I find the comment " you have a babyface " to be extremely offensive. Am i just too sensitive ? What do you think?

I think you are being too sensitive. Not sure why having a ‘baby face’ is offensive? Do you have a round, smooth face? Doesn’t sound like a horrible thing to have to me?

I don’t understand how saying you have a babyface is any more rude, condescending, and offensive than saying you look like Grace Kelly or have Catherine Zeta Jones’ hair or commenting that someone’s red hair is really fiery. You might hate it, but I’m not sure it’s in any way a breach of etiquette. But maybe you have an argument as to why it would be rude and offensive?

I would take the term “babyface” as more of a compliment than an insult. To me, it’s used to describe someone with a real cute, round and youthful face. A face with a childlike innocence. A face with good skin. Essentially, they’re probably telling you that you’re adorable. Like, a baby. Hence, “babyface”. I mean, shit, it’s way better than a dogface.

You are way too sensitive. But there is a lot of that going around these days.

Depends. Some babies are really, really ugly!

I remember a time when that uses to be received with gladness. It is sure better than being in your late 20s and being mistaken for being in your late 30s. I could mean they thought you had soft smooth skin like that of a baby, you should pat yourself on the back, better than being told you have skin like shoe leather. One day you will look back and wish people seen you like that but all they will see is wrinkles.

Enjoy it while you can as that baby face will not last forever.

This is all down to interpretation isn’t it? What’s offensive to one, is potentially complimentary to another. In other words, there is no right or wrong, simply differing views. If you felt this way then that it’s right for you, don’t question your instinct.

To me, this comment would have been a compliment.

I do not understand why this comment was offensive to you?

I agree with you. I will be a 28 yr. old male in 3 days, and about 4 months ago, I went out on a business meeting and another guy commented on how much I probably have to grow even though I’m 6 feet tall (he thought I was like 16, and it was a very awkward situation)...I was incredibly embarrassed…and I remember when I was 23 buying alcohol, a store clerk checked my ID and said: “Oh my god! you’ve got such a baby face!” and for a long time that deflated my ego for being ‘manly’. So I guess it’s not the same for a woman, but those are some of the similar experiences I’ve had as a man.

Men love baby faces. Roundish shape, wide eyes, full lips, button nose, good skin, very symmetrical. It is a sign of youth. There are tons of actressess and singers who are baby faces and it is almost coveted. Baby face can mean sexually attractive all rolled up into one. Biologically it seems men know young means fertile somewhere in their subconscience.

I still get it and I’m almost 42. I realize I’m an outlier and that these days are numbered. Still, it’s not one of those things where suddenly at 35 I thought, Hooray, I still have a baby face! In my professional life, I’ve had to be a little more forceful than I think I would otherwise be were I tall and had a more adult-looking face. When I’m working, I want to be taken seriously, and not as a “small, cute girl”. I’m not a kitten.

I just roll with it at places like a party. Most people, not knowing the downside, would really love to have a very youthful appearance. But saying that in professional settings, IMO, is not appropriate. And usually, unconsciously, it’s paired with a bit of amazement that a small, cute person has said something mature and relevant. How about that? I’ve thought in those moments, A grown woman in her 40s might actually know what’s she’s talking about, baby face and all. :/

My husband hates being called cute and adorable, but he simply is, especially when he was younger. There is not one woman who says that with malice or to be offensive. Still, he hates it. He wants to be handsome or some other more manly discriptive word.

@aprilsimnel Good point. In a work setting is would be innappropriate, and can work against you in some professions probably. There would be some exceptions where it might be ok at work, but most corporate positions it might be more difficult to attain higher positions with a young face, at least initially.

@JLeslie got it.

When you get older, you will treasure those comments. Sounds like a compliment to me. Take it as one.

Baby face Aimee Teegarden

Baby Face Brittany Spears

Baby face Jessica Alba

Are you that wound up? That is nothing but a compliment…...Or at least I thought it did. What do you think it means?

In my opinion, you are being too sensitive. The baby face thing is usually taken as a compliment and not meant to offend.

I also agree with @josie that too many people nowadays are offended at too many things.

I wouldn’t like that comment in any setting, personally. When I think of babyfaces, I think round and fat and naive. Reading through this thread, however, the term obviously means very different things to different people. I guess it really depends on the delivery – if it was at a party, like you said in your question, maybe the person was not in their soberest state of mind.

I’ve been told that before and I consider it a compliment. My friend Eric has a baby face and that’s part of what makes him so adorable to me. :P

I’ve only heard one person use it as an insult, from a straight guy to another straight guy: “you’re the one with the baby face!”

I’m 40 and happy to have a babyface. I recently lost my driver’s license and was denied an alcohol purchase because I couldn’t prove my age. (I was upset because I couldn’t buy the alcohol, because I’m 40 dammit! but it was nice to feel I looked so young)

You’ll be happy with that babyface when you are older. btw- I got my babyface from my dad. He’s 76 and doesn’t mind the compliment either. ;)

I would have taken it as a compliment.

It’s not offensive and you’re not too sensitive but maybe you don’t like having a “babyface” because you’d rather have the image of pretty or gorgeous rather than “cute”? I’m just throwing this out there because I’m in my 40’s and have always hated my “babyface”. My brothers used to say “cute is for babies and monkeys”. People who have more mature or sharp features have no idea what it’s like, they usually mean no harm by it.

I’ll definitely back up what @jonsblond writes about appreciating my babyface now that I’m older, in fact it started working to my advantage in my 30’s.

Not necessarily, it could also imply that you still have some baby fat which makes you look younger. (I’m 20 and with my face relaxed and shaven, I have people ask me if I’m 17)

@aprilsimnel I can see the argument for it being an insult in the workplace – but I would also think any of those comments about your physical form wouldn’t be appropriate in the workplace until the people involved have gotten to know one another better.

@MyNewtBoobs – Unfortunately, I’ve heard those sentiments in more professional contexts than I’ve had any reason to expect.

You must have a babyface. The trick is to stop hating the fact that multiple people share this perspective and start embracing it. How? Bring it up first and don’t be negative about it.

Just a side note, I believe the correct term is “baby face” not “babyface.”

I can understand why you were offended. Saying that someone has a “baby face” can be seen as a sign that you don’t take the person seriously, that you think of him/her as a child. But I would try not to get too upset about it, though. When you get a little older, you will enjoy looking young.

I deal with this on a regular basis and don’t find it as flattery! I’m 31 years old and people assume I’m a college or high school age kid all the time! Store clerks have actually chuckled when they see my I.D. (after carding me for matches!) I’ve heard people who don’t know me refer to me in ways such as “that kid over there.” During summer, people have asked me if I’m on summer break from college! I don’t have a dominate/masculine personality either, so along with the baby face, this only complicates things worse! Woman my age pay little attention because they think I’m a kid! People don’t respect me as an adult man! And they’re not even aware they’re doing it. It’s just their brain interpreting my face as a kid the first time they see me. A baby face might be cute, but women don’t find it masculine or sexy. By early 30’s you expect to respected as an adult man. When you’re not, and it happens on a regular basis, having a baby face isn’t such a good deal.