History Main / ComplimentBackfire

* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/4701476/chapters/10735325 batman & (smol) son]]'' has little Damian admiring Dick's long ponytail because it reminds him of his mother Talia. Unitentional emasculation apart, Dick never liked Talia so his thanks is a mite clipped, and Bruce outright hopes his eldest son felt so insulted he's finally going to get a haircut.

* ''Film/{{Overboard|1987}}'': Nate urges Charley to say something nice to the Captain, seeing as it's his birthday -- on such short notice the best Charley can come up with is "Wow -- you barely look insane today!"

* ''Series/ThirtyRock'': When Liz was feeling insecure about her looks, Cerie tells her that she looks good for a woman with three children. The problem was Liz had no children.

** Overlaps with DiggingYourselfDeeper in the episode "Making Out is Hard to Do", in which Michelle tries to console Jesse when he feels down after finding out that the Rippers became more popular under the new leadership from [[Creator/BarryWilliams]] than they ever were when Jesse himself was the leader:

** Overlaps with DiggingYourselfDeeper in the episode "Making Out is Hard to Do", in which Michelle tries to console Jesse when he feels down after finding out that the Rippers became more popular under the new leadership from [[Series/TheBradyBunch Barry Williams]] than they ever were when Jesse himself was the leader:

* WesternAnimation/{{Animaniacs}}: Goodfeathers sketches, Pesto ''ALWAYS'' takes Squit's compliments as insults. Granted it's obvious that Pesto is an homage to Joe Pesci and it was a spoof of ''Film/GoodFellas'' but still...

* ''Series/30Rock'': When Liz was feeling insecure about her looks, Cerie tells her that she looks good for a woman with three children. The problem was Liz had no children.

* ''Film/{{Star Trek|2009}}'': Spock is complimented by his elders on overcoming the "disadvantage" of being a HalfHumanHybrid. Spock's response, while unflinchingly calm and polite, is very clear on where they can stick their praises. It is a credit to Quinto's performance in this scene that his "[[CatchPhrase Live Long and Prosper]]" comes off clearly as "[[ParentheticalSwearing fuck off and die in a hole]]" without any obvious expression of emotion.

* Jessie of ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' gets a lot of the third one, but it's often a slip-up by James and Meowth. Harley secretly turned heel on May because of the second.

* The compliment misidentifies Alice's ideological stance. For example, Alice is an atheist and was complimented for her "Christian behaviour". Or Alice holds politically conservative views and is complimented on her "liberalism".

* In general, members of the military aren't actually too fond of being thanked for their service. Usually it puts the member in an awkward position where no matter what they say in response, it will either come off as obnoxiously entitled (if they are too appreciative of the gratitude) or obnoxiously flippant and rude (if they aren't appreciative enough of the gratitude). In fact, being the kind of member who ''enjoys'' being thanked for your service will earn you mockery and scorn from other members.

%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1576455303049536000
%% Please do not replace or remove without starting a new thread.

[[quoteright:208:[[Webcomic/MaxOveracts https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pretty_4.png]]]]

--> [[spoiler:'''Sakura''':"Really? What if I wear the star, does it look cute then?"]]\\
[[spoiler:'''Lily''': "Uh... you're doing it wrong."]]\\
[[spoiler:'''Sakura''': "If you're cute those details don't matter. But the harder I try to be cute, the dumber and uglier I end up looking. [[SuddenlyShouting Because... I'm a failure!]]"]]\\
[[spoiler:''Sakura tosses the star into the ground, frightening Lily. Lily is later seen sobbing herself to sleep.'']]

* A RunningGag in ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueInternational'' was that whenever [[AnIcePerson Ice]] had a SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome someone would say "Way to go, Ice! [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway I don't know why everyone thinks your powers are lame]]!"

* ''ComicBook/AstroCity'': Steeljack, a ReformedButRejected supervillain, breaks into the local Justice League {{Expy}} headquarters to warn them about another supervillain's plot, and is nearly immediately apprehended by a group of heroes, including Quarrel II, the daughter of one of his old accomplices, the original Quarrel. As he is dragged out, he mentions that her dad would have been proud of her. While he probably means that he would be proud that she got away from the slums and crime and became an upstanding citizen and hero, Quarrel flies into a rage at being complimented by an accomplice of her father's and a supervillain, and given approval by proxy from her said father, whom she has done everything to distance herself from.
* ''ComicBook/UltimateFF'': Namor: "Say what you want about me, but watch your mouth around this beautiful creature!" Sue: "*sigh*"
* An ''ComicBook/{{Archie}}'' comic story opens with Veronica asking Archie "Will you still love me when I'm old?" Archie replies "Of course I do." Following is Archie after Veronica clobbers him and storms off.

