If someone tells you you're beautiful.....

[CustardSpy]

Do you believe them? If your DH or DP tells you that you look gorgeous in that (insert relevant attire), do you get a little lift and believe them, or do you still look in the mirror and think "Ack, I look like a gigantic sausage pretending to be human"?

Nope. I have very low self confidence so I never believe compliments. However after losing a bit of weight I'm starting to feel less hatred towards myself, not a lot, but enough that some days I look in the mirror and think "you don't look as much of a humongous whale today"

I have been complimented in public and insulted. I am not beautiful but I am tall, red haired and busty so noticeable. People like to comment on hair. 'Oi ginge' to 'you have beautiful hair' and I have been called an 'ugly lesbo' when I had short hair, I generally take compliments ungraciously, I will say something awkward or self deprecating, and I don't believe it unless it is relating to my hair.

I don't have low self esteem, I think I am averagely attractive, with good skin (though pale and freckled), and nice eyes but I know I am not beautiful to anyone except my children and husband and I am happy with that. Dh tells me I am beautiful often, I believe he sees me that way and I should compliment him more as men like to feel attractive as well. Attractiveness is not judged the same by everyone, otherwise we would all struggle to find partners.

I am always surprised by some people's desire to comment on a strangers appearance, it never occurs to me to shout "baldy bastard" or "nice beer gut!" So what goes through the mind of the man or woman shouting / snidely commenting to an accomplice on the perceived fault in another person's looks...? It baffles me.

My children have routinely embarrassed me by shouting questions about "why is that lady so small?", "why is that man so smelly?" Etc. Etc. But they have mostly outgrown it now. Perhaps some people never do? Or they just have tumbleweed in place of a brain and emotions.

I do not count people with tourettes or related impulse control issues - they are not making g a conscious decision to comment.

I've been told a worrying amount of times that "I must have been stunning when I was younger".