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Is skinny always considered a compliment?

194 Answers
Last Updated: 06/11/2022 at 2:54am
Is skinny always considered a compliment?
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Top Rated Answers
WaffleGhost1
April 3rd, 2021 3:08pm
"Skinny" is not always a compliment. "Skinny" can be a great goal or a great accomplishment for a person. But it can also be an unhealthy burden. If being "skinny" and healthy would make you happy, you should be skinny and healthy. If being "big" and healthy would make you happy, you should be big and healthy. The key words should be happy and healthy. Not "skinny". It's a shame that society has played such a role in what so many of us feel should make us happy. That should be a decision we make all on our own.
plushMirage6297
June 11th, 2022 2:54am
Absolutely not. I had gone a couple years of being a size zero but that was not due to me being healthy. I was depressed and not eating because of a breakup. So it was unhealthy for me to be this weight so when someone would make a comment on my skinniness it made me feel uneasy because I knew I was not mentally stable and that was the cause for being skinny. So I was ashamed I had let myself get skinny this way. I was very self conscious because I didn’t want it to be know that I was having a hard time with depression and anxiety.
CeceAmanda
June 5th, 2022 11:34am
Hey, first of all, if you take it as one. Yeah, I would consider it as a compliment. If you are really wondering if it was, think back on how they delivered it! Did they say it in a- you are gorgeous way or say you were skinny? Then decide if that makes you uncomfortable; if it does feel free to tell them that. If you are comfortable with being complimented then I love that for you!! Most importantly stick up for yourself!! It is important for you well-being! We always need to protect ourselves and trust me, I know it's hard but you can do it!
CalmWaves3939
May 12th, 2022 8:30pm
No, some individuals struggle to gain weight which could cause them to feel self conscious about their body being 'skinny'. Even though some people believe calling someone skinny is always a compliment sometimes it can be just as harmful as 'fat'. For some people with eating disorders by calling them 'skinny' it can trigger negative emotions and can bring back their eating disorder as it can encourage them to look at their body and think negatively. Personally I believe an individual should never compliment on another persons body as you never know how someone may take your words. you may think what you are saying is a compliment but to others it may not feel that way.
CalmingNarwhal
May 12th, 2022 7:17pm
No, in my experience being called skinny growing up led to an expectation that I would always be that way, I've never been very big, but I'm not naturally tiny either and as a result I've struggled with eating disorders over the years including anorexia and bulimia and still to this day at 30 have problems with it, I would suggest that body based compliments can have far reaching effects that the person giving may not have taken into consideration no matter how well meaning they were in saying it - words can stick with people for a long time
Anonymous
April 30th, 2022 11:15am
Personally, I don't think compliments should be based around body types. They don't really mean much and can often reinforce negative stereotypes! For instance, when my relationship with my body was at it's unhealthiest, I was being complimented for being skinny! Which only reinforced unhealthy patterns for me. Instead, I think compliments centred around something we're proud of and have put an effort into mean so much more! It tells us the other person actually thought about the compliment instead of saying the first thing that came to mind. It also tends to stick with us for so much longer.
MtFreedom
April 3rd, 2022 6:42pm
No, it's not. There are plenty of people in the world who have negative images of themselves for being too skinny and wishing they were more muscular. Or perhaps someone is sick and losing weight, but not on purpose, now you've just reminded them of their illness. That person you call skinny could have spent the last 6 months of his life at the gym trying to bulk up. You're better off not commenting on other people's body unless they invite you into a conversation about it themselves. Perhaps it is better to focus on what's on the inside, not the shell you see on the outside.
Anonymous
March 30th, 2022 10:34pm
Sometimes being called skinny can make that person feel quite upset because they might not like the attention therefore being called skinny is not always a compliment to the person. This also may trigger the person as they may not like the attention when everyone goes around saying "omg look how skinny they are, I want to be just like them" because they might not like the constant chats about them. Some people can actually be quite rude about it because people are so skinny saying things like "do you not eat?" Or "ew why are you so skinny" this may cause the person to feel insecure about themselves.
ListenerIvana
March 23rd, 2022 10:23am
Skinny is most definitely not always a compliment. Sometimes it can feel good to hear such a thing, especially if you had been trying to/have lost weight. But other times, it may sound extremely demotivating. For example; if you are trying to gain weight, and somebody comments how skinny you are, you may feel that you're not making progress which can lead to other issues such as depression and intensified body dysmorphia. With this in mind, it's best not to comment on somebody's appearance; their weight might be a sensitive topic or the weight could correlate to an underlying illness, meaning they can't influence it. Furthermore, in my personal experience, I find it much more satisfactory if someone compliments my personality (e.g. helpfulness, knowledge, kindness) rather than my looks.
