8 Insulting Things No One Is Allowed To Say To You
We’re all supposed to respect each other and be decent human beings, right? Sadly, some people out there didn’t quite get the memo on this one. You know who I’m talking about — the toxic people around you who still think it’s fine to hurl insults at you while wearing the fakest of smiles on their faces.
Here are 8 things you should never have to put up with hearing from their lips:
1. “Are You Sure You Should Be Eating That?”
So, you’re sitting in a restaurant with your so-called friend. You order something that you fancy from the menu and her reaction is as fast as it is rude. “Are you sure you should be eating that?” I’m sorry, what did you just say? There is never, I repeat, never a time when this type of conversation should happen. You get to choose what you eat and when you eat it. It’s that simple. The minute that someone starts to judge you for the thing you happen to be eating, you have every right in the world to leave. Bye.
2. “You Look Good… For a Big Girl.”
This type of backhanded compliment is the worst. There’s no way around it. It’s the type of thing that someone says to you when they’re trying to subtly put you down and make you feel like you’re less than you actually are. The point is that size should never come into how a person looks; it shouldn’t be a criteria that holds someone back. Using this kind of terminology around someone is a surefire way to make them feel awful. It’s not okay and you don’t have to put up with it at all.
3. “It’s So Brave Of You To Do That.”
Whether it’s posting a picture online or wearing a certain dress, there are times when the word ‘brave’ does not apply. These word has connotations that are extremely harmful. It suggests that, for some bizarre reason, you ought to be hiding yourself away. For example, if someone tells you a photo you posted was ‘brave,’ it’s basically like saying that you should be ashamed of it. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that this is a misguided compliment because it’s not. It’s a very thinly-guised attack and you should not take it.
4. “Have You Tried [Insert Fad Diet]?”
First of all, fad diets can be extremely unhealthy, at the best of times. Eating nothing but bone soup five days a week? Um, that’s a hard pass. Secondly, there’s few things worse on this planet than someone trying to push their agenda on you. When a person suggests that you ought to be dieting in some way, it’s rude enough. When they tell you which diet they think you should be on, it’s just plain out of order. Tell that person that you’re happy with a healthy balanced diet so… thanks, but no thanks.
Related: Body Positivity 101: Everything You Absolutely Need To Know
5. “You’d Be Really Pretty If…”
Here’s another insult trying to mask itself as some kind of compliment. Don’t just focus on the word ‘pretty’ here as it has very little to do with what the person is saying to you. No one out there has the right to tell you how they think that you should style yourself or what they think you should do. In fact, that choice is 100%, entirely up to you. And that’s the way it needs to stay. The moment that someone tells you that you need to change something to be attractive, ignore them. The only change you should make it getting rid of these toxic people from your life once and for all.
6. “Have You Lost Weight?”
What is this constant obsession with weight all about?! For some reason, there are people out there who seem to believe that this is the biggest compliment they can give someone. It’s almost as though they believe that losing weight is everyone’s number one priority all of the time. That is simply not the case. You don’t need to allow yourself to be won over by this particular phrase. Instead, be honest. If you have, say yes, and own it. If you haven’t, say no, and own it. Because, in the end, neither answer really matters.
7. “You’re Not Fat, You’re Beautiful.”
There are so many things that are wrong with this phrase right here, but for now, let’s start with the obvious. You do not have to be skinny to be beautiful. No law ever said that was the case because it isn’t. When people say that you’re not fat, you’re beautiful, they may as well say that bigger women can’t be attractive because of their size. It is, quite frankly, one of the most insulting and harmful things that a person can say to you. When someone goes ahead and splutters this nonsense at you, make sure that you set them straight.
8. “I Don’t Think You Should Wear That.”
Your fashion sense is your choice. If you have friends (or, let’s face it, ‘frenemies’) who tell you that you shouldn’t wear certain things, they are the problem, not you. Going shopping with these toxic people will only make you miserable, and so you need to avoid it at all costs. These people know what they’re doing. As much as they may pretend, they know what those insulting words do to you. Don’t give them the benefit of seeing you upset, but do tell them where to get off.
Related: 7 Body Positive Quotes Every Woman Should Know
