Foo - Compliment or insult - what do you think?

Ok, there's a person I know who looks younger than her age in person, but a lot older in pictures, for some reason. I can't figure out why, but that's the way it is.

Now, if I were to say that to her, would you expect her to take it as a compliment or as an insult? Or would it be such a mix of positives and negatives that she'd just be confused.

This is not a close friend or anything, and it's not someone I'm interested in other than as a friend. And vice versa.

This is not a close friend or anything, and it's not someone I'm interested in other than as a friend. And vice versa.

Then I wouldn't mention it. But that's just me.

"Wow, you look much younger in person! Photographs just don't do you justice, apparently. Unfortunately, those pants make your ass look big in real life and photographs..."

Now, if I were to say that to her... Why would you want to?

This is perhaps an interesting observation that you shouldn't share with her. I would have to vote that she will see it as an insult.

Why would you want to?

Because I would intend it to be a compliment, and I like making other people happy. But I wanted a second opinion in this case, and I now see that it may not be such a great idea... :)

I think it could easily be misconstrued. I'd let it go.

Because I would intend it to be a compliment, and I like making other people happy. But I wanted a second opinion in this case, and I now see that it may not be such a great idea... :)

Buying her a houseplant would be a whole lot safer.

Tell them to not hand the camera to a bozo?

it's LOTS easier to just not enter the realm of physical appearances and talk about a shared interest in cycling or whatever. that's my $0.02 on the matter.

so, no matter how you dress it up the thing you are saying really is "you don't look good in photos". it's a backhanded compliment, even if you don't intend it to be that way.

You should tell her, but take pics to show us how it turns out.

All right people, I'm not going to mention it! :D Relax! :D