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

[aibumn]

AIBU?? Surely not?

Context is everything.

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

I reserve 'adorable' for puppies and babies.

No, unless it's meant that way

I mean YABU

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

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

It really is patronising.

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

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

Very patronising

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?

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

Puppies and babies only, in my book.

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.

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

Ah. Not great then.

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!"

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.

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.

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.

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

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.