To think it isn't patronising to call an 18 yo adorable??

[aibumn]

AIBU?? Surely not?

[user1477282676]

Context is everything.

[TheMysteriousJackelope]

Except as a descriptor for kittens or very young children I find it patronizing.

[mum2Bomg]

I reserve 'adorable' for puppies and babies.

[misshelena]

No, unless it's meant that way

[misshelena]

I mean YABU

[InTheDessert]

Reverse???
There are very few suitations I can think of where calling a young adult adorable would not be patronising.

[Sukitakeitoff]

I would consider it patronising for an 8yo never mind an 18yo!

[NightWanderer]

It really is patronising.

[EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans]

Patronising. Acceptable from a very elderly relative but that's about it. What was the context?

[Manumission]

Is it one of things that are different in the States? Like 'cute'? Did a non-Brit say it?

[Mammylamb]

Very patronising

[corythatwas]

Context, as user said above. Do you know them well, what was the situation, how would they feel about it, were you serious, was it in their hearing?

[ethelb]

How old do you have to be for it to not be patronising OP?

[GinIsIn]

Puppies and babies only, in my book.

[TheMysteriousJackelope]

Manumission the only time I have come across it being used in the States was in contexts similar to 'You think Trump will be a great President? Oh, that's adorable', so patronizing there too.

[BarbarianMum]

Babies, baby animals and small flower arrangements/ wedding favours (and even the latter would make me wince).

[Manumission]

Ah. Not great then.

[Otherpeoplesteens]

Depends on the context. If pointedly not patronising, it could also be a little bit creepy, particularly if said with a husky voice and a mischievous glint in one's eye: "Oh, that 18 year old down the street? He's adorable!"

[misshelena]

Manumission -- Yes, I am American. But don't claim to speak for the country. Just that I am slow to take offense. I often hear "adorable" when responding to a teen or young adult showing off a new outfit or makeup trick, etc. It just means "cute" and 100% not meant to offend, in fact the reverse.

[EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans]

Like the recent threads where an American poster was looking for a 'cute' village then.

In the UK both adorable & cute would be considered offensively patronising except when applied to small children & pets, but it sounds like it's a language thing.

[TheMysteriousJackelope]

I think misshelena has it. It's OK to refer to a thing as adorable - outfit, make-up, bag, but not a person or the thing they are doing. Saying 'That's an adorable outfit is not patronising', 'You're so adorable' is.

[LivininaBox]

Not patronising provided the person saying it is really posh :"oh you are just too adorable"

[RaymondinaReddington]

Really? It is what I would class as a kind descriptor.
E.g. You're sweet, you're a treasure, you're a doll. I can't imagine why it would be patronising but context is everything.