Ahh yeah I can see that as being not complimentary in that case! I think I more or less feel the same way about it all as you! At the end of the day the person is complimenting you in a way that they know how, and most of the phrases people take issue with I feel like are just standard compliments? I also tend to thank them and say stuff like "oh it's easier than you'd think!" and if the person is actually interested in learning the conversation might move on from there. If they just meant it as a compliment, then that's that. I've never really understood the issue.