1 Hair Color
By Jennifer • 26 Comments
She may be young in years, but 19-year-old Vanessa Papastavros already knows the agony of being "paid" a backhanded, sexist compliment. So she's drawn the perfect responses to the passive-aggressive body-shaming anti-compliments we've all heard — and they're awesome. Here's a sampling.
Whether you're navigating the single scene with grace or sometimes fumble through the dating game, you've likely encountered the old, "You're too pretty to be single" line. When faced with this veiled insult, arm yourself with a clever retort such as, "Thanks, I'm holding out for someone who recognizes I'm more than just a pretty face," or "I appreciate that! I'm single by choice, enjoying the opportunity to find someone truly worthy." Flaunt your independence and confidence; your relationship status is your power, not a plea for patronizing remarks.
Snarky retorts are essential when someone hits you with that old line, "You're such a great person, it's hard to believe you're not married yet." Raising an eyebrow and replying with, "Well, I'm more concerned with being happy than just being someone's wife," can serve as a gutsy comeback. It turns the table on the underlying assumption that marriage is the ultimate goal for everyone. Sometimes, the best defense is an offense that champions your own values and choices, leaving no room for anyone to question them again.
The audacity to comment on your bold choice of eyeshadow can be enough to make your mascara run – but not today, honey! When they hit you with a "Wow, that's a lot of makeup for a casual day," you can dab that highlighter with pride and retort with, "Thanks! I’m really enjoying expressing myself, it’s like my face is my own personal canvas." Let your lips shine with that extra glitter gloss and remember, makeup is your armor, and every brush stroke is a battle won.
And a few extra bonus panels, just in case...
This image is of a young woman with a confident, beautiful expression on her face. The accompanying caption is a reminder that we should all have a few comebacks ready for backhanded compliments. It's important to remember that we are not obligated to take criticism from others, and we should never be afraid to stand up for ourselves. This image is a great reminder to all women that they are strong, capable, and beautiful, and they should never let anyone make them feel otherwise.
To see more of Vanessa's amazingly fabulous work, follow her on Tumblr at vanscribbles.tumblr.com. Seriously. Do it now!