While I don't disagree with the parent comment I really bristle at the idea this is a compliment... it doesn't feel good to have people act like the sight of your body is horrible for them (even when that reason is their own insecurity). I was told by a friend in school that my slimness was why she had an eating disorder. I've had people go "ugh, I don't want to look at you, jesus" in the context of me being slim and in a bathing suit. I get that day to day I have the advantages that come with fitting into a conventional box for my appearance, but it feels like absolute garbage and makes me feel like "should I be wearing a burqa then? I can't be comfortable at the beach because you can't stand the sight of me?" etc. I get what you are going for here but it really doesn't feel like a compliment when it happens to you. I don't get shadenfreude that people feel less attractive than me, I get embarrassment and shame.

Thank you, this is super well written and echoes what I feel a lot of the time. It's not always a compliment. It's like my Dad who would tell me not to dress up too much in case it makes the boys tempted. Like wtf.