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Is skinny always considered a compliment?

Profile: aeris156
aeris156 on Jun 5, 2019
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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.
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Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Jul 24, 2016
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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.
Profile: bravesmiles101
bravesmiles101 on Jul 24, 2016
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Not always. For someone with an eating disorder, this can be triggering and even distressing sometimes.
Profile: AngelicPenguin
AngelicPenguin on Jul 1, 2018
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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....
Profile: MoonlitHaze
MoonlitHaze on Jul 14, 2016
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Nothing is ALWAYS used as a compliment. It usually depends what context it is in or the intent behind it. Someone could say, "She's really skinny, she's so cute!" Or they may say, "She's really skinny, I think it's gross." It ALL depends. And at the same time it may not be used as an insult OR a compliment, they may just be describing appearance In my personal opinion someone could be a size 0 and have a terrible personality and look like a hobo. And someone who is 200+ pounds may be extremely sweet and have an amazing fashion taste AND vise-versa. Weight should not define someone. It may be used as a compliment, insult, or just a descriptor. It's all about context.
Profile: swiif6disuts
swiif6disuts on Apr 13, 2018
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No, sometimes it may end up being taken harshly and hurt someone's feelings. Try complimenting personalities over looks.
Profile: supportiveKitty48
supportiveKitty48 on May 18, 2018
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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
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Sep 9, 2016
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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.
Profile: Quadzii
Quadzii on Sep 3, 2016
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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. ;)
Profile: romanticthi3f
romanticthi3f on Feb 1, 2018
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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.
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