It’s so frustrating when someone tries to tell you what to do with your appearance or life choices when you didn’t even ask them. In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to lose your patience or give them a snappy response to hurt their feelings, but that’s going to make you come off just as rude. They’ve got that covered, so respond with class instead and choose one of these 15 comebacks.
1. “If judgment were a sport, you’d win a gold medal.”
Sometimes, laughter is the best way to deal with nasty comments. So, when someone says, “You should lose weight” or “Why do you style your hair like that?” you can respond with a laugh before saying, “If judgment were a sport, you’d win a gold medal.” This comeback is great because it turns the attention back onto the person and humorously takes a jab at their judgmental comments without hurting their feelings.
2. “Are we auditioning for the role of Simon Cowell today?”
By asking the person something like, “Are we auditioning for the role of Simon Cowell today?” you’re injecting a bit of humor into the situation, without losing your cool. Everyone knows that Simon Cowell was judgmental on reality shows like American Idol, so referencing him is a good way to shut down someone’s comments without getting too personal about what they’ve said.
3. “I’m flattered by your interest in my life.”
Just because you’re choosing to be classy doesn’t mean you can’t turn the tables on the person being mean to you. A gentle yet sarcastic comment such as, “I’m flattered by your interest in my life” puts them on the spot and makes them check themselves. Why are they so interested in you? You’re hinting that by being so interested in your life, the person’s obsessed or jealous, which will make them stop.
4. “I’m comfortable with my choices.”
If someone’s judging your choices, such as the career you want to pursue or the person you’ve chosen to date, it’s none of their business. Let them know that you feel great about the choices you made, and show them that only what you think matters, not their comments. By using this comeback, you’re subtly asking why they should care about what you choose.
5. “I choose to surround myself with positivity and support.”
You want to be around people who uplift you, not bring you down. By giving the judgy person this comment, you’re telling them that you’re not going to waste time with people who judge you. This is an indirect way of telling them to back down, without stooping to their level. It will hopefully also make them take stock of their behavior.
6. “But enough about me. How are you doing?”
To rise above the situation, show the person just how little you’re considering their mean words by asking them about themselves. They’ll probably be taken by surprise at the change of subject, but have no choice but to oblige you by talking about their day or the latest news. Once the focus is off you, you can breathe again.
7. “Thank you so much.”
It’s sometimes difficult to imagine thanking the person who’s hurt you, but this can help you to navigate the situation with class. You’re taking the high road while surprising the person with gratitude, especially if they expected you to lose your temper or reply with a nasty comment. When you flip the script by saying, “Thank you,” it makes it difficult for the person to exert power over you.
8. “Luckily my choices aren’t affecting you.”
Your choices are your own, and reminding the person about this can be powerful. This comeback communicates that their opinions are not welcome and you’re not considering them in your decision-making process. Instead of focusing on the hurtful comment they’ve made, it draws attention to your right to make your own choices, according to your values and preferences.
9. “Let’s build each other up instead of putting each other down.”
When dealing with someone who’s judgmental, it’s good to take a step back and focus on the bigger picture. By suggesting that you focus on encouraging each other instead of belittling each other, you send the clear message that you’re not going to accept their negativity. It sets a positive example, concentrating on empathy and kindness.
10. “I knew you’d say that!”
Instead of telling the person how their comment has hurt you, it might be enough to shut them down by saying, “I knew you’d say that!” You’re basically saying that you expected this kind of rudeness from them, without blatantly saying it. It’s an effective way of telling the person that what they’re saying isn’t original or newsworthy because you’ve heard it before. Ouch!
11. “We have totally different opinions here.”
This comeback is similar to saying, “Let’s agree to disagree.” Clearly, the person judging you doesn’t agree with your choices and they’re making a big deal of it. However, you’re diffusing the hurtfulness of their comment by pointing out that you have different ideas and opinions. It cultivates a spirit of acceptance and tolerance, telling the other person that you’re different and that’s okay.
12. “Cool, I respect your opinion so please respect mine.”
If it’s not enough to tell the other person that you have different opinions, you could say this. This shuts down the conversation they were hoping to have and can help you move on from their harsh comments with a kinder vibe. You’re gently putting them in their place and ending the conversation. Nice one.
13. “Everyone’s journey is unique and I’m loving mine.”
Someone who’s judging you wants to put you down. They want to see you hurt by what they have to say, not joyous. So, the best way to deal with them is to show them how happy you are! This comeback serves to do that by reminding them that everyone’s living their own life and you love yours. It also shows that you’re not hurt by what they have to say, which is powerful.
14. “I’m not going to be offensive back if that’s what you want.”
If you feel that the person is being confrontational to get a response out of you or enter into a fight, this comeback will help you rise above the escalating tension. It draws attention to their offensive behavior while putting them on the spot. Often, people who dish judgy comments are desperate for a reaction, so this calls them out on it in a classy way.
15. “Are you okay?”
It’s good to show the person that you’re not taking their comment personally. Shifting the focus onto them helps you achieve this effortlessly, like asking if they’re okay. They’ll be thrown by your approach, wondering what it is about them that’s making you concerned. It’s a nice way to make them focus on their attitude and behavior instead of you.
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