When someone says you're not half bad looking, isn't a derogatory terminology not a compliment?

[Jamdonut]

Why do people take being called not half bad looking as a compliment isn't it more of a insult your basically saying the person isn't fully bad looking but only half bad looking it doesn't make sense to me?

[CheeseLoveWhiz]

I personally use it as subtle way of saying someone's hot if I'm too nervous to say it. It's a compliment.

[blondekat13]

If a girl says it, it is a simple way of saying you aren't pretty but you aren't ugly. :/

[justaregularguyy]

How is that bad?

Why the bad face?

[blondekat13]

It is more of a so-so face. I met a boy and he was so-so looking and he asked the same question. He also really liked me and wasn't afraid to show it, but that was really what made him look just so-so to me.

[blondekat13]

It honestly is determined by how you treat the person half the time. :)

[Ruby666]

Id take it as a compliment and an insult. Id probably think about it all day

[crazyincalifornia]

Yeah either the person is joking, or slighting you.

[Anonymous]

I usually assume they are discussing my anus.