Ep. 2: That’s NOT a Compliment

Every woman has heard these:

• “You’re too pretty to work here.”
  Translation: I don’t take you seriously.

• “You’re smarter than you look.”
  Translation: Your value is your face, intelligence is surprising.

• “You remind me of my mom.”
  Translation: Accidental emotional incest.

• “You’re tough for someone so pretty.”
  Translation: Professional ability… shocking from a woman with eyebrows.

It’s like being complimented and disrespected at the same time.
A verbal pat on the head.

These are not compliments.
These are business casual backhands.

Why It’s Actually a Problem

Let’s get straight to it: when a man comments on your looks at work, he’s redefining the power dynamic without your permission.

Here’s what it does instantly:

1. It shifts the focus from work to your body. Suddenly your skills are a bonus prize to your appearance.

2. It puts you into “attractive object” status instead of “professional.”

3. It forces you to respond “gracefully” because you can’t offend the person who might control your opportunities. It’s a trap — smile too much, you’re flirting; shut it down too hard, you’re “dramatic.”

4. If you ignore it, people say you’re “cold.” If you acknowledge it, people think it’s mutual.

There’s no winning. Which is why you need strategy, not emotions.

How to Respond Without Losing Power

We shared two effective tactics — both involve weaponizing your composure.

Option 1: Ask a Calm, Deadly Question

Just look at him and say: “What do you mean by that?”

No attitude. No shocked face. Just curiosity.

Suddenly he has to explain himself out loud. It’s the corporate version of turning a flashlight on a cockroach.

Men don’t fear consequences. They fear embarrassment.

Option 2: Pretend You Didn’t Hear It and Keep Talking Business

This works when you’re too busy making money to babysit egos.

Example: He says, “You’re way too pretty to be this smart.”
You respond with, “Anyway, the client contract—”

You didn’t reward him, you didn’t challenge him, you didn’t flirt. He got nothing.
You kept the agenda where it belongs: your work.

This is long-term paycheck strategy. You don’t fight every mosquito — you focus on building the empire they’re buzzing around.

When It Crosses the Line

If it’s repetitive, targeted, or makes you uncomfortable enough to change how you act at work, that’s harassment.

That’s when you document & ESCALATE!

Some cases need policy. Some need discomfort.
Your job is to pick the one that protects your goals.

Story Time

Anastasia’s Story

A grown man once told me he’d “never want to date someone like me” because I’m:

• too detailed

• too focused at work

• too busy to chat with him

He thought he insulted me.
BUT All he did was accidentally list why I’m successful and he’s standing in a doorway trying to “hang out.”

Madison’s Story

She did an entire professional presentation — like a real one, with value, graphs, strategy — and at the end, the man she was pitching to basically ignored the content and hit on her.

Final Lesson: Choose Strategy Over Emotion

Men will sometimes say dumb things they didn’t even mean to say — their impulse control is just… lacking.
You don’t need to be offended every time.
You don’t need to report every incident.
You need to stay in power. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.

Here’s the rule:

If the comment doesn’t affect your paycheck, your promotion, or your peace, treat it like office spam. Delete it and keep moving.

If it does affect those things? Then you address it like a CEO — directly, strategically, and without apology.

Got a Creepy Corporate Compliment?

If someone at work has ever tried to “compliment” you in a way that made your skin crawl — CONFESS HERE.

Your horror story might just be the lesson that helps another woman get to the top. 💋🔥