If someone is constantly calling you skinny, would it be ok then to call them fat?

Question

Just curious... I did that and the person got offended. I was offended first. What do you think?

Answer 1

Say:"Hello,you great big donut"

Answer 2

I think calling them fat would be more effective and appropriate as a way to highlight their insensitivity than if you were just trying to enact some sort of revenge.

However, if they were constantly calling you skinny they shouldn't be so huffy when you point out the fact that they aren't. After all, you both are already likely aware of the conditions of your bodies. I don't see why they should assume it's fully appropriate for them to point out what seems obvious to them if you can't do the same. But I also don't have a lot of appreciation for hypocritical behaviour.

There are a number of factors here; for instance, if you're actually that skinny and if they're actually that fat, and if you had asked them to stop previously. However, the simple answer in my perception would be that though your response isn't necessarily polite, it's justified.

Answer 3

(-: No, two wrongs do not make a right, and two rudes does not make it cool. But I bet it was *really* satisfying for a few minutes.

You can either say right off the bat, "You (or People) are always calling me skinny, and I don't know what to say. What would you say?" Or you can call them "Fatso," and when they aren't amused, say, "Now you know how I feel when you call me skinny."

I think one problem is that skinny can be positive or negative -- a lot of people would kill to be skinny. But fat is almost always a negative judgement.

You could try to take the "skinny" as a compliment, and say "Thank you, I work hard at it." (-: Even if you don't. I know it's hard to change your own thinking, but it's *really* hard to change someone else's thinking.

Answer 4

Sadly, not all adjectives are created equal. Many people want to be called skinny and consider it a compliment. If however you felt slighted, perhaps next time you should begin with a disclaimer like "Well as long as we're trading insults..."

Answer 5

When people poke or pinch me in my side and point out how skinny I am (which happens alot), I usually poke them right back. Sadly people think "skinny" is a compliment. No wonder so many people have complexes with their weight.

Answer 6

i think it would depend on your relationship with the person. A lot of people call me skinny, I don't take offense to it and they still joke about how they're larger than me.

Answer 7

You can get away with it, Jim, not by calling him 'fat', but rhyming his "skinny' with 'tubby'. That should give him the message that you are not keen on the title, without being rude.

Answer 8

No you should have done it the very first time they said it. That you have set the ground rules not them..
The alpha dog rules and the scenery for the rest of the pack is the same!

Answer 9

That you were both being rude, and that his rudeness doesn't excuse yours. When you're offended, say "I'm offended". If the offender persists, simply forget that you know him, and find a replacement.

Answer 10

I don't see a problem with it myself. They started the deal, all you did was finish it. There's nothing wrong with standing up for yourself when you feel the other person is being a jerk.

Answer 11

The word "fat" is a more offensive term in our culture than "skinny," partly due to the whole fashionable "heroin chic" thing.