I am surprised people are so surprised by this - it's a time-honored compliment sub-genre...also known as giving it with one hand and taking it away with the other...or anti-flattery.
Some of the. great ones I'd received or overheard:
For such a big girl, you don't sweat much.
(To my daughter, at 12, from her aunt, my sister- and my daughter is renowned for her smile): You would have such a beautiful smile if your teeth weren't so big.
Too bad the rest of your body isn't like your legs. You have great legs.
Many start with the foundation of 'you would...if only'
You would be pretty if you would only lose weight.
You would be popular if only you weren't boring.
You're smart, but men like a woman who can cook.
