compliment or insult?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2007
compliment or insult?
12
Tue, 05-29-2007 - 2:00pm

Hi ladies. I know it seems strange that a man would come here but please let me explain. I met a really attractive woman at a party a few weeks ago. She had the classic figure of a 50's pinup - large bust, narrow waist, shapely hips/legs. Well, during the course of conversation I commented that she had a nice, full hourglass figure. I thought she would take it as a compliment. Instead, she became highly offended. She snapped "Well, perhaps I should model for Lane Bryant!", and then gave me a stinging slap on the cheek and walked away.

I guess she had interpreted "hourglass" as meaning big/overweight/full figured. I just thought it meant shapely and well proportioned. My buddies had watched the scene unfold and were laughing hysterically. When I told them what I had said they shook their heads and said it was never a good idea to comment on a woman's figure, even if I thought it was complimentary. What are your thoughts on this?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-03-2003
Tue, 05-29-2007 - 11:44pm
Hahaha! I am sorry that I am laughing. I absolutely think that the word "full" didn't help with your comment and probably lead to the slap. She absolutely over reacted in my opinion. The women I know like to hear good comments about the figure they've worked so hard to maintain. Some how, "full" and "hour glass" doesn't go too well together in the same sentence. I don't see anything wrong with a guy taking a look at you and saying " you have a nice figure". Of course, no drooling please. I totally think it's the "full" that lead to her reaction. Sorry buddy.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2007
Wed, 05-30-2007 - 12:26am

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Isn't it wild how the omission/inclusion of one seemingly innocuous word like "full" can mean the difference between a favorable reaction (and who knows, possibly a date) and a slap across the face? LOL Life is crazy.

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