Is handsome a compliment?

Question

I was just wondering because I've always been called handsome and never anything else and always hated. to me it was always just something you call somebody that is not gooding but a good person to make them feel better. although recently I've found out there are definitions.

so for the guys, do you like being called handsome?

for guys and girls, what is your definition of handsome?

and I apologize if this is in the wrong category.

gray_sailor · Accepted Answer

This is a void in the language.

What we need is a way to compliment a man's physical appearance that would be improper for his mother to use. Handsome is appropriate for his mother to use therefore it lacks the desired emotional punch that you would want from a woman you were sexually interested in.

Think of it this way: the proper word, if said by a guy's mother, should imply incest. It would be scandalous for her to say it, therefore she would not. The word would convey the desired additional meaning is said by a fellow's love interest.

Consider this imperfect example:

What if a woman described her son as "fuckable"?
Scandslous! Horifying! Right?

Now let a girlfriend say that her man if "fuckable". That's appropriate and desireable. It also expresses the sense of attraction I think you are looking for. We just need a term with this sensibility that was not vulgar. Hmm...

Now that I think about it, I suspect this void in the language is somewhat intentional. I think for women there is a desire to preserve ambiguity and deniability. That sounds about right.

Smurphy88 · Accepted Answer

I've always been called handsome by close family and friends, so I guess you could consider them biased.

I guess it depends. If a girl really likes you, and she says you are handsome/cute/gorgeous/adorable, it doesn't matter whether it is true or not (also remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder), the fact that she cares about you enough to complement you on your looks should be more then sufficient for you. If you consider yourself unnatractive, you don't get called handsome by family and friends, but your girlfriend/boyfriend constantly complements you on your looks, that's when you truly know what a special person you have, because you know they are seeing past your looks, and truly love you for you. ;)

fellylove · Accepted Answer

handsome is good looking (:

haha its a good thing when girls call you handsome. that means your really reallly cute, which you kinda are (;

so be proud to be called that, because most guys don't get that kinda compliment.

<3

mefink31 · Answer

I think its misused to reject guys while sparing feelings way too often! Because of this it has taken on a less kind nature than its meant as. add onto that that it kinda a dead societal word to begin with and a bit out of date not used by anyone but moms and grandmas anymore it loses its value for girls to use these days. Fact is most guys I know will be insulted by use cause it has adopted that nature by the overuse as a polite rejection term! Ladies don't use handsome if you actually like a guy you will hurt any chances girls because for most men it holds a negative relation to its meaning! Usually cause a girl used handsome in same sentences she hurt him with via breakup or rejection. even if u mean it as a compliment it will 99% time be seen as a rejection and guys gonna be waiting for a but... situation cause of it! Men do not like the word handsome so don't use it ladies!

madfox · Answer

handsome is something a mom or grandma would say. unless you're called that when you're all dressed up then that's okay. but for our age I think only being called cute/hot works for us.

JeffreyC92021 · Answer

Yes, I always take that as a compliment and believe it should be. It's basically the male equivalent to "pretty" for a female.

Anonymous · Answer

it most definitely is a compliment. I for one, hate using the word hot, I think it's overrated and overused. I would call a guy handsome

Anonymous · Answer

No. "Handsome" is nothing but sugarcoated way for women to say you're just another average face in the crowd.

blackandwhite · Answer

Ive always used Handsome as a complement... Means good looking or attractive.

Juliana77 · Answer

handsome: good looking

lumos · Answer

Handsome is the male equivalent of "beautiful".

RedThread · Answer

Handsome is absolutely a compliment.

serious · Answer

I think it is.

Is handsome a compliment?

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