Avm101
February 9th, 2022 4:45pm
No, I believe skinny isn't always considered a compliment I believe it truly depends on the person. For example, personally, I am on a weight loss journey so if someone called me skinny I would take it as a compliment because it means my weight is showing. Someone who would not take skinny as a compliment is if they have low self-esteem with their body or body image issues or if they have an eating disorder being called skinny could be a trigger word. Instead of saying skinny we could say "you look fit" or "wow, you look really good".. the word skinny does not always have to be used.
fluffycloud13
December 5th, 2021 3:10pm
Hello there! I can tell you with confidence that being called skinny is not always considered a compliment. With every description of the body, it is up to interpretation. Also, people of many body types and sizes, have different experiences, even those with similar bodies. With that, being called skinny will hold a different meaning for each individual, no matter what the intent of the adjective usage was. So, while beauty standards widely praise those who are slender, it does not mean that everyone agrees on the connotation of the word. Everybody has their own associated feelings towards that word, so its unique to the individual.
Anonymous
December 5th, 2021 1:09pm
Personally, I hate being called skinny as a compliment as I do not see it as one but other people believe it is a compliment. It depends how it makes you feel though and if you feel like it is a compliment to you - does it make you feel happy in yourself is one of the best questions to ask yourself. Most people feel like they are giving out a compliment though so do not worry about whether or not they mean it in a nice way. Just view yourself as how you feel comfortable with yourself because that is what matters the most. :)
LisaListens2ugladly
August 18th, 2021 11:41am
I think it depends on the situation, really. If somebody struggled with losing weight and is proud of their process, I think it is a compliment. But in other situations, it is a comment that should be avoided, like many compliments about a person’s appearance. Not every person is proud of being skinny and if somebody is struggling with an eating disorder or is unhappy with their body, it might make matters worse. This is true with a lot of compliments about bodily features. If you really have to compliment somebody’s body, maybe just tell them that you like their figure without really describing it.
Anonymous
August 8th, 2021 1:28pm
Not really. Weight and body image can often be very sensitive or trigerring topics to a lot of people. In today's world, "skinny" is often considered the ideal standard for a "beautiful body". However, I can assure you that it is not. There might be several implications behind someone's appearance and it is not okay for anybody to comment on it. Someone skinny might be suffering with an eating disorder or might need serious help. Telling them that they are skinny in the form of a compliment might lead them to believe that what they're doing is right and that they should continue it. 'Skinny' or not, everyone is beautiful in their own way. Think before commenting on something someone can not or might not be able to control.
Anonymous
July 11th, 2021 6:45am
Different life experiences cause people to view things in vastly different ways. So, for some the word skinny may not mean much, for some it will be a compliment, while for others it may be a 'bad word'/insult. It depends on the region you're in as well as on your peer group's views. In some places, it may be expected / the norm to comment on others bodies, while in other places, it is considered bad form to comment on others' bodies. it is also important to not let others' comments change how you see your body. I hope no matter what people say, you will be able to show yourself love.
sunnyvision
July 8th, 2021 6:24pm
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. 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.
singerfiregirl
June 30th, 2021 2:46pm
Skinny is not always considered a compliment. Sometimes it is used to hurt people's feelings, or single them out. It makes girls feel like they aren't enough sometimes. Of course, some girls like being called skinny, and if they do, then it is a compliment. It is always up to you how you deal with people talking about you. I try to stay away from mentioning other people's bodies, because you never know how they will react to something you perceive as a compliment. Sometimes it is hard to tell whether something will help or hurt! Have an amazing day!
EveryDeadlyFlower
June 2nd, 2021 12:18pm
Skinny is not always considered a compliment. If a person has an insecurity about being skinny, or any unpleasant experience related to that, it might feel for them like a hurtful thing to hear even if you didn't mean it as an insult. It is better to resist commenting of a person's body type or weight changes, especially if you do not know that person well enough to predict how it might make them feel. It is much safer to just say "you look good" or something more neutral like that if you wish to make a compliment.
Anonymous
May 26th, 2021 5:07am
Sometimes it can be meant as an insult, skinny shaming is mostly ignored among people but still a serious issue. Although it is ignored as being a problem it still needs to be brought to light and dealt with, it's not ok for anyone to be insulted because they are skinny or any type of body type. Being skinny is not always controllable, some people are born with fast metabolisms which make it harder for them to gain weight. It's a huge burden to someone to have to worry about how their body looks much less have to worry about getting bullied or harassed for it.
alwaysindigo
May 15th, 2021 12:39am
Not always, sometimes it can be very harmful, coming from someone who has been underweight my whole life. Being called skinny can hurt just as much as being called fat, and people don’t always realize that. Even if it was meant as a compliment, commenting on someone’s weight (unless it’s a special situation) is kind of a mixed message anyway, because it means you were looking at/judging their weight anyway. This is just my take on it, and not meant as hate at all. Compliments are always wonderful and makes everybody feel special, just be mindful of what you’re saying 💛
Anonymous
May 8th, 2021 3:29pm
It depends. But all sizes are beautiful, I know it sounds cliche. But everyone has their own preferences. So some people might say that for a compliment, some other might not. But seriously what is important you love yourself skinny or not. Just don't think so much if people say something about your look. We all just need to stay healthy. Beauty come along when you are healthy. With whatever your sizes. So don't think too much about it. If you love being skinny. Then stay like that. Just don't suffer to be very skinny. Just have a healthy life and body. I hope it helps.
prideandprejudice116
May 5th, 2021 7:53am
Sometimes it can be. Other times it can be taken too far and can disregard others' feelings. Although people use it to show that they've noticed if you lost weight, It can make skinnier people feel like they aren't allowed to have body issues just because they are skinny. In my experience, it can be hurtful when comments about needing to 'eat a burger' or 'to put some meat on those bones' gets tossed around. I understand that people are trying to stop fat-shaming, but it is just as hurtful when you make comments towards skinnier girls just to make others feel better.
