I may need to say something that is (seemingly) nice about someone, but I’d prefer it be very subtly backhanded or nearly believable hyperbole.
Edit: I realized that I was imagining something like how the Colbert Report was done where it’s easy to believe I’m agreeing when really I’m spoofing.
“I hope the rest of your day is as pleasant as you are”
The series Ted Lasso is chock full of these, but my favorite was after Jade meets Rupert and he leaves, she says, “Well, he seems rich.”
Like it almost sounds like a compliment, but only if you lack the self-awareness and empathy of someone who isn’t rich.
The only one I’ve ever pulled off on the spur of a moment unintentionally is when my asshole stepdad broke his foot and I ended up casually quipping to him, “you gotta work hard in order to get a leg up in the world”.
I also just remembered that I later told him he’s got to put his foot down on some issue his job was complaining about.
“Wow you look good today.”
I had someone tell a coworker “you look better” when he was trying to give a compliment, and it came out so uncomplimentary we were all laughing when he left.
It may be backhanded or not
I think it’s backhanded because it implies that the person doesn’t usually look good any other day.
Well, not terribly subtle, but if you are fighting with your spouse and they complain that you never say anything nice about their family, you can respond with:
“Well, I have to say that your in-laws are better than my in-laws”
“I love that you’re not afraid to say just whatever comes to you.”
See you later!
Not if I see you first.
One I came across in a novel I’m reading just now: “I wanted to tell her how happy she must be as a married woman now that she no longer have to bother with looking attractive”.
The ol uncle Iroh
“Wisdom has been chasing you all your life but you have always been faster”
Bad sarcasm me and my friends do
Any response to “ive been thinking” that is shocked. Like “Wow. And?” Or “good for you”
or any form of “yeah, youre getting there”
Basically rember that perfection is impossible and that comparison is the thief of joy but be a dick lol
Any response to “ive been thinking”
I usually quickly respond “you okay?” in a concerned tone.
“I never thought of it that way.”
“That’s a new perspective.”
“I love your confidence!”
My dog would like you.
I like to say “don’t flatter yourself” when somebody says something self-demeaning
This could be one: https://lemmy.world/post/36281961
