Is skinny always considered a compliment?

in my experience, it depends on the context. i personally always stay away from complimenting people on their body type, but if you have a close relationship with the person that you're complimenting and you're absolutely sure of the context and situation surrounding it, then i think it can be a compliment. however, it could have negative consequences. i have struggled with disordered eating, and being called "skinny" always triggered me and encouraged me to lose more weight. in that context, it would not be a compliment. also, "skinny-shaming" is a terrible practice where, similar to fat-shaming, people shame someone for their body type, which is never a compliment.

No, skinny is not always considered a compliment, and fat isn't always considered an insult. This is because it's just weight, and weight doesn't define you, and as long as you're healthy, I feel you can be whatever weight you want. You can wear whatever you want, and you an eat whatever you want. Just as long as you're happy, and healthy, then it's all good.

Not always. For someone with an eating disorder, this can be triggering and even distressing sometimes.

In todays society, 'skinny' can be insulting as it can be related to not eating enough, ect.... I wouldnt say 'skinny' is the best way to compliment someone....

No, sometimes it may end up being taken harshly and hurt someone's feelings. Try complimenting personalities over looks.

Skinny is not always a compliment! As someone who has struggled with disordered eating, calling someone skinny is not okay. I either feel like you're lying and calling me fat, or it proves that I look good and should keep losing weight

Skinny is a word that is often used instead of words like thin, healthier, petite, fit etc. The problem is, society, the media and people in general tend to define body shapes with the usage of words such as fat, thin, big, skinny etc and over time skinny has been seen as a good thing to be, and big as something not as desirable.. But people are more than just what they may look like, and labelling people as thin, skinny, fat or big can cause a lot of problems for people who for whatever reasons are self conscious about their image, who perhaps lack self esteem or have body issues. There are those who are naturally thin, who can eat and eat and yet it makes no difference to their weight. Complimenting someone on their outer appearance ignores their inner beauty. Someone undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy was complimented on their weight loss by someone unaware of their illness and treatment and asked them how they had achieved their weight loss which was being seen as admirable. The response given was that of the chemo diet! The person who originally complimented them on being skinny was shocked by the response and realised the stupidity and naivety of their 'compliment'. People also when suffering with depression or grief will often stop eating out of the emotional distress they are in, so would someone knowing that, go onto compliment them on looking skinny, surely the emotional distress someone is in would take precedence over the appearance of that individual. Too many people both male and female have suffered over many years with eating disorders and struggle with their obsession on body image, body anxiety, self image/self esteem issues and some develop body dysmorphia and for some they will resort to cosmetic surgery to correct the defect as they see it. People are not just bodies to be labelled as skinny or fat, they are not just bodies to be looked at, judged, and constantly in need of fixing or changing. Skinny does not always equate to being a compliment even though for those who are trying to lose weight it may be taken as such. Being skinny can sometimes cause a lot of heartache and misery for a lot of people. Perhaps society and people in general could try and work on spending less time defining someone by their body size and more time on recognising an individuals beauty in other ways, compliment people on their achievements, their caring natures, their loving gestures, their hard work professional, their role as mother, father, etc. and be one more person who tries to break the stereotypes of what is currently considered acceptable in terms of body size or as a compliment when this can be so potentially hurtful and harmful.

Skinny is a quality. Just like fat is. Or blond hair is, Or brown eyes. It is what it is. Unfortunately, someone might have an idea that one quality is better than others. The important thing is that you can appreciate your body and mind for what they are, and work towards being the best you - WHATEVER that is. If you feel you are uncomfortable overweight, that's fine, you can eat differently, exercise etc. So long as you are doing it for your well-being and not for the satisfaction of others. Because no matter what you look like, someone out there is gonna love it. So it's best that you love you, however that is. ;)

For the majority of us, yes! There is a massive pressure on society (especially females) to be and look skinny; and skinny right now is a praise and the in thing - where as being 'fat' is the total opposite. It hasn't always been this way though - for a long time skinny was unattractive and 'curvy' was the in thing. Quick history lesson: it actually comes back to the much older days where if a person was 'fatter' they were beautiful because they had more food to survive, and therefore healthier. I think in a way we're trying to change these sorts of compliments; people can be any size and still beautiful and worthy.

Skinny can be a great compliment, especially if you are/were trying to lose weight. But that's not always the case, you can be called skinny and hate it. You might be trying to put on weight, and nothing is working, you might hate how skinny you are, you might even hate the word skinny. But lots of people think of skinny as a compliment, and usually don't mean to hurt you, although there are lots of people who say bad things out there. Just remember to love yourself, no matter if you're skinnier or larger, black or white. .

Skinny can be taken in many different ways according to the context. If it was meant in a derogatory way, then no it is not a compliment. But if it was meant in a positive way, then yes, it is a compliment.

No, I don't believe skinny is always a compliment. If you're suffering from an eating disorder and somebody tells you you look skinny and "look good" it's going to further that eating disorder and make it even worse because the person is reaching their goal. This can also be applied vice versa. Some people feel bad about being skinny but struggle to gain weight. Weight can be a very touchy topic for a lot of people and I feel as if saying somebody is skinny can be as harmful at times as saying somebody is fat. We have to be thoughtful and choose our words carefully.

Brief answer: no. Skinny is actually nothing more than a description of a person. A person can be tall, short, chubby, skinny, red haired, brown haired... It doesn’t actually say anything about a persons beauty. While of course, skinny and beautiful is tightly connected in western culture, it isn’t actually an equivalent. And slowly that perception of it starts to cease luckily. However there are many people who would not take it as a compliment to be called skinny. For example men, who often worry about not being muscular or strong enough. Or women who believe that they do no look “feminine” enough and lack curves. Body image issues are very widespread and very individual. Ultimately, I think that there are better compliments than “skinny” and there’s so much beauty to be discovered and appreciated in every person.

Not really if you are talking with a sufferer of some eating disorder, specially anorexia. Actually you must be very careful about mentioning shape, weight or appearance to a patient with that condition. On second thoughts maybe is better if one refrains to comment about any physical feature of other people. I think in some cases victims of bullying might be specially sensitive regarding comments about shape, weight and appearance. Summarizing, "skinny" can not always be considered a compliment and sometimes if we are not careful could become a trigger or may not be well taken by others. My two cents.

Not in my mind. I think that there's a level of too skinny where you just look like a skeleton with skin. It's a lose-lose situation because you can't be too fat or too thin. But if you're healthy, I think that should be the goal. no matter the number on the scale.

Not necessarily. Society and culture have attached a lot of extra meaning to the word skinny. It is hugely based on context, but it would be nice to step away from commenting on people's bodies.

Being "skinny" is not always a compliment. Sometimes being "too skinny" can be dangerous and unhealthy so it is good to try to find a balance.

Our society sadly values one body type over others. However, not all comments on a person being skinny are always positive. It is important to develop a strong feeling of self worth regardless of your body type, because unfortunately people will always comment on other people's bodies whether skinny or not.

No, some people say it when they're concerned you have an eating disorder. When I struggled with an eating disorder, people will tell me I was skinny or I had lost weight all the time, but it wasn't a compliment, it was a concerned comment or question.