If someone told you that you 'shoot from the hip'

[TiesThatBindMe]

Would you consider it a compliment or a criticism?

Context (a guy I was dating and I can't remember what I had said).

Criticism, but a fairly mild one.

Yeah that's a criticism. Not an insult but a rebuke.

Lord, now I'm going to have to google rebuke.

I suspect they are saying you react before you use your head. Trigger happy if you will. I agree a mild criticism.

Ok, rebuke is a sharp criticism. Hmmmm. Who does he think he is criticising me!!! (tongue in cheek).

Not necessarily a criticism. Could be awed admiration. Or fear Are you intimidating this poor chap? Maybe he isn't used to direct women.

Although shoot from the hip can also mean straight talking, you pull no punches. Perhaps we need some context 🤔

Yes, it's a criticism. What was the context?

I probably do 'shoot from the hip' though when I think about it.

It depends on the circumstances and who is receiving it.

But normally it means no fuss, no nonsense, direct approach but in some quarters that would be perceived as too direct, rude even.

eurochick, if you read the full two whole long lines of my original post you would see the context.

I wouldn't mind at all being told that I shoot from the hip. Actually, I hope I do. I can't stand weasel words and circumlocution.

He means he's terrified you're going to say he has a tiny cock.

I think it is a compliment- straight talking, direct, honest.

He was Australian if that makes any difference to his linguistic choices? It was the first time I had ever heard the phrase to be honest. I suspect I had rather frightened him with some suggestion or something.

eurochick, if you read the full two whole long lines of my original post you would see the context

I think you've answered your own OP, OP. Unnecessary.

I would consider this a compliment.

You're straight talking and you don't mince your words.

I would see the conversation something like this ...

OP: says something blunt, critical, straight [about her date, or to her date about something/someone else]

Date: 'ouch! You shoot from the hip don't you!'

Could just be the dates way of saying - 'you seem so lovely but definitely get to the point!' or, 'wow I wasn't expecting you to b that blunt!'

Whether date was saying this in admiration, or a fun way, or as a criticism, is really hard to tell without hearing his tone of voice and the rest of the conversation!

I've since googled the phrase and have images of John Wayne pulling his gun from his holster and shooting in the same second. I guess it means that I'm a bit too quick to speak and don't think about what I'm saying. Probably an accurate analysis.

I don't think it's necessarily a criticism it means you're direct, you say what you think. It's slightly like saying a girl is bossy though; we're allowed to show leadership skills actually . Did he follow it with I like that in a woman?. If not I am sceptical he meant it as a compliment probably meant to shut you up. I'd be wary..

It's slightly like saying a girl is bossy though; we're allowed to show leadership skills actually

This. A thousand times this.

TiesThatBindMe that's not context, the context would be the conversation you were having with him at the time he said it.

If you think you frightened him then I'd say it wasn't intented as a compliment.

So you accept its accurate. So it diesnt have ti be a criticism or a compliment. It could be just a statment of fact.

Maybe he is similar and would rather say it how it is.

you think you frightened him then I'd say it wasn't intented as a compliment.

Or he's now putty in her hands. Lots of men go quite weak at the knees over strong women.

Shooting from the hip is where you don’t take aim but just fire away at random.