Do you take offence when someone calls you a name that meant to be a compliment?

Question

When someone calls me a gentleman I seeth, inside, but try not to show it.
Most of the worst people in British history were so called gentlemen.

I've been called some really viscious and nasty names but they don't bother me, I just don't understand it.

Answer 1

I really don't like strangers calling me "Brother." They aren't my brothers, I save that for my real ones.
EDIT - for the thumb down troll, my real brother died of cancer at 31, leaving a wife and two small children. Brother has special meaning to me and I don't appreciate hearing it from some loud happy drunk.

Answer 2

The real way to look at this is about you. There is always a way for someone to make bad name for a term. However, that doesn't take away from what the term stands to mean. Being called a Gentleman is a compliment. In a society where manners come second to political correctness sometimes, and where men more often than not won't hold a door for a woman - it a positive. Trust me when I say, as you said yourself, there are infinitely worse names with no positive connotations.

Answer 3

Most people don't know the true origin of most words used in the English language first off. Second, American English has butchered the original language so badly that no one really understands it. Lastly, if you ever do feel like you're beginning to get a handle on American English, a new slang term is introduced and totally confuses you again.

Bottom line don't take offense because we all say something that bothers someone at one time or another!

Answer 4

Oh dear I think I once called you a gentleman, jeez I always call my hubby a gentleman as he is the most gentle loving man I have ever met and a true gentleman too, I hope I didn't make you seethe too much as it really was a compliment.

Answer 5

The term "gentleman" has been tarnished by the past deeds of other men. But a gentleman is still a gentleman. Be happy you are being used to bring the term back to it's proper use!

Answer 6

I'm a lady and I love to be called it, woman or girl is fine too, and I love when a man is a gentleman. Just the word itself is sweet.

Answer 7

Its no longer a curse neither a compliment on account it is rooted interior us as a naughty person. Its purely a classic thoughts-set expressed by utilising the folk who lack interest or maybe the silent ones.

Answer 8

I used to be called Pato which is short for Patricia. Pato in spanish means duck. I told my mother in law not to call me that anymore, but she still does, even though I sigh cards with my name. She just doesnt get it!! and she cant even spell it right!!

Answer 9

I don't think so...I can't remember...possibly the first time (back in the stoneage) when someone said "yes mam". It's nice now, not so much when I was 16.

Answer 10

it depends if a word means a compliment to them but insults you then i would take offence but people never klnow what you think unless you tell them so if you don't like that name tell them