Anonymous
April 23rd, 2021 7:12pm
I do not believe skinny is always a compliment. Sometimes people struggle with maintaining their weight. Some people have health conditions that cause them to loose weight and it is not healthy. The context is often the most important factor in determining if the phrase skinny is positive or negative. A weightlifter might not like their legs being referred to as skinny. An over weight person may like have their legs referred to as skinny. Perspective is very important. I would not assume how a person would take the word skinny, rather I would ask them how that makes them feel.
skyfield01
April 22nd, 2021 11:54am
No, especially if the reason behind being skinny is not healthy. Though, most of the time, it is projected in the society that skinny equates to health and vigor, there are times when people develop unhealthy ways to maintain their body figure, leaving them skinny but without enough energy. If the reason behind being skinny is due to healthy and active lifestyle, then the compliment is well-deserved. But if the techniques of keeping that figure is not healthy, people will not appreciate nor compliment because the person would seem sickly for them. It is the kind of energy exposed and the way the person carries himself/herself no matter what the body type is makes one attractive and worthy of compliment.
BlueOasis420
April 11th, 2021 10:10am
Not always! People often think there's only fatshaming, but there's skinnyshaming as well. It can be out of envy or because they don't like a skinny body. Although it's not what we normally consider "shaming" it shouldn't be tolerated. But it can be both. It can be a compliment or an offense. You have to figure it out from the context, your relationship with the person who you are talking to and the tone in which they say it. But please remember you neither have to feel embarassed about being chubby nor being skinny. Both is okay and you don't have to change that with a diet, only if YOU want to or if it has significant effects on your physical health. Have a nice day
ThePowerofKnight
September 13th, 2020 3:40am
No, not necessarily. Especially if you are the skinny person who is receiving the comment. Many times skinny people cannot gain additional weight no matter how much they eat. Even lifting weights and shifting your diet to grow denser muscle and thickness is a ton of work for someone who is skinny. If they stop lifting weights, the muscle mass and thickness they gained will disappear quickly. If you are a skinny person who is being called skinny as a compliment, and you work your butt off to try to gain weight and muscle mass, but it is extremely hard for you to achieve, then being called "skinny" is not so much of a compliment.
Anonymous
August 5th, 2020 6:05am
Not always. It is a subjective term that can be interpreted in various ways. Assuming that someone will take it as a compliment may cause them to be offended. Realizing that people have different perspectives than yours is key to providing empathetic replies. Being able to put yourself in someone's shoes and try to understand how they feel is the first step to becoming a good listener. By inserting your opinion on whether skinny is considered a compliment, you are undermining the person's opinion. You should recognize someone's opinion and respectfully acknowledge it without imposing your perspective on it.
SmileBlast
August 23rd, 2020 2:24am
No. There are many cultures across the world that appreciate folks by various different sizes. There's a phrase 'different strokes for different folks' that really says that different types of people may take it as a compliment and other may take not. Especially in Westernized countries, tv and commercial media more times than not portray thin models, which often influences others to think that receiving a compliment of being skinny would be a compliment. Being labeled as skinny may even trigger some individuals to think they look un-healthy. This is a tough one, but often when someone makes a comment you can pay attention to the tone of the comment and use your own intuition to determine the meaning behind the comment.
Anonymous
July 20th, 2020 6:34am
The word "always" is always contradictory to reality, that is, it's not always true. Being called skinny depends if you "healthily-skinny" or "unhealthily skinny". And skinny isn't a word people use in a civilized world. Instead of "fat" or "skinny", use "plus-size" and "small-size" for not hurting people's sentiments or triggering them. Skinny mostly explains that you are unrealistically thin, and you are not eating enough and/or exercising a lot more than you should. So most probably it's not a compliment at all. It's more of an insult, shoving down people's will power, and also making them believe that they aren't beautiful the way they are. If you need compliments, they are wayyyyy better words, beautiful for one.
Anonymous
October 20th, 2020 5:40am
No, not at all. It is a big misconception that "skinny" is a positive thing to say to someone because of how much our media endorses the beauty standard of women who are on the skinnier side. However, some people hate to be skinny. They might consider it to be unattractive and not like their body type at all. Hearing from others that "they are so skinny" even though the person saying it doesn't mean it in a bad way can be detrimental to their self-esteem and body image. Also, no one wants to be called out on their appearance- skinny or not, it's better to compliment people differently, like you can say "you're so pretty" or focus on a non-physical attribute