT1
GiphyHow highly?
"No one could possibly think more highly of you than I do."
- sandyposs
Who cares?
"I love how you just don't care how you look."
"I could never do that I'd feel too awkward."
- meme_squeeze
GiphyDepends on the person, right?
"I hope your day is as good as you look!"
- tantoB
"I hope you get what you deserve."
- majesthiccbb
"May your day be as sweet as you are."
- twitterpated202
While some may consider it passive-aggressive, others just find these insults funny and clever.
So what's your favorite complimentary insult?
I was once sitting around, minding my own business, when a customer––this was back when I used to work in retail––informed me that I had amazing fashion sense. That was nice. They then told me it looked like I "knew how to dress myself cheaply" which was true, just not necessarily so for the outfit I was wearing at the time.
How should I have taken that? I still don't know, but this person was certainly insistent on letting me know, beckoning me to listen from the top of the ladder I stood on at the time.
I'm far from the only person to receive a weird compliment though.
People shared their stories with us after a Redditor asked the online community:
"What's the weirdest compliment you've ever been given?"
Oh?
"You have a really amazing posture!" by some random woman in an elevator at work a few years ago."
BigBearSD
That's not bad! Time and place though... time and place.
"I had pink eye..."
"I had pink eye and the nurse was looking into the non infected eye. "You have beautiful retinas." Thank you...?"
[deleted]
If you manage to have beautiful retinas even while dealing with pink eye, you deserve all the props.
"My four-year-old son..."
"My four-year-old son told me I smelled like music. When I asked what kind of music he said “music you dance to”. Still the best compliment I have received to date!"
sdurb
This is precious and it undoubtedly made your day!
"16 years later..."
"My high school best friend gave me the best compliment I have ever gotten, and I've never heard that phrasing anywhere else."
"When I first met you I thought you were like a shiny red apple, and I expected to be disappointed by a beige inside. But you are as bright and colourful all the way through."
"16 years later, I still remember that. (We are still friends.)"
ipakookapi
Very glad to hear that your friendship has endured. This is lovely.
"One of my best friends..."
"My friends and I were talking about what kind of potatoes we'd be. One of my best friends told me "You'd be a loaded baked potato. People pay extra for that good s**t."
silvermoonchan
Now that's a friend! And this is the perfect material for a Buzzfeed quiz.
"I'm not sure..."
"I'm not sure it was a compliment but I had a cashier at Walgreens tell me (at like 1am) that I had the facial structure of a Druid."
somemetausername
I'm not too sure either but you might as well roll with it.
"I still don't know..."
"You're like a crow swimming in milk."
"I still don't know what they meant."
Rolypolyoly1877
I'm not even going to try to figure this one out. Good for you, I guess?
"Used to work retail..."
"Used to work retail and my voice is surprisingly deep for my looks. Customer once explained it saying that I "sounded like I've been drinking whiskey since I was born."
Diddyfire
Maybe you have! Is there something you'd like to share with us?
"Doctor told me..."
"Doctor told me my inner ear structure looked exactly like the ones in the medical textbook. So I guess I've got that going for me."
Go you! Your doctor probably geeked out.
"I was playing in a badminton tournament..."
"I was playing in a badminton tournament and had a woman thirty years my senior come up and tell me that I have perfect eyebrows (I'm a dude). Apparently she was a professional make up artist and had an eye for such things."
SMRPDX
You might as well own it!
Some of these are actually nice... though I still don't know what in the world that person meant about a crow swimming in milk.
Have stories of your own? Tell us more in the comments below!
People Share The Most Uncomfortable Compliments They've Ever Received
Ever been in a position where you received a compliment... and didn't know what to say? It happens to the best of us. Not everyone takes compliments well.
But there are compliments and then there are... well, compliments that make you uncomfortable. Let's just say that some things just shouldn't be said. Inappropriate behavior is rampant and people's boundaries are ignored. That's not all the time, mind you, because some of these situations are rather humorous, but it is true much of the time.
People shared their experiences after Redditor Foolbasket asked the online community,
"What's the most uncomfortable compliment you've ever received?"
"I took my cat..."
"I took my cat to the vet and he says 'She has great anal tension!' as we're both struggling to get her temperature taken. To which I said, 'Thanks!'"
"I don't think it was a compliment but I cringe every time I remember it. Mostly because of my idiotic 'Thanks!'"
pupperfysh
If only your cat could accept compliments!
"Coworker looked at my children..."
"Coworker looked at my children, then me and said I must have a really attractive wife."
shoopshoop87
Oh dear... well that's very, very rude.
Ouch.
"I was a 14 year old girl in a basement with a 50+ year old man who told me I look "pretty, young and fresh."
[deleted]
Nooo.
Hopefully you ran far, far away.
"Was told that..."
"'I'd sleep with you if you were a girl.' Was told that on two separate occasions, by someone more senior than me at my last job."
Adub91
Sounds like you left that job – sexual harassment is never okay.
"From the dude..."
"'That's a nice watch.' From the dude at the next urinal. Honestly, it was so funny I've used it myself since just to mess with people."
nuboots
Honestly, I agree. This is a great way to psych someone out.
"Said to me..."
"'I always hoped Sarah would marry you.' Said to me by Sarah's mom. At her wedding to my good friend. Who happened to be standing next to me."
10tpeg
Noooo.
Talk about awkward!
"The first time..."
"The first time my mother in law saw me in a bikini she said, 'I knew my son would end up with a woman like you by the way he breastfed.'"
"It was uncomfortable."
ProductiveFidgeter24
Oh dear... now I feel sorry for your inbox. The creepy messages you must have received...
"It was a drunk text..."
"I want to have sex with your brain's d*ck." It was a drunk text and kind of flattering, but also the weirdest compliment I've been given."
carnivorouspickle
This IS somewhat flattering... but the execution could have been much, much better.
"One customer once told me..."
"One customer once told me I looked 15 and then proceeded to ask for my number while I was ringing up his items. He kept on with this for several days by telling me stuff like how I looked pretty or complimenting my hair. He was well into his 40s."
daymanAhhahahaha
I worked as a cashier years ago and had a customer like this. It was not pretty (and he went through my line more than once).
"This was in high school..."
"This was in high school, but a female friend of mine told me I had nice genes. I was wearing sweats at the time, and was confused because I thought she said jeans."
"She clarified saying she meant my hair and skin color. I awkwardly said thanks and to top it off, she said “One day, I want to adopt a small little Asian girl who looks just like you.”
omfgitsmal
Nooooo.
Why do people say stuff like this?? WHY??
They say that if you don't have anything nice to say, then you probably shouldn't say it at all. But then there are times when you should probably just... not say anything EVER. For the good of mankind.
Have some stories of your own? Feel free to tell us more in the comments below!
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