When people remark “ You’re Looking Well” do they mean you’ve put weight on?

[BrandyandBabycham]

I’ve noticed that when people say this to me, it is when I have got bigger. Maybe I’m being over sensitive. I am quite a lot heavier at the mo due to hitting the bottle during lockdown. Maybe it’s a wake up call.

A colleague of mine went on a detox diet, her skin cleared up, her hair shone, she lost a few pounds and she just looked better.

People told her "she looked well".

So, it's not about gaining weight. But if someone were perhaps dieted to the bone, had a very restricted diet and hence looked drawn and tired, someone then might say they look well if they then gained a few pounds.

When an Indian person tells you, you’re looking healthy that means you’ve gained weight lol

I often say this to old friends, I mean they look rested, skins good, they just look good. Definitely never use it re weight.

I have literally only seen the claim that 'you look well' is code for 'you look fat' on Mumsnet. In real life/among the people I actually know 'you look well' means...'you look well.'

But I'm autistic so maybe I have just missed the subtle connotation and actually that's what everyone means! Seems like a really horrible/passive aggressive way of living, though...

It means you're looking glowy/ happy/ healthy.

It's better than commenting that someone was looking tired or pasty before.

It'sa compliment not a veiled dig, unless someone is a queen bitch with form.

I think it’s meant as you look well. Not that you’ve put on weight. I hadn’t seen a family member for a few months and when I did see her she said ‘you look happy’ now that was her way of saying ‘my you’ve put on weight 🤣’

I told someone they were "looking well" last week having not seen them for ages. I meant that they were looking well, healthy and happy, nothing else. It was a compliment.

Gaining a bit of weight can hide all manner wrinkles and what not. It’s possible they say you’re looking better for having gained the weight,

I have only ever heard of this on mums net. Nobody in my real life would say anything that suggests you have put on weight. Take it at face value.

If you have other reasons to expect the person is being a dick and making a dig about your weight then they aren't a friend distance yourself and pity the poor soul that is so nasty, can't be a happy person.

I think it just means you look good/nice/fine I don’t think people mean anything by it. I certainly don’t jeez I thought it was just a nice thing to say cause people looked nice now am thinking - does everyone I’ve said it think I called them fat maybe just a stiff “good day to you sir/ma’am” next time

I agree op, I've noticed in the past I have had this said to me at times when I've gained weight, a couple of times with a smirk, so I definitely know it was meant as a rather back handed compliment.

Nothing to do with weight when I say it.

Me neither! I really mean, ooh your hair turned out so well and your outfit is excellent and your earrings are beautiful and your makeup si so flattering and your scent and your mojo are all lifting you OFF THE PAGE SISTER, but less is more

Yeah I have thought this in the past too, when I saw someone I hadn't seen in a while - I was dressed up, but heavier. It struck me at the time that is what she meant too. It doesn't seem very discreet to me, but I didn't take offence with it. They're just trying to be polite.

I have to say that I have issues due to my upbringing so I am particularly sensitive about my weight. Thanks for screwing me up DM! ( In her defence, she has major issues around food & I don’t think I will ever be told the whole story so need to cut her some slack as a damaged human being 😢)

When an Indian person tells you, you’re looking healthy that means you’ve gained weight lol

An Italian person will outright tell you you've gained weight
I have a 5m old and have heard it loads recently "You're looking well Camomila, you were too skinny after DS1"