* In the ''Redeye'' comic strip, the incompetent brave tried to butter up his chief with the line, "You don't sweat much for a fat guy." The brave intended it as a compliment. This is a gender-reversal of a real life line Alex Karras originally said to a girl he was dancing with, with the same intention.

-->'''Jon''': Liz, you're not like the other women I've known. You haven't run away screaming.
-->'''Liz''': Yet.
-->'''Garfield''': [[StrangeMindsThinkAlike She beat me to it!]]

* ''Fanfic/{{Hivefled}}'': Vriska learns why one should not tell someone who was horribly tortured by his own parents that he should look on the bright side because his new scars are "fucking hardcore" when he responds by [[BerserkerRage giving her some new ones]] since she likes them so much.
* ''Fanfic/TheFifthAct'': Vincent tells Sephiroth that he sincerely has faith in Sephiroth and that he won't go mad as Cloud fears. Since this comes after the revelation that none of friends trust him and it's coming from a total stranger this doesn't do much to comfort him.
* ''Fanfic/RivalsSeries'': When Yuuri wins gold at the Junior Grand Prix, Viktor attempts to compliment him. However, he does so by criticizing Yuuri for winning without using any quads (which Yuuri was lacking in at the time) and giving unwanted advice after Yuuri's hard-earned victory. Yuuri ends up so angry that he walks away so he wouldn't make a scene.
* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13034223/9/A-Discordant-Note A Discordant Note]]'', Hala, a part-giant, is told by a local courtesan she'd make a very exotic whore. While the courtesan means it as a compliment, being a whore herself, Hala is naturally quite insulted.

* ''Fanfic/Team8'': Naruto appreciates Hinata's willingness to work hard and get dirty, but when he tries to compliment her, it comes out as "I like how you're like a boy, instead of a girl." Understandably, she's rather upset, and then confused when he tries to explain.

* In ''WebVideo/YuYuHakushoAbridged'', Suzaku (who is a redneck) tries to compliment Yusuke.
-->'''Suzaku:''' You and I seem to be of an even intemellect, Detective.\\
'''Yusuke:''' You take that back right the [[PrecisionFStrike fuck]] now.

* In the Creator/AgathaChristie novel ''Literature/TheMirrorCrackdFromSideToSide'', Heather Babcock meets actress Marina Gregg and immediately launches into a story about how Marina was her favorite actress, and how many years ago, she had been sick but had ignored the doctor's orders to go get Marina's autograph. Literature/MissMarple and her friend Mrs. Bantry speculate that Marina probably doesn't like being reminded how many years she's been acting. [[spoiler: Actually, it was an Compliment Backfire for an entirely different reason: Marina had caught German Measles from Heather on that earlier occasion. Marina was pregnant at the time, and the illness resulted in serious birth defects.]]
* In the third book of ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'', a number of the men start calling Sam "Sam the Slayer" after he claims to have killed one of the Others. Sam is mad when his friends pick it up, but Grenn explains that while others might be using the name to mock him, Sam's friends know that he actually ''did'' kill the Other and has more than earned it.

* In the backstory of ''[[Literature/FortunesOfWar Dreadnought!]]'', the main character Piper brought her Vulcan friend Sarda's research to the attention of his superiors, thinking it would help his career. Unfortunately, they figured out a way to weaponize it and did give him a commendation, but he was thoroughly humiliated by the warping of his intentions and the public attention it brought him. Even worse, his fellow Vulcans ostracized him over the perceived immorality of his work, causing him no end of problems in his personal life. Needless to say, Piper and Sarda's relationship fell apart after that, and didn't really come back together until the events of the book were over.

--> '''Sheldon:''' You tell people I'm a ''rocket scientist''??? ...Why don't you just tell people I'm a toll-taker at the Golden Gate Bridge? Rocket scientist. How humiliating.

'''Monica:''' ''[angrily]'' Why wouldn't I be married by 30?\\

'''Kareem:''' ''[turning to Mr. Belding]'' Mr. Belding, we need to talk.

'''Julie:''' ''[hugging him]'' I feel so silly.\\
'''J.D.'s Narration:''' ''[sniffing her]'' Ah, Mommy.

* Music/WeirdAlYankovic's "That's Your Horoscope for Today": "You are the true lord of the dance, no matter what those idiots at works say."

* Music/FlightOfTheConchords' "Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)" is an extended form of this, a lovely Music/{{Prince}}-esque serenade towards a romantic interest, including such gems as how she's "the most beautiful girl in the... [[OverlyNarrowSuperlative room]]," and how "when you're on the street, depending on the street, I bet you are definitely in the top three..."
-->''You're so beautiful... you could be a waitress...''\\
''You're so beautiful... you could be an air hostess in the 60's''\\
''You're so beautiful... you could be a part-time model...''

--> '''Ocean''': You know I envy you?
--> '''Constance''': No you don't Ocean.
--> '''Ocean''': No, I do. I mean, I got straight "A"s since I was in grade one. I was working towards something. I was building a life. You? You were satisfied doing nothing! Making cupcakes, eating them. You are what the Taoists call an un-carved block.
--> '''Constance''': I'm ''a block''?
--> '''Ocean''': Just learn to take a compliment!

* In ''{{Theatre/Waitress}}'', Dr. Pomatter affectionately compares Jenna to a waitress he once knew that he had a crush on as a kid. Unfortunately, he [[ThatCameOutWrong opens by commenting that said waitress must be in her forties by now]]. Luckily, he quickly backpedals and clarifies that he meant that Jenna reminds him of how nice she was to him.

* ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'': In the ''Maximum Impact'' sub-series, Rock Howard attempts to be polite and respectful to Mai Shiranui by calling her "aunt". Not only is it technically true (Rock was adopted by Terry Bogard, and Mai is engaged to Terry's brother Andy), he's actually being extra nice by recognizing her as family despite the fact that she and Andy aren't married yet. Mai just sees it as [[MaamShock Rock calling her old]] and flips out on the poor kid.
* When [[TheMissionary Angelico]] of ''VideoGame/DeadInVinland'' attempts to say "words of love" to his crush [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Kari]], she does ''not'' take it well (partly because of her HairTriggerTemper and partly because of her [[InconvenientAttraction conflicted]] [[{{Tsundere}} feelings]] toward him). When he tells her that her hair looks pretty today, she asks if she usually looks like shit. When he reassures her that [[DiggingYourselfDeeper she always looks beautiful]], [[UnkemptBeauty even when she's coming back from exploration covered in mud]], she gets offended that he's implying she's dirty and smelly.

-->'''Squit''': I wanna be a tough bird, like you, Pesto.
-->'''Pesto''': Whaddaya mean by that?
-->'''Squit''': I just mean you're tough, that's all.
-->'''Pesto''': Are you sayin' I'm an overdone piece of meat? Is that what you're sayin'?
-->'''Squit''': No, that's not what I'm saying.
-->'''Pesto''': I am tough?
-->'''Squit''': Yeah, that's what I'm sayin'.
-->'''Pesto''': DAT'S IT!!!! [he starts to beat up Squit]

* Amy from ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' does this to Leela a lot. To whit:
-->'''Amy:''' Those are great shoes!\\
'''Leela:''' Thank you.\\
'''Amy:''' Do they come in women's sizes?\\
''[Leela smashes Amy with the Planet Express Ship stairway ramp]''
* ''WesternAnimation/ChipNDaleRescueRangers'' had a poodle actress (dog food commercials, Franchise/{{Lassie}} takeoffs and the like) as a recurring guest star. ''Every time'' someone says how much they admire her, they tell her they've been fans for years and years. And years. And years...

''[Katara makes an offended grunt]''\\

* On ''WesternAnimation/JimmyTwoShoes'', Lucius gets [[RichBitch Jez]] a giant, solid gold statue of herself for her birthday. her reaction? "So you're saying I'm big? Is that it?"
* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/SnooperAndBlabber'' the duo are disguised as servants protecting the valuable diamond of a matron whose 65th birthday is being celebrated. Snooper gets the cake thrown in his face after quipping to her "You'll never see 60 again!"

* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Littlest Pet Shop|2012}}'', Blythe is impressed over the stuck-up Biskit twins' unusual math skills, that she asks them to join her Math team for the day. Although she compliments them for being "geniuses", the twins somehow take it as an insult. They agree to join her if she can get them out of detention and:
-->'''Whitney Biskit:''' Stop calling us "geniuses". Someone might hear you.\\
'''Blythe:''' Easy enough...
* In the ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'' episode "The Fancy Party", the [[EvilOldFolks ancient and sinister]] [[GodSaveUsFromTheQueen Queen Entozoa]] is getting ready to choose which of a group of villains (including Lord Hater) will receive the empire she's spent a thousand years building. One of the villains awkwardly quips "You're a thousand years old? You don't look a day over four hundred!", and gets dragged away and tortured... because Entozoa sees such blatant and desperate buttering-up as a sign of weakness.

'''Crimson:''' ''[recoiling]'' You're throwing a lot of positive emotions my way, and I don't know what to do with that.
* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'': Peter triggers Lois's midlife crisis by calling her his "reliable, old plow horse".
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Daria}}'', Quinn goes to see plastic surgeon, Dr. Shar about getting a nose job. Dr. Shar however says she wouldn't do anything to Quinn's nose, calling it a "pretty little schnoz." Quinn then exclaims, "It's a ''schnoz''?!" Dr. Shar then has to backtrack a little bit.

** Of course it's an insult. "D'reg" isn't the D'reg name for D'regs; it's a word from a different Klatchian dialect that they [[InsultBackfire gleefully adopted]], meaning "enemy". The D'reg word for "enemy" also translates as "target". They love to fight. They're an entire, richly-textured culture of cartoonish cliches.

* The compliment comes across as dismissive; for example, YoureCuteWhenYoureAngry, which suggests the speaker cares more about Alice's looks than about her emotional state.

->''"You're a stand-up guy, Franchise/{{Bat|man}}s. Don't ever let them call you a crazed loner."''
-->-- '''ComicBook/TheFlash''', ''[[WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Justice League Unlimited]]''

* Seigi in ''LightNovel/TheCaseFilesOfJewelerRichard'' compliments Richard for almost everything, but especially and explicitly his beauty. Constantly. But Richard hates his appearance and is very self-conscious about his good looks.

* ''Series/TopGear'': Jeremy Clarkson, MeanBrit extraordinaire, makes a somewhat bizarre comment when faced with a rather attractive young American lass.

'''Michelle:''' Before they had a hit song, and everybody loved them, and they opened for [[Music/RollingStones the Stones]]--\\

* In a flashback of ''Series/OurFlagMeansDeath'', Stede Bonnet, upon looking at a painting of a lighthouse, declares that he didn't know his children were so good at art. The painting was actually done by his wife, who is clearly none too happy at his assumption.

* ''Manga/FateKaleidLinerPrismaIllya'' has Ruby's "compliments" for Ilya after it's revealed that Ilya can fly so easily because she's a DaydreamBeliever of {{Magical Girl}}s.
-->'''Ruby:''' Look at Ilya-san! Skip logic or the process and only imagine the result! Like that, optimistic thoughts are better than practical ones for being a MagicalGirl! \\
'''Ilya:''' Somehow, since a little while ago, you've been saying cruel things!?\\
'''Ruby:''' No no, I was praising you. Having an empty head means you can stuff it with more dreams. \\
'''Ilya:''' Don't just selfishly make people into [[IdiotHero idiot characters]]!

* ''WesternAnimation/EightCrazyNights'' has [[JerkAss Davey]] call a fat teenager "jelly jugs" and tell him to wear a bra, making him cry. Whitey then calmly reassures the kid that he has very nice boobs, and that only makes him cry harder.

** "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E6Dalek Dalek]]", in which the (supposedly) last surviving pepperpot compliments the Doctor on his ruthlessness, claiming that he would make a good Dalek... [[YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame They now have their own trope.]]

* Mary Whitehouse, patron saint of MoralGuardians in the UK, once praised ''Series/TheGoodies'' as the sort of decent, wholesome television she'd like to see more of. The boys were horrified, and rapidly produced an episode called "Sex and Violence", featuring Beryl Reid as "Mrs. Desiree Carthorse".
* Under Tony Blair, the UK government drew up a list of celebrities to be encouraged as good role models for children. When actress Emma Thompson found out she was on the list she told the press her immediate reaction was "an overwhelming desire to go out and score a load of cocaine in rebellion."