Sometimes you're just being called a "slut" in a pretty package.
By Jessica Sager — Written on Mar 31, 2015
Backhanded compliments are tough because when you get one — especially from someone you don't know that well — you're not sure how to take it. It's even trickier when someone is commenting on your character, because, well, you're a person. People are multi-faceted and complex. But we're here to help. The following comments aren't necessarily compliments on your character. In fact, they're the most common slut-shaming remarks just wrapped in the pretty packaging of a compliment. This means that whoever tells you these not only thinks you're skanky, he or she also thinks you're too stupid to know what they're actually saying.
But! Before we get to the meaty stuff, do know that context matters. Something your BFF says, for example, likely has a completely different meaning than what your current boyfriend's bitter ex-girlfriend says. Keep that in mind and get your comebacks ready for these beautifully, thinly-veiled rude remarks about your sex life.
1. "You're very social." This is more in how they're saying it. If they emphasize "very," "social," or both, the speaker doesn't mean you go to brunch a lot. He or she means you're a whore.
2. "I mean, how can they resist, right?" This depends on who's saying it. Chances are if it's your best friend, she's saying it to make you feel good. If it's a frenemy, she's saying that you're putting the offer out there and that it's cheaper than a Loehmann's clearance.
3. "You've got a body made for sin." Uh, and also for breathing, walking, cartwheels and kicking rude people in the crotch. My body can do all of that, too. Let's not marginalize it just because it looks wonderful.
4. "I hear you're popular on Tinder." Ugh, swipe left on whoever says this.
5. "You're so confident to show off your body like that." You're not wearing much clothing.
6. "I figured you would know since you're so much more experienced." Unless you're Jimi Hendrix or mentoring an intern at work, this person is basically saying, "You have a lot of sex." That's not a bad thing on its own, of course, but some people will think it is and make it seem so when they say it. These people are ignorant and probably jealous of you because they spend more time casually insulting others than getting laid. What a sad life, right?
7. "Well I mean, you're just more ... free-spirited than the rest of us." You hate commitment and you're loose, apparently. Or you're Kate Hudson.
8. "You're probably a Samantha." All anyone remembers about Samantha on Sex And The City is that she was the most promiscuous. Also, does anyone who watched this realize how much the writers hated women? And how much the writers overestimated what would be Carrie Bradshaw's income? And how awful this franchise is? Anyone?
9. "You're more of a Marnie." Girls is the new Sex And The City and it's just as terrible. If someone calls you a Marnie, they either mean you're a product of nepotism (though that could be anyone on this series, to be fair), you have a strong jawline, you're really annoying, or you sometimes do butt stuff with guys who are already in serious relationships with other women.
10. "I don't care what they say about you. I think you're classy." First off, who are "they?" Second, why does anyone care about "they?"
