So, when someone tells you that you look well

[MrsCampbellBlack]

What do you think they mean?

Because, for me it means I look fat. Now is this just me and my own family weirdness regarding weight or is anyone else the same?

Oh lordy - buxom! I have just done a little shriek whilst folding up towels at that one.

And take into account that an older gentleman asked me if I'd had a boob job at the weekend!

I assume I must have put some makeup on, and not be quite so corpse-like as usual.

MrsCB - you are so, so tiny. It couldn't possibly mean that you look fat!

How interesting. I would think happy, healthy, shiny.

I've heard it both during pregnancy - grew to size of house, and post - pregnancy - reduced to smaller than pre pregnancy size.

Katy
Size 12-14 :)

Chubby never crosses my mind.

I always think they mean I am glowing.

I think it depends on who's saying it, and how they said it.

But I agree, it could mean fat.
Or that I looked like shit the last time they saw me.

But if it was 'nice lady' who said it, then it's a compliment.

And you are so not fat MrsCB

But if they wanted to pay a genuine complement, surely they'd say great, fantastic, lovely, fab hair/dress, etc? 'Well' just seems to be the lowest common denominator when you can't think of any specific complement to pay someone (because they look shit).

COMPLIMENT. Bollocks. That's one of my pet hates as well.

'You look well/healthy' tends to mean big/chubby/have put on weight. Sometimes refers to chest size too!

People normally say it to me when I've got the glow of 8h uninterrupted sleep.

When I first met dh, people always used to say it when I'd have sex that morning (obv that doesn't happen now!)

I think if someone said it to me I'd be angsting about it meaning I looked fat. But then my mother is similar to yours MrsCB...

I say it to pregnant women though

I would never dream that it could mean fat! Genuinely perplexed at this divide!

No, no, NO! It can't mean just 'fat', it must mean glowing, healthy etc.

Otherwise why would someone tell someone who is already fat that they are fat?!?!?!?!?!

I've always assumed it means 'fat' too. Unless I / the recipient have a very glowing tan I guess.

I often compliment other women but usually say that I love their dress/ hair/ bag, etc etc. Wouldn't say 'well' in any case because I think it implies they looked really rough last time I saw them.

No way! I always assumed it means you look glowing or your skin looks especially good. Never thought it meant fat. My family says it to each other a lot and there's never been a fat link as far as I could see. (If someone's got fatter or lost weight, it's always commented on outright)

I KNEW it. A sort of old flame messaged me on fb the other day and said "it's nice to see you looking so well". As soon as I read it I thought "you mean I look fat/old but you're trying to think of something to say".

At least he didn't say I looked nice. That word makes me stabby.

It's not an intentional insult people. But as illustrated by my old flame anecdote it's what people say when they're reaching for something to say but are actually thinking you look fat/old/crap clothes.

I think it means 'you look healthy and happy' and nothing more. That you're wearing a good colour for you and your clothes suit you. That your hair looks nice.

If I thought someone looked bad, I wouldn't say anything about how they looked at all. I wouldnt say they looked well to mean they looked so awful I couldn't think of anything positive. I would just keep my mouth shut altogether.

Thinking further, I might say ' you look fantastic/ amazing/stunning - but never 'well', for reason I gave earlier. I'm even a bit careful with 'smart' because can imply they usually look a mess.

I am a teacher (although FE so not all 6 weeks off in the summer) and always get told I look well when September comes around. I have always assumed that people say it cos I have been stressfree and relaxed.

It doesn't last long

Have never associated it with weight