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Original poster

You're wearing well. A compliment or dated and offensive?

37 replies

LargeMalbec · 25/10/2019 12:48

Hi,

So was watching Richard and Judy on This Morning and they were interviewing Louise Rednapp(?...not sure what her surname is now) and she was promoting her new album and west end show, I think.

Anyway, the interview is coming to a close and Richard says "and you still look great". Ok....I guess that's a nice thing to say, although it's not got anything to do with anything, but then he goes on... "you're wearing well" 🤦‍♀️🙄 Wearing well?! What, like a car or perhaps a carpet?!

I HATE this expression and I had forgotten how much, as I hadn't heard it for quite some time, thank god.

You don't hear men being spoken about like this. You just don't. It's still such an issue that women age or "wear" well. Even if it has no context at all. It must be commented on apparently.

Is it just me or should this expression be banished forever?

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 25/10/2019 12:54

I've heard men described as such, many a time.

Are you one of the professionally offended? I mean seriously? Richard Madeley paying a compliment to louse Rednapp and you're all her up about it?Confused

DelurkingAJ · 25/10/2019 12:54

I dislike it from strangers (have heard it said of men and women though) but take it as a compliment from friends.

AmIThough · 25/10/2019 12:55

I've never heard the phrase before and wouldn't ever take it offensively...

Presumably 'wearing' means 'ageing'?

AppleKatie · 25/10/2019 12:55

I agree OP it’s a bloody rude thing to say to someone. Man or woman. However, yes it is particularly offensive and misogynistic in this context.

Ratonastick · 25/10/2019 13:01

I really think it depends on the person saying it. When I am sat on the sofa with a bottle of wine and my best friend mourning our lost youth, the phrase “yeah but you’re wearing bloody well” is a huge compliment. From a random bloke out of context it is a massive, dated and sexist insult. Context is all, and in this context I would say Richard is being a bit of a tosser.

TheRobinIsBobbingAlong · 25/10/2019 13:09

I've heard the phrase said to men plenty of times. I wouldn't be offended by it.

Original poster
LargeMalbec · 25/10/2019 13:36

@Bluntness100, yes, I'm one of those Hmm No, I just thought it was a ridiculous thing to say.

OP posts:
Original poster
LargeMalbec · 25/10/2019 14:04

@DelurkingAJ, I think if a friend said it to me, whilst we were having a discussion about aging etc, then yes, I think that would be different. I'd still shudder a bit, but I'd get their intention.

I think the kind of situation I'm talking about is very different.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 25/10/2019 15:14

I'm 53 and quite happy to be told I'm wearing well (but it is down to genetics). Are you offended by You scrub up well? The reverse of "wearing well" is "they've had a tough paper round" 😆

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 25/10/2019 15:17

BTW was Louise Rednapp offended by the comment?

Original poster
LargeMalbec · 25/10/2019 15:29

@70isaLimitNotaTarget, I would think she felt a bit awkward, but obviously I don't know. I thought she did look a bit taken aback, but maybe that's because I was cringing and seeing it through my eyes.

OP posts:
ohdearmymistake · 25/10/2019 16:16

Oh behave OP stop looking to be offended, he meant it as a compliment.

Whattodoabout · 25/10/2019 16:17

Oh wow, I’ve never heard that expression before. How vulgar! I wouldn’t expect any better from him though tbh.

Spidey66 · 25/10/2019 16:23

Ahh, the professionally offended!

Of course it should be taken as a complement. Some people age better than others. Unfortunately, not me.

wizzywizzed · 25/10/2019 16:23

I find RM creepy and inappropriate at the best of times so no big surprise the quote came from him tbh. However I equally hate the expression "you look good - for your age". Like you feel the need to add in a disclaimer in case I might think you thought someone over 40 looks vaguely presentable 🙄

Original poster
LargeMalbec · 25/10/2019 16:25

Oh for goodness sake, ohdearmymistake. Why when someone is offended now, they're looking to be. I suppose you would describe me as a snow flake Hmm

Jeez. Look, I'm over it, I just hate the expression and couldn't imagine it was just me.

OP posts:
Original poster
LargeMalbec · 25/10/2019 16:30

"Professionally offended"? What does that even mean?

@wizzywizzed, yep. Compliment agree.

OP posts:
Original poster
LargeMalbec · 25/10/2019 16:31

*Completely

OP posts:
ohdearmymistake · 25/10/2019 19:45

LargeMalbec

No I wouldn't call you a snowflake, but your showing that you do like to find offence in things that aren't remotely offensive, look at your reply's.

More people disagree with you than agree.

Original poster
LargeMalbec · 25/10/2019 20:41

Look at my replies? Confused Why? It's fine if people disagree with me, obviously, but if I'm being called something I'm not, then I'll correct them.

I think opinion seems fairly evenly split so far.

OP posts:
ChicCauldron · 25/10/2019 20:45

I'd see/take it as a compliment and I've heard the phrase before (always as a compliment).

Original poster
LargeMalbec · 25/10/2019 20:47

And I "like to take offence "? Yes, I find comments like that offensive. Why does that mean I like to?

OP posts:
Singlenotsingle · 25/10/2019 20:51

I got told recently by my GP that I am "well preserved"! I didn't know quite how to take it...

Singlenotsingle · 25/10/2019 20:53

Ohdear I'm a bit offended by the fact that you can't spell.

ragged · 25/10/2019 20:53

My threshold for being offended is a lot higher than that.

I guess i would prefer to hear it from someone who was an old friend (we could mutually congratulate on wearing well). From someone I didn't know I would just think it a peculiar thing for them to feel need to comment on.

yabu