Sometimes when you hear them you are not sure whether someone has insulted you or not. I am a native English speaker and once when I was speaking English in Sweden someone told me I was ‘marginally bilingual’.
Subtle Curses
- May you live in interesting times
- May you come to the attention of important people
- May you get everything you ask for/deserve
- May you have the life you deserve
- I just wanted to say good luck. We are all counting on you
Backhanded Compliments
- I always come to appreciate what I have more after talking to you
- I love that you don’t care what other people think
- I admire your choice of attire! It truly speaks for your carefree attitude
- I always feel more intelligent after talking to you
- You seem to be just as intelligent as you are handsome/beautiful
- How fun! I envy your courage
- Apologies, do you mind if I move to your other side? I need to get the sun in my eyes
- It’s really difficult to underestimate you
- You look really nice in this light
- oh my, this is so rustic
- That’s a beautiful photo of you. I didn’t recognise you at first