Backhanded Compliments

AKA . . . Things people say out loud and in public that you have to smile and pretend to take as a compliment but really it wasn't meant to be a compliment.

Italicized beside each comment is my thought on what the true meaning of the comment is . . .

• He is ALL boy!
• He is SOOO busy!
• I bet they keep you running, don't they? These all mean the same thing. Your kid is nuts. He's loud, runs around like an animal, and I'm trying to think of something nice to say about him even though I'm tempted to scream at him begging for silence right this very minute.
• Well, you know they asked me to do ______ job and I just wouldn't do it, but I'm so glad you took it on. I am of such greater importance than you that they asked me to do _______ before you and you'd better not forget it.
• You are doing a great job, considering the circumstances. You pretty much suck, but I'm glad you are doing it and not me.
• You've got book smarts and that's what really counts. You idiot. You might can configure a nuclear weapon but in real life you are a MORON!
• I was worried that you might have taken on too much responsibilty. I TOLD YOU SO! You can't do nuthin'.
• Oh yes, you have definitely improved since you two got married. You were absolutely intolerable before and now you're just barely so.
• You look great! Who's funeral are we going to? You look like we're going to a funeral.

Come on, let me hear some of your best!

I couldn't resist posting this picture of my child after he won his first "official" trophy. He won 4th place for design in our church's Pinewood Derby Grand Prix!