This has happened to all of us: A friend or stranger makes a fleeting comment, and we never, ever forget it. Sometimes these are compliments, often they’re insults (or back-handed compliments), but here are the lines our listeners vividly remember:
When I was in middle school, my vice principal shushed the entire cafeteria, singled me out & said, “Did your mommy buy you mascara for Christmas & you decided to wear it all in one day?” BRUTAL! I’m 48 now! & still careful of how much mascara I apply! Lol!
A boyfriend told me I was a Ruxton 7, but an Essex 10! I want to move!!
I have always been tall and long pants were hard to come by when I was growing up. I was always self conscious.I finally tried capris in my 30s. It was weird. I felt like I just looked like I had high water pants. Never again.
In middle school I was called Babe the Big Blue Ox and at 47 I still have horrible body image.
Best compliment: a customer once told be I smelled so good he could eat me up. (I was young & used bath and body works lotion. Goal achieved) Worst: I was in 6th grade and I guy I liked said if I was thinner I would be pretty.
A girl in my high school English class said she and her friends decided i was the perfect person because I was smart, funny and nice to everyone. I’ll never forget that.
When I was about 12 I had bad acne and i went to my cousins and my 8 year old cousin asked me why I had so many red dots on my face.
Years ago I was in the car with my mother she told me that she sees me marrying someone much older than I am. I am now 42 engaged to a man who is 50 and she was right
I had a friend tell me 15 years ago that I don’t look friendly or approachable. Ever since, I genuinely smile at everyone and greet everyone.
Asked a kid on the L in Chicago for directions. Talked for 20 min until my stop- as I was leaving he said I restored his faith in humanity – really caught me off guard but it has stuck with me for almost 30 years.
I was told, you are really pretty but if you lost weight you would be beautiful. That has stuck with me for over 25 years
25 Yrs ago on a Monday the security guard said, “Good Evening.” I said, “Can’t wait until Friday.” He said, “Don’t wish time away you never know what you might be missing.” It really resonated and changed my thinking.
ŸWhen I was in sixth grade, I had a crush on an older boy. He said that maybe he would like me too, but I always looked down and away when I passed him in the hall since I was pretty shy. Fifteen years later I still make sure that I look up whenever I’m walking anywhere, look people in the eye and smile. Good life lesson I guess, but I still think about it!
After I testified for a defendant in a trial, a young woman law clerk told me I had a wonderful aura. Blew me away. The best compliment I have ever received.
I was suppose to go to the beach with my best friend and her husband and she called me the day before and told me she didn’t want me to go because of my weight, and they didn’t want to be embarrassed. To this day day it sticks with me when I wear a bathing suit
While eating lunch at work one day a coworker came in sat down beside me look at my food and said did the cat throw up?! I was livid!
When I worked at a hotel, a guest told me that I had very good diction for someone who lives in Baltimore.
My mother in law once said to my husband when we were dating that I was “the kind of girl who would have to pay for her own wedding”. Not even sure what that’s supposed to mean but it definitely wasn’t a compliment.
I got acne at an early age. Was wearing a Roxy shirt to school one day. Little 10 year old called, “Oxy” the rest of the year. To this day I still have no self confidence and think I am terrible looking
A little girl in Disney World once ran up to me and told me she liked my bow. Most random cutest comment ever I wear the bandanna and think of her every time.
I’ve had two people tell me I look like Fabio with my hair down. I’m a girl so I never wear it down
410-440-xxxxan hour ago
,Things you don’t forget: a theater director in high school told me I could never play a lead role because I have a “matronly” figure (read not thin). I went on to have several leads in college (they were all older women, so I guess she was only partly wrong)
It’s sad that the things that stick with us are the negative (or that they are the easiest to recall). I remember a lady said my hair looked like a rat’s nest during my son’s winter concert. I know people have complimented my hair, but I remember her exact hurtful words. So, today, maybe all your listeners can give one positive comment to one person today, knowing the hurtful ones scar.
I got made fun of for high water pants in middle school. I’m 34 and still can’t wear pants that don’t touch my heel. Took me years after high school to even be comfortable in Capris.
I think these stories should make people think and remember just how words have a lasting effect on something. Everyone should think before they speak!
I still remember the little boy who called me Copper Top in second grade. That was the only time I’ve ever been made fun of for being a ginger.
I have big lips and someone told me I always look like I’m blowing kisses.
I had a doctor tell me that I had hips made for birthing babies
“Your laugh reminds me of maple syrup.”
When I was in second grade, I was cleaning off the art table and this boy said that I’d make a good housewife!
I remember when I was younger my sister told me that I look better with makeup than without.
When I was 21 I smiled at the guy sitting next to me at a bar and he said ‘don’t loose any sleep’. Still hurts decades later.
My best friend and my ex mother-in-law have said that they love going out in public with me because I am able to talk to anybody. I’ve been told I’ve never met a stranger
My boyfriend at the time said I love you I’m just not IN love with you. It devastated me at the time but now we’ve been married 22 years!
One time about 15 years ago A coworker made fun of my peanut butter and jelly sandwich, telling me that it looked like a “sad sandwich” because it didn’t have enough jelly. I think about that every time I make PBJs.
My partner once called me tone deaf like 3 years ago… I still won’t sing in front of him.
We bought our first house and my wife’s brother came over for the first time and said “wow! this place is a real dump!”
Friend said I don’t look good in pink in 6th grade, I’m now 26 and still never wear pink.
In middle school someone said, “Carrie got them big ol hips” and I’ve been insecure since.