Is “exotic” a compliment? or is it some other thing?

[Anonymous]

I’m half blk half white and I’ve been called either exotic or unique a few times. Usually by complete strangers or some people in school I’ve never even talked to before. I don’t really think about it because it doesn’t happen extremely often. However, on Friday when I went up to my chem teacher to ask a question on the lab we were doing he said I had a distinctive and exotic look. When people say this is it like a compliment? Or like something else? I would assume it’s bc I’m different looking but at the same time most people in my school are Hispanic/ latino so people who look like me aren’t even uncommon so I’m confused

[provokeesmokee]

God no. White people think it's a compliment, but it's just them having a weird racial fetish.

Usually people who would describe you as "exotic" are the same who will raucously claim they CAN'T be racist because they have a Black friend (aka the most white person response that is also racist).

I've only ever found people who use "exotic" as a descriptor for other humans to be the most passive aggressive racist white shitbags ever.

Be very careful around people like that. They don't even realize how hurtful they are.

[leahzrc]

it seems like a backhanded compliment but I can't explain how I'm white

[Anonymous]

It's a compliment take it and run girl. I have two beautiful mixed daughters and they receive compliments daily

[TiaNour]

One time someone said that to me and I was confused lol. I’m mixed as well with my dad side being Lebanese and my mom side being Latina.

[Anonymous]

As a mixed person I don’t like that kind of compliment. Makes me feel like I’m an animal or something

[ProbablyClueless]

It's definitely meant as a compliment.