Personally, I don't have a problem with comments (politely made, of course!). But, read around a bit and you'll find plenty of threads with people complaining that they don't like them at all. One complaint that I've noticed in particular is that if someone says, "Wow! You look great! You've lost weight haven't you?" the person on the receiving end takes it as an insult about how they USED to look rather than a compliment of how they look NOW.
I can't say I understand that kind of reaction. I suppose because weight issues can be so sensitive that those of us who struggle with them tend to assume the worst. I don't know. But, given that is the case, I can absolutely understand why someone would want to say something to a friend or spouse rather than directly to you. After all, if they are worried that you might be sensitve about your weight, as so many people are, it gives them an opportunity to pay you a compliment (obviously they know your DH is going to mention it to you) without risking offending you in any way.
So, I agree that it probably boils down to political correctness. I hate to say it but there are a LOT of people who are downright bitter about being overweight and the last thing they want to do is discuss it -even if the comments are complimentary. I think this makes the general public feel like they should be especially careful of what they say when it comes to diets and weight loss.
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