To wonder why people think it's okay to pass comment about this?

[HamstersAndHockeySticks]

This actually happened last week but I've been thinking about it and I really do think it is odd and frankly, very rude.

I was in a queue in a cafe waiting to be served. It wasn't very busy, there was only me, a young lad of about 18 or 19 and a middle aged woman waiting to be served. The young lad had some acne on his cheeks and forehead (this is relevant) and as someone who suffered acne all throughout my teenage years I am always very sympathetic about these things as I know how damaging it can be to someone's self esteem and overall confidence.

Anyway as the woman was chatting to the person at the till although I wasn't paying attention to what they were saying. After she had paid she suddenly turned to the young lad who was behind her and said to him "and as for you, I can give you some tips on how to get rid of those spots..." and then without waiting for an answer started giving some "advice" on how eating a bit more healthily will work wonders, as will drinking more water and using x face wash .

I suppose she might only have been trying to be nice (in her own weird way) but the poor lad was cringing and looked like he didn't know what to say.

I guess it pissed me off because like I said I had acne all throughout my teenage years and people commenting on it (even people who were otherwise nice, people who hardly knew you and yes even strangers) wasn't uncommon . I actually found it amazing (and still do) how many people felt they had the right to point out the fact I had spots (do they think I'd never noticed?) and then go on to give me "helpful advice" about how all I needed to do was try this or that, wash my face more, drink more water, etc. It upset me even more because they had no idea what I had tried to get rid of it and had no idea of what my hygiene habits were like or how healthy/unhealthy I ate - they just assumed. They had no idea I was under the care of a dermatologist and had tried numerous antibiotics yet they still felt the need to put their input in even when they had no idea of the situation.

What happened last week just reminded me of that...but IANBU to think that those types of comments are rude, right? It's just that given the number of people who think it is accetable then I maybe think it's me the one in the wrong .

I also never said anything either to the poor lad or this woman but I wish I had now.

nest time give them advice on wrinkles... and how to lose them.

I have intermittent psoriasis, I get loads of comments asking if I've burnt myself, someone saying 'aaaah poor little handies....' or worse still those trying to sell me creams that will cure it. No, thanks I'll go with the dermatologist's advice.

I don't mind children asking me about it, they are curious, say oh and carry on with whatever they were doing.

She was very rude!
I had quite good skin when I was a teenager, but when I was around 18 I remember using a different face cream to my normal one. My skin reacted really badly to it and I ended up with loads of white pimples all over my chin. My boyfriend's Dad gave me an "urgh" face, pointed at my chin, and asked "What's that all over your face?!"
I felt like shit and still remember it, even though it was 20 years ago.

Susan

NumberOneFan - oh, how I sympathise with you!!

M daughter has a most enormous strawberry naevus (birthmark) on her upper arm, and part of her chest. Years ago, FiL announced "Oh, it just turns your stomach". Unbelievably crass and thoughtless!
I can tell you, I did let rip at him!

And since, so many comments like "Oh, have you burned yourself?" or "What have you done?". Those, not so bad, as it can be explained rationally, but the FiL one really made my blood boil (I'm boiling now, just remembering, and this was 21 years ago) Grrrr - idiot man

My Mum had Rosacea - there were times when she wouldn't even leave the house for days on end because she was so afraid of comments someone might make!