You scrub up well

[ShiveringCoyote]

AIBU to think the phrase you scrub up well is a bit of a back handed compliment?

I think it means ''wow, I'm surprised how nice you look''
but one cannot say that.

I wouldn't take it as an insult. In my day to day life I look okay, but not great. That's alright with me because looking great isn't a priority for me most of the time - I'm happy to just look okay.
But if I made a special effort, I'd take it as a good thing if someone noticed. To me, it's like saying the base material is good.

I actually think it’s fucking rude. It’s basically a shorthand way of saying “you look like a tramp normally, but i’m pleasantly surprised that with some elbow grease you look almost passable.”

I hate it when people say it to me. Just say something nice, FFS or not at all! And it usually comes from a man........like they think you’ll be delighted to hear it

Well you could always reply,
"Thank you very much, actually it's not too difficult, you should give it a try... maybe even tomorrow? “

like they think you’ll be delighted to hear it

Even from a man (God forbid), it doesn't bother me in the slightest.