got called "dapper"

[globetrotter]

didn't like it. Saturday, wore charcoal nailhead double breasted suit, contrast collar check shirt, charcoal cashmere tie and a kent wang pocket square in gray. a friend of my wife/mother of a friend of my son's said "you look very dapper today".

dapper wasn't quite what I was looking for.

how do you guys feel about that word?

 

[sfnewbie]

I think it's funny when people complain about getting complimented. Unless she said it in a sarcastic, snotty way then take it as a compliment and realize not everyone knows the perfect terminology to use when someone looks great. What's wrong with it anyways? It's just a term for someone that looks nice and stylish.

Just my $.02

 

[whiteslashasian]

I don't have a problem with being called "dapper" especially if I'm wearing something nice enough to warrant the compliment. For example, wearing a 3 piece suit could be "dapper" whereas slacks with a shirt and tie in my mind is not terribly "dapper". However I would be glad to get a compliment either way.

I believe that "dapper" is just a compliment that you're looking stylish, above and beyond the norm.

 

[Flieger]

It is a nerdy word. I agree with you globe.
I feel it is a typical thing to say for someone who is poorly dressed, he will try to make you feel slightly uncomfortable while packaging it as a compliment.

 

[Zenny]

Ah what fresh hell is this, where compliments are misconstrued.

 

[life_interrupts]

Originally Posted by Zenny

Ah what fresh hell is this, where compliments are misconstrued.
+1. Take the compliment for what it's worth.

 

[merkur]

..

 

[Sanguis Mortuum]

Maybe the word's connotations are different over there, but over here being called dapper would almost always be a good thing...

 

[designprofessor]

I wouldn't take it negatively.
I think people use it in a positive way when they want to say something beyond, "hey, nice suit".

 

[82-Greg]

Also consider the source of the compliment.

To some people--particularly those with several years under the belt--dapper is only a compliment.

 

[BostonRussell]

Originally Posted by Zenny

Ah what fresh hell is this, where compliments are misconstrued.

+1 for both sentiment and phrasing.

 

[Spatlese]

No problem with me. I'v been called that as well, and typically from ladies (of various ages). Those kinds of compliments I'll gladly take in spades.

 

[globetrotter]

sorry - let me clarify: I think that she meant it as a compliment. I am not sure that that is the complement that I would like to get.

to me, dapper strikes me as sort of like "cute", or almost eccentric - maybe tom wolfe is dapper. I am not upset at her, I am not terribly happy with the effect of my appearance, when it generates that particular adjective

 

[whiteslashasian]

Originally Posted by Spatlese

No problem with me. I'v been called that as well, and typically from ladies (of various ages). Those kinds of compliments I'll gladly take in spades.

I forgot to mention that almost every time I get the "dapper" compliment it's coming from a lady. Always a nice conversation starter

 

[bluemagic]

Better sell off all that dapper clothing for cheap on B&S